Animal-World
Information
Bookmark and Share
Special Features
Exotic Pet
Bird Libraries
Pet Bird
Information
Connect with us on Facebook
Watch us on YouTube
Follow us on Twitter

Pet Supply Comparison Shopping

Parakeet: Types of Parakeets Articles

Derbyan ParakeetDerbyan Parrot

Family: PsittacidaePicture of a Derbyan Parakeet Psittacula derbianaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy S. Marsh
Latest Reader Comment - See More
I would like somebody's help telling me the difference between the derbyan parakeet and the mustache parakeet. I have two females that I thought were mustaches,... (more)  jose

     The mature Derbyan Parakeet is a striking bird with beautiful shades of violet blue on the head and breast!

     Though the Derbyan Parakeet is naturally a bit shy, seeming to prefer the company of birds to that of humans, with good socialization when they are young and ongoing regular handling, they make a wonderful pet. They love to socialize, are generally docile, and tend to live long healthy lives.

     The Derbyan Parakeet is one of the best talkers among the parakeets. They are extremely intelligent and can learn many words with a clarity in their speech that is similar to that of the amazon parrots. They do have a loud voice and can get be rather noisy though they are said to be less noisy when kept singly and given a lot of attention.

To learn more about Parakeets and their needs visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Parakeet


Sub-species: Psittacula derbiana derbiana - Deryban Parakeet (Tibetan)
                                                                                Psittacula derbiana chinensis
- Chinese Derbyan Parakeet

     There is currently only one recognized species of the Derbyan Parakeet, Psittacula derbiana . The Chinese Derbyan Parakeet Psittacula derbiana chinensis is officially unknown as a subspecies, but has been suggested in 2001 as being similar to the Derbyan Parakeet but slightly smaller. It is also described as having a duller violet-blue head, a duller red beak, and a more grayish breast and abdomen. Also under the wings and parts of the thighs are described as being a grayish-brown.

Distribution:      The Derbyan Parakeet is found in northeast Assam, southeast Tibet, and western China in the provinces of Szechwan and Yunnan. They are mountainous birds living in forests of pine and oak as well as rhododendron alpine forests. This region is seldom visited by ornithologists so little is known about their habits.

Description:      The Derbyan Parakeet has a general green plumage that gets paler on the nape and middle of the wings. They have black on their lores and lower cheeks, with a bright blue on their forecrown moving into a blue-violet on the rest of the head. The throat, under parts, and under the wings are a lavender-purple and the thighs and vent area are green with touches of blue on some of the feather edges. The central feathers of the tail are blue tinged with green near the base, and the outer feathers are green edged with blue. The upper beak on the male is red with a yellowish tip and the lower mandible is black, while the females beak is all black. The eye is a yellowish-white and the legs are a greenish-gray. The Derbyan Parakeet is a pretty large parakeet getting up to about 20" (50 cm).      The female is distinguished not only by the all black beak, but she does not have the blue on the forecrown. She can also be distinguished by a brownish-pink band behind the ear coverts.      The young are duller in color and have a green head with no blues. The beak is an orangish-red and the eyes are dark. They will reach their adult coloring at maturity, about two years of age.

Care and Feeding:      Fresh food and water must be provided daily.      In the wild the Derbyan Parakeet eats a variety of seeds, fruits, berries, and leaf buds. They do like to feed on the ground. Their diet consists of a good seed mixture supplemented with sprouted seed, various fruits, and green foods. In addition to these foods, you can offer them vegetables and commercial pellets.      See About Parakeets: Care and Feeding for more detailed information.

Housing:      A roomy cage is required, and time out of the cage for exercise and flying is very important for them. They will also do very well in an aviary.      See About Parakeets: Housing for more extensive housing information.

Maintenance:      The basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should wash all the perches and dirty toys, and the floor should be washed about every other week. A total hosing down and disinfecting of an aviary should be done yearly, replacing anything that needs to be freshened, such as old dishes, toys and perches.

Related Video:

Social Behaviors:      In the wild, the Derbyan Parakeets live in small flocks of up to 50 birds and are very social. They do seem to prefer birds as companions and can seem rather aloof, shying away from human handling. They have a generally peaceful personality and make excellent aviary birds.

Handling/Training:      They are rather shy with people, but with good socialization when they are young and regular handling after that, they become very good pets. They are extremely intelligent and can be excellent talkers.      See About Parakeets: Handling and Training for detailed information.     

Activities:      Parakeets are very energetic birds! Besides flying, which is important for all parakeets, these birds love to chew! Though considered more placid than many parakeets, the Derbyan Parakeet is still very active and can be very destructive. Being a very intelligent bird it needs lots of stimulation to help prevent boredom. Make sure to give your pet regular time out of its cage and lots of assorted toys and wood chews, perches and swings.    

Breeding/Reproduction:      The Derbyan Parakeets reach maturity at about two years of age. They will readily breed in captivity and are excellent parents. In the wild they build their nests in the holes in trees. The female will lay an average of four eggs. The young hatch in about 23 days and leave the nest in about 50 days.      See About Parakeets: Breeding and Reproduction for more information.

Potential Problems:      Though the Derbyan Parakeet is a healthy and hardy bird, they do forage for food on the ground. This can make them more susceptible to intestinal worms and fungal infections. These can be averted by keeping the cage or aviary well maintained and clean.      Because of their frequent contact with the ground where they like to pick up seed, you may also want to talk to an avian veterinarian about a regular de-worming schedule. With a proper environment and a good balanced diet, they are very hardy and resistant to disease.      See About Parakeets: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability:      Derbyan Parakeets are occasionally available at pet stores or from breeders.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS


Comments
View All 21 comments!
Latest Comments

I would like somebody's help telling me the difference between the derbyan parakeet and the mustache parakeet. I have two females that I thought were mustaches, and maybe they are derbyan.
Jose 05/29/08
Reply
jose
2008-05-29
Click For Replies (1)

I would like to know the difference too.... I have someone who is selling me a pair of Mustache Parakeets, one has a black beak (looks exactly like my friends Derbyan) and one has an orange beak... They said the pair was proven by someone else. Are they selling me two different types of birds, will they make a hybrid?... Ashley

Both my male and female derbyan have very good vocabularies. They are now incubating three possibly going on four eggs. One of the derbyans actually asked if I were alright when I tripped in the yard. I had to look to see who was saying it as it was so clear. I had also the misfortune of losing my beloved Wally as a result of a hurricane threat around October/December 2007 here in Florida. He was in the house and had escaped the cage he had been placed in temporarily and flew over my head and out the back door when someone went to go outside.
Reply
Melissa
2010-06-02

I came across a homeless Derbyan parakeet several months ago. I've never had a bird so I was only going to keep him temporarily until I found a home for him. Needless to say, we fell in love with him! Their personalities must differ just like humans because I severly disagree with some of the comments I've read. My Derbyan, Sunny, is the sweetest most affectionate pet. He begs for attention and wants to be on my shoulder constantly! He even loves my 6 year old son. He talks to me and whistles and never makes a peep once I put him in his cage for the night. He doesn't startle easily and doesn't care if his cage is moved. He is so loving and adaptable. I would recommend a Derbyan as a pet to anyone that loves animals.
Reply
Tasha
2007-12-13
Click For Replies (1)

I would like to feel that Tasha found my homeless Derbyan that had lived in St. Petersburg area of Florida. His original name was Wally and we still have his sister Matilda that is about to be a mother. He has been gone a few years ago shortly nearing the end of hurricane season when he was brought it from the outside with his sister. He managed to fly out the sliding door after my not realizing he was out of his cage. I was heart broken as we advertised him being lost on Avian Biotech at the time and also advertised here in Florida. ... Melissa

I bought a pair of Derbyans in 1992, who have had many babies. I have never tried to "tame" the pair, but they have become very calm with me over the years. I kept some of their babies and they all are wonderfully tame. They have the most beautiful voices you will ever hear! They love to sing and laugh, play with each other, chase each other around - good exercise,and have fun. They like sitting on my shoulder or head. They are very calm and very gentle birds, but can startle easily. Most say/sing "beautiful Derbyan Parakeet birdie", and "Way up in the sky little birds fly", "pipe down", "it's okay, you're okay", "owie, owie" and many other words and phrases and each other's names. They are my very favorite species of parrot!
Reply
Beverly
2010-01-18
Click For Replies (1)

Beverly, or anyone else who has this type of bird how much do they cost or go for if I would like to buy one, I seem to not be able to find one... thanks for your help.. Fred... Fred nikolic

Derbyans are bigger than the mustache. They are about 20 inches whereas mustache are 13 inches.
Reply
Shannon
2008-06-23

Hello Jason. Your bird is not a different species but it is simply a female! The green on her chest is quite special though!
Reply
Kurt van Wyk
2008-03-15
Questions - Answers

Can Derbyan Parakeets live with cockatiels?
Reply
susan
2010-06-20
       Ask a Question
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!

My Derbyan is called "Bombay". He is handsome and loving. I purchase him four years ago and I recommend this bird to the beginner, as well as the advance bird lover. He has a large vocabulary and can master tricks with ease. There are few articles written about the Derbyan Parakeet and I thank you for your information.



Reply
Therese Dunnigan 2005-10-24
2005-10-24

In July I purchased 2 Derbyans about 2 months old. they take peanuts from my hand, climb on me, and they can talk, saying " Hello" and "Bye". I have been looking for a site and I found this one. thanks, now I know how to better care for Everest and Efren.
Reply
Adrian Torres
2005-10-12

We got our Derbyan Parakeet in January of 2005 from my Sister-in-law for $60.00 (What a steal, Huh?)We named her Mary Jane (M.J. for short) she is 2 years old and the apple of Daddy's eye, she loves when I sing to her. Thank you for having this Derbyan site.
Mark & M.J. Barnett
Reply
Mark Barnett
2005-09-14

Click to see more Parakeet: Types of Parakeets
Back to Parakeet: Types of Parakeets






Copyright © [Animal-World] 1998-2009. All rights reserved.

Using cached version