Lineolated Parakeet
Description
The lineolated parakeet (Bolborhynchus lineola), also known as barred parakeet, Catherine parakeet or 'linnies' for short, is a small parrot found disjunctly in highland forests from southern Mexico to Panama, in the Andes from western Venezuela to southern Peru and Bolivia, the Santa Marta Mountains in Colombia and the Venezuelan Coastal Range. Its plumage is mostly green with multiple black and dark green stripes or bars, and it has a pale-horn coloured beak. The dark stripes vary in prominence between its two subspecies. Several colour mutants are available in aviculture.
The barred parakeet is about 16 cm (6.5 in) in length and has a weight of about 42 to 52 grams. It is mostly green and has black stripes (or bars) over its upper-parts except on the top of the head. Its lower-parts are olive-green with very dark green stripes on its sides. The shoulder of its wings are black, there is some blue on the under-side of its wings, and its tail is dark green. The irises are dark brown and its beak is horn coloured. Its legs are pink. Juveniles have less-marked dark stripes, which darken with age. Males and females are generally similar in external appearance, but males may sometimes have more marked black stripes than the female. Usually, however, there is no discerning trait to differentiate sex and sexing must be done surgically or through blood tests. The two subspecies differ in the prominence of the dark stripes.
Scientific Name
Bolborhynchus Lineola
Country Of Origin
Size
Life Expectancy
Noise Level
Quiet
Talk / Trick Ability
Very good
Characteristics
Lineolated parakeets tend to be on the quiet side, chattering rather than screeching, and they are very good talkers. They have entertaining personalities and will often hang upside down from their perches for fun and/or for a misting bath. They tend to bond very tightly to their owner and can be defensive of this person as well. Their beautiful color varieties are another reason for their popularity as pets.
Behavior / Health Concerns
Lineolated parakeets prefer climbing to flying, so their pet bird cages should have plenty of safe areas in which they can do so. Their toenails tend to grow long and curl, so trim the nails so that the bird does not get caught on toys or cage parts. When kept singly or in pairs, the lineolated parakeets chattering is pleasant, but they can become quite loud in a larger aviary housing with many lineolated parakeets.
Expert Advice
“These vivacious, pint-sized small parrots are a blast. They are very animated and friendly. Great small parrots for families and even most small children.”
Gregory Rich, DVM, West Esplanade Veterinary Clinic, Metairie, La