Red-Rumped Parakeet Care Guide: Breeding, Behavior & Aviary Management

The Red-rumped Parakeet (Psephotus haematonus), often called the Red-rumped Parrot, is a striking and ground-foraging parrot species native to south-eastern Australia. These birds were first bred in captivity by London Zoo in 1857 and have since become popular among aviculturists. Their popularity is due not only to the vivid colours of the males but also to their relatively straightforward breeding.

However, Red-rumped Parakeets are not without challenges. Their strong social structures and breeding behaviours require attentive management. Understanding their natural history, diet, housing needs, and breeding cycle is essential for any bird keeper aiming to provide the best possible care.

Quick Facts About the Red-rumped Parakeet

• Scientific name: Psephotus haematonus
• Length: Around 27 cm
• Weight: Cock ≈ 70 g; Hen ≈ 60 g
• Wild breeding season: August to January (southern hemisphere spring)
• Breeding maturity: 1 year onwards
• Typical clutch: 5–7 eggs
• Incubation: 19–20 days

Identifying Male vs Female Red-rumped Parakeets

Male (Cock)

• Bright green head, neck, and breast with a blue sheen.
• Distinct crimson lower back—the trademark “red rump.”
• Yellow abdomen fading to white with green under the tail.
• Wings are blue-green with yellow shoulder patches.
• Tail feathers tinted with blue.

Female (Hen)

• More subdued olive-green overall.
• Dull yellow shades on the neck and breast.
• Subtle blue feathers on the shoulders.
• White under-tail with a very faint blue tint.
• No red rump, which makes hens less vivid than males.

Diet and Feeding: Everyday & Breeding Season

Staple Seed Mix

The Red-rumped Parakeet thrives on a balanced seed diet. Common mixes include:

• Millets
• Canary seed (plain & mixed)
• Sunflower seeds
• Groats
• Grass seed

Using a foreign finch seed mix as a base works well. Add plain canary seed when required. Popular supplements include Budgie Tonic or Budgie 50/50 for variation.

Greens & Fresh Foods

Fresh greens are critical for both health and enrichment:

• Chickweed, dandelion leaves, spinach, broccoli
• Sprouted seeds for high nutrition
• Fruits like apples
• Vegetables such as carrots

High-Protein Foods (Essential for Breeding)

During breeding and chick-rearing, protein demand rises. Recommended foods include:

• Sweetcorn mixed with egg food
• Small portions of shredded chicken or tuna
• Commercial moist egg foods (e.g., Nutribird, Rob Harvey’s Moist Egg Food)
• Mealworms (sometimes accepted)

Pelleted Diets

If accepted, pellets from brands like Kaytee or Pretty Bird ensure balanced vitamins and minerals.

Supplements

• Calcium (e.g., Calicivet) during breeding, but use with caution.
• Cuttlefish, grit, and iodine blocks are essential at breeding time.

💡 Tip: Over-supplementation can be harmful, so follow manufacturer instructions carefully.

Housing & Social Behaviour

Red-rumped Parakeets are natural ground foragers, so aviaries must allow floor access.

• Outside breeding season: Several pairs can live together if no nestboxes are present.
• During breeding season: Keep only one pair per aviary. Red-rumps become territorial and aggressive when breeding.
• Be vigilant, as males may attack other birds or even fledged offspring.

Nestbox Design & Placement

Size & Structure

• Base: 7–8 inches (18–20 cm) square
• Depth: 14–18 inches (35–45 cm)
• Entrance: Just wide enough for a snug fit (≈ 5–6 cm)
• Bedding: Non-dusty wood chip (e.g., Easibed). Avoid excess bedding that may bury eggs or chicks.

Placement

• Mount as high as possible in the aviary with a 2–3 inch (5–7 cm) gap from the roof.
• Ideal orientation: South-east or south-west (avoids extremes of heat/cold).
• Avoid north-facing (too cold) and south-facing (too hot) positions.

Breeding Timeline & Management

• Clutch size: 5–7 eggs
• Incubation: 19–20 days, beginning after the second egg
• Fledging: Chicks should be monitored closely, as aggression from cocks is common

Juvenile Management

Once chicks self-feed, remove them to prevent aggression. Males may attack or even kill fledged sons.

Protective strategy: Place young in a small wire-fronted box in the feeding quarters, allowing feeding but preventing attacks.

Health, Worming & Parasite Control

As ground-foraging parrots, Red-rumped Parakeets are prone to worm infestations.

• Start worming before breeding season
• Worming options include:
  • Water-dissolved treatments
  • Panacur (oral liquid)
  • Panomec (ivermectin-based, topical application)

Parasite control is essential for fertility and overall health.

Preparing Birds for Breeding Season

In the wild, lean winters followed by lush spring growth trigger breeding. In captivity, simulate this cycle:

1. Non-breeding months: Provide a lean diet to keep birds fit, not overweight.
2. Pre-breeding: Increase protein and food quality as daylight lengthens.
3. Sitting period: Reduce protein to keep hens focused on brooding.
4. Hatching onward: Restore high-protein diet for chick growth.

⚠️ Calcium balance is crucial. Too little weakens hens; too much causes thick shells, prolapse, or chicks struggling to hatch.

Breeding Frequency & Recovery

Never over-breed Red-rumped Parakeets. Limit to two clutches per year to allow parents recovery time and prevent health decline.

Record Keeping & Lineage Tracking

Maintain Breeding Charts to log:

• First egg dates, hatch results, fledging times
• Ringing details
• Sex identification
• Observed health issues

Lineage tracking prevents inbreeding and helps maintain strong bloodlines.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Eggs rolling/chilling → Nestbox too large or wrong bedding
• Egg burial → Excess loose bedding
• Egg-binding → Breeding too early or poor conditioning
• Over-supplementation → Calcium overdose risks
• Diet deficiencies → Splay legs, poor feathering, or beak deformities

Practical Pre-Breeding Checklist

✔️ Worm birds well before breeding season
✔️ Prepare accurate breeding & lineage charts
✔️ Ready a nestbox of correct size & placement
✔️ Stock high-protein foods & supplements
✔️ Plan for chick removal to avoid aggression
✔️ Limit clutches to two per year

Final Notes & Breeder’s Caution

The Red-rumped Parakeet is rewarding to keep and breed, but it requires informed management. Their beauty and breeding potential come with challenges—territorial aggression, delicate nutritional needs, and strict housing rules. With proper care, these parrots thrive and continue to enchant bird enthusiasts worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)