place of a tree hole nest in the wild, in order to reproduce. Hand-fed birds Hand-fed parrotlets are much more popular in aviculture. Babies are taken from their nest at a few weeks old and fed a nutritionally rich pablum-like mash, rich in protein, fats, and minerals necessary for development. Chicks are fed using a syringe starting at three to four times per day. They consume of mash per feeding. Feeding frequency and volume diminishes as the bird develops. By the age of four to six weeks, the parrotlet will have transitioned to mixed grains or pellets and eat enough on its own to sustain itself. Chicks that are continuously handled this way remain sociable and enjoy spending time out of the cage with their owners. If, however, after weaning, the bird is not regularly taken out of the cage, they may revert to a wild, nervous or aggressive temperament. Requirements Spectacled parrotlets require cages roughly 24’’ by 24’’ by 18’’, with perches of different sizes and textures to encourage nail filing and foot exercise. Toys, especially foraging toys, encourage active playing and chewing to exercise the beak. Often, owners of spectacled parrotlets will clip the flight feathers as a safety precaution for the bird. Typically, the first six primaries are cut. These feathers grow back when the bird molts (roughly twice a year). Nails should be clipped every four months to prevent overgrowth and ensure comfortable perching. A domesticated parrotlet's diet typically consists of mixed grains or pellets. Mixed grain diets usually consist of white millet, sunflower seeds, and a variety of other seeds. Pellets are often the preferred diet due to their high nutrition. Pellet diets are often enriched with proteins and minerals such as calcium to ensure the bird is getting the necessary minerals that it would naturally obtain from its diet in the wild. External links World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia - Species Profile References spectacled parrotlet Category:Birds of Panama Category:Birds of Colombia spectacled parrotlet Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot