Red-Rumped Parakeet

Psephotus haematonotus

Male and female red-rumped parakeets look very different from one another.

The very first thing you will notice about a red-rumped parakeet is their appearance and the extreme differences between the two genders. Males are more flamboyant, with their body almost covered with emerald green. Bright green covers their back, along with a red spot. This is the reason for their name. Meanwhile, the females don’t have the same vibrant appearance. They are mostly olive green, with even darker shades on their wings. The red-rumped parakeet’s green plumage actually helps them camouflage in grasses.

Red-rumped parakeets sing beautifully.

In German, these little parakeets are called singsittich, translating to “song parrot.” When sitting in the tops of trees at rest, the soft, twittering whistles are reminiscent of warbling. They also use a characteristic “chee chillip chee chillip” call to communicate with one another when feeding in the wild. In contrast, their alarm call is an unpleasant, shrill whistle.

Red-rumped parakeets mate for life.

Their breeding season is between August and January. The female will lay three to six eggs and will not leave them for any reason. The male red-rumped parakeet will watch over the female and bring her food frequently. In the beginning of the breeding season, the male flies around looking for suitable nesting sites. When he finds a suitable one, he will take the female to it. If she approves, she will begin to lay eggs.

Animal Facts

  • Lifespan In human care, red-rumped parakeets will live between 15 and 32 years.
  • Habitat Red-rumped parakeets are found in southeastern Australia.
  • Diet In the wild, red-rumped parakeets eat seeds and leaves. At the Zoo, they enjoy a choice of seeds, pelleted "Pretty Bird" diet, and chopped vegetables and fruits.
  • Size Red-rumped parakeets are approximately 11 inches in length, with almost half of it in their tail.
  • Conservation Status Least Concern

Did You Know?

The red-rumped parakeets are named after the red spot on their lower backs, but it is only the males that have this mark.