This is probably the hardest page for me to provide information as it encompasses so many different types of parrots from all over the world. Then too, sometimes these parrots are placed with other species. For example, some will place the Senegal parrot with the same group as African greys as they are both from Africa and both highly intelligent birds though the Senegal parrot is considerably smaller. There are many similarities between these two types of parrots. Ditto the Caique and Hawk Head which is sometimes grouped with the Amazon parrots. Where to place the Great Break beak parrot? What about the Parrolets? As you can imagine it gets very difficult and I’ve chosen to keep this page to represent the various groups of parrots that don’t seem to belong to any of the major other groups and provide specific information about the parrot(s) shown in my individual prints.
The major of parrots in this grouping are smaller, highly intelligent and among my favorite parrot pets. They also need smaller cages, really bond with their owners, are quieter than some of the larger parrots, and usually less destructive.
CaiqueThere are two species of Caique: the black-headed caique and the white-bellied or white-breasted caique. This print is taken from a painting I did of the black-headed caique. I hope to paint the white-breasted caique in the near future. These Latin American birds are truly delightful and can be considered the clowns of the parrot world. Rather than walk, they love to hop and are always active … truly fun and highly amusing when interacting with you. I highly recommend obtaining a young caique from a reputable breeder. Caiques tend to be higher in cost than most amazon parrots as not as common.
Electus TwosomeThis print is from one of my earlier paintings of a male and female electus. This is one of the few species of birds where there is a major coloring difference between the female (Red) and the male (Green). Since the female barricades herself within the hollow of a tree until her babies are weaned, it becomes obvious while she can have such intense color. Electus parrots range over the many islands form Indonesia and New Guinea to Australia. There are up to ten forms of these birds recognized. Due to being confined in a tree trunk until weaned, young electus parrots seem very quiet and docile; however, upon maturing, their personality soon shows. They are delightful birds, capable of talking, and not as loud as some of the other parrots. Due to their diets, they may be somewhat messier than other parrots. Electus parrots tend to be very shy birds and it is very important to purchase a young bird from a reputable breeder. The female in this picture loves to sing opera and is a very special bird.
Lory, RainbowThere are many types of Lories and lorikeets. They originate in the islands off the coast of Asia and Australia. They are very beautiful birds with a large variety of intense colorings. This print is of Fred, whom I discovered perched upon his owner as he walked through an art show in Marietta, GA where I was exhibiting my paintings. I look many paintings and recently completed this painting of Fred, the rainbow lory. To make a long story short, was exhibiting my work at a bird show when a woman came up looking for a painting of a rainbow lory. Turned out she was with Fred’s owner who had recently lost Fred. His air conditioner did not work for a few days, and I imagine that Fred was the victim of an extreme temperature change which caused his death. His owner was desolate, especially as he had so few pictures of this special bird. Fred literally went everywhere with his owner and was a treasured pet. As usual, I gave him a free print of Fred (whenever I do a painting from pictures taken of specific birds, I always present the owner or breeder with a free print of the bird … might add that everyone is very eager to help me take pictures of their birds which can be time consuming). This meant a lot to the owner and to me as well. If purchasing a lory for a pet, remember that they are extremely active birds and due to their diet can be messy (very liquid droppings). They also can master a few words. Overall, they are not loud nor destructive.
ParroletsParrolets are delightful "miniature" parrots from Ecuador and Peru. There are several different species plus new mutations or splits are being developed. Despite their little size, they are known as the terriers of the parrot group as they are extremely fearless and have even been known to "attack" large macaws. They are very active delight little birds and can make excellent pets provided they are obtained when young from a reputable breeder. These two birds are a celestrial parrotlet and a green-rumped parrotlet which were bred here in Atlanta. They are extremely active, require smaller cages though lots of toys and make very nice pets if kept singularly and handled regularly.
Parrot, Great-billedI do not personally know a lot about this species of parrots but fell in love with this guy at a local bird show. As you can see from this print, he has a huge red beak which gives him a delightful clownish appearance. Great-billed parrots are from Indonesia and Balut in the Philippines. Their requirements are similar to that of the Electus but they not commonly found available as pets. I discovered this wonderful great-billed parrot at a bird show in Atlanta. Great-billed parrots can become quite tame and make nice aviary occupants. They can be destructive and require a strong aviary.
Parrot, Hawk-headedThe Hawk-Headed parrot is found from Northern Brazil, west to southeastern Colombia and northeaster Peru. It is a single species though some people try to place it within the Amazon parrot grouping, while others try to compare the Hawk-headed with conures. As you can see from this print, a hawk-head is probably the most distinctive of the parrots with its erectile head feathers of maroon, edged with blue. This color scheme is repeated on the underparts. In this print, you can see how the hawk-headed parrot can raise their head feathers when excited or when threatened. They love to raise their crests as they "attack" their toys. This little hawk-headed hen is a special pet of one of the bird people here in Atlanta. She is missing one eye, complements of her mother when she was still in the nest. Hawk-headed parrots can be aggressive and I strongly recommend that a hawk-head be kept singularly and handled on a regular basis. A tame hawk-headed can be endearingly affectionate though sometimes extremely noisy. That said, the hawk-headed parrot has always fascinated me for years. It also took me years to capture one with its crest up on camera. This hawk-head’s owner really worked with me in order for me to get such a great pose. Hawk-heads can be difficult to breed, and rarer to find than some of the other parrots which makes them more costly. By the way, this special hawk-head loved her print and whistled at it.
Parrot, SenegalSenegal parrots are native to Central-western African and belong to a group of poicephalus parrots. There are nine different species in this group. This painting is of Boo, my daughter’s special pet. Boo made a delightful pet and like most African parrots is calm, highly intelligent and a relatively quiet bird. They love to chew and can be quite destructive if not watched (I should include a picture of my once nice table). Senegals are long lived and have been known to live over 40 years. Like Boo, senegal parrots can be very friendly companion birds. Due to their intelligence they also can become adapt at escaping cages and I know of one owner who now uses yale locks on his cage to contain his resourceful escape artist. It is especially funny as this man’s profession involves providing security. Senegals can be very good talkers and also love to mimic sounds (i.e., the microwave, cell phone, etc.). Boo even learned to mimic the sound of our front door opening and closing which was very discerning at times. The only caution would be that when they mature, as in our case, Senegals may strongly bond with one member of the family to the point of literally attacking the other spouse. My husband became Boo’s "mate" while I was fair game. He would viciously charge, dive, whatever, at me any chance he got inflicting painful bites. Boo now belongs to a man who lives up north and he has a new "mate". He still attacks the wife, but as she has her own two "personal" senegals, she is content to leave Boo alone with his new "love".