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Barraband Parakeet
by: Teresa Schnurr
Name:
The Barraband Parakeet is also known as the Superb Parrot. The scientific name is Polytelis Swainsonii.
Subspecies:
There are none.
Origin:
Australia. See map.
Conservation Status:
They are on the vulnerable list. In Australia there are 2 major breeding sites and in those regions it is estimated there are 50 breeding pairs. They estimate unless action is performed to stop the decline this bird will soon become endangered.
Size and Weight:
My Barraband Parakeet, Candy, is 122 grams and about 16 inches long. Due to the size of the tail and the large span of their wings this is a bird that requires a large cage.
Awards:
A Barraband Parakeet in the 1999 National Cage Bird Show (the largest bird show in the United States), won the American Federation of Aviculture Show and the Kellogg Division Trophy, and the Scannell Award for best bird in the entire show. This marked the first time any one bird won all three of the show's most prestigious awards.
Diet:
They eat all types of food. I feed my birds sprouts, fresh vegetables and fruit each day, progrow, birdie muffins, rice, pasta, whole grains etc. Candy is a very good eater and a curious one!
Coloring:
Barraband’s are breathtaking when it comes to color. Their bright green is highlighted with aqua on their heads and wing tips. The sun just bounces off those colors. Males have the yellow crest and chin coloring with the red stripe. This coloring does not appear though until the bird turns about 18 months old. Their beak is a lovely pale red almost orange color. Their long tail is brilliant greens with the under size being a very dark almost black color. Their eyes are black with a gold ring. The female does not have the bright yellow or red. I have attached a picture of a male and female.
Speed:
They are very quick and easily flighted birds. Even with wings clipped they can fly extremely well, their long tail gives them enormous lift. They are know as being aviary birds NOT pets. I have corresponded with a few breeders now who have had great difficulty selling these birds because of how they are known.
Sound:
They can talk and Candy does. Speech is very clear. They have a nice chirp. There voice can be set to many different levels of loudness if they decide to, but by no means it is hard on your ears. I do not know if all of them as talkers are the same, but Candy is a very fast talker.
Life span:
From my research it can be from 20 to 30 years. I have corresponded online with a man who has a 25 year old barraband that just became a father last year (the bird that is).
Friendliness:
They are not known as a cuddly bird and I would have to say that Candy falls into this category. However, Candy has not been that long in our home so we are working on that. Candy wants to know where I am and would spend hours just walking around with me, but he will fly off my hand every time he wants to see something. They are keen watchers of their surroundings.
Ability to Reproduce in Capacity:
This I have been told is difficult compared to most birds. I am not a breeder so can only tell you what I have heard. They will not breed unless they are in a large flight pens and usually only 1 clutch every year to 2 years. I would have to agree simply because we do not see many of them domestically. Females are also difficult to find.
Personalities as a Whole:
Candy because of his background has been a test of patience. I have had to built trust with him and that is growing each and every day. He felt abandoned and I would honesty say this bird was depressed when he came to live with us. He was so happy when I put him near a window just his expression to see light again (the store he was in is quite dark). With this in mind my opinion of their personalities might be a bit off the norm.
I believe they are very dedicated birds when raised to be a pet. They are not overbearing or aggressive. They protect themselves with almost a hissing cry if you or another bird comes too close to their space. But, when they are with you and trust you, they are lovely.
Candy will sit for hours with me very content. Their beauty is definitely a plus as you cannot look at them and not be mesmerized. Candy’s look I term " majestic".
They love to swing. I have never seen a bird swing so hard. There have been times I have thought he was going to fly off the swing. Again, I think, based on their ability for movement and speed.
Candy loves to take baths. Something I am unsure what he had in his first 6 years of life. But, those big beautiful wings come out to take in the water with total freedom and content. It is a beautiful site.
I totally believe these birds have been sold short by the bird media publishers. A bird that has a reputation of being for aviaries only does not mean it can’t be a wonderful pet. It does mean they are a bird that is not happy to be in a cage only, but I have never raised any of my birds to be in that environment. When I am at home all of my birds are out of their cages. They are moved throughout are house to explore different areas, they are part of our daily lives.
Here is a picture of my Candy.
I hope this article was of benefit to you ...
Teresa Schnurr
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