A Complete Guide To Purple Parakeets As Pets

Purple parakeets are captivating birds. Their color is striking and beautiful. These busy little birds make entertaining pets that can brighten the dullest day. If you are curious like me, you might wonder where the lovely color comes from on these birds and if there is any difference in caring for them.

Purple parakeets are usually selectively bred by parakeet breeders. They are also known as violet parakeets. The violet factor modifies a white base color to produce purple. A diet of pellets, seeds, fruit, and vegetables is essential for good health. Company is vital for the parakeet.

Parakeets come in a rainbow of colors, including purple, which develops due to various genes interacting. The purple hue can vary in intensity from pale lilac to an eye-catching deep purple.

Do Purple Parakeets Exist In The Wild?

Parakeets are found as indigenous birds in Australia – especially the drier, arid regions. Green parakeets occur most commonly in the natural state, but blue parakeets are sometimes seen. It is technically possible for a purple parakeet to be born in the wild, but it is very unlikely.

Parakeets that differ in color from the traditional green parakeets are apt to become targets for predators. A predator can lock onto the different colored bird and hunt it down easily amongst the flock.

In addition, alternatively colored parakeets will not be as attractive to the opposite sex and are less likely to breed. The color will not be propagated, making it less probable to see purple parakeets in the wild.

How Do Purple Parakeets Breed?

Parakeets have two base colors, yellow and white. Yellow base is a dominant gene, and white base is recessive. This means that even though most of the parakeets in the wild are green, some may carry a recessive white gene.

Genes always come in two because two parents give genetic material. Dominant genes may be paired with recessive genes, and the result will be that the bird looks like the dominant gene – in this case, the yellow base will create a green parakeet.

If the parakeet inherits two recessive genes, then that trait will show through. In the case of parakeets, the white base will be evident as a blue parakeet. Other genes cause variations in terms of color intensity or modify the gene to produce new colors.

In parakeets, a violet factor gene may be seen on either a yellow or a white base. Violet factor does not show well on the yellow base and does not produce purple parakeets. Violet factor modifying a white base makes purple parakeets. The intensity of the color will vary due to color intensity modifying genes.

Parakeets have been domesticated for hundreds of years, allowing breeders to take advantage of the recessive genes. As a result, breeders have learned to produce purple parakeets from selective breeding.

If you want to understand more about parakeet genetics, click here.

What Does It Cost To Buy A Purple Parakeet?

Purple parakeets vary in price depending on the intensity of the color, age, and the breeder’s choice. You can expect to pay thirty dollars or more for a purple parakeet.

Breeding pairs of purple parakeets or parakeets known to carry the violet factor will be considerably higher in price.

What Does A Purple Parakeet Eat?

Purple parakeets eat the same as other colored parakeets. Their diet should include parakeet pellets, fruit, vegetables, and herbs.

It is critical that you ensure your purple parakeet does not eat a seed-only diet. This diet is deficient in nutrients and will lead to the early death of your bird.

In addition, eating seeds alone will lead to fatty deposits around the liver and other organs.

Can A Purple Parakeet Talk?

You can teach your purple parakeet to speak, but some are more gifted at talking than others. They will learn quickly and can develop an extensive vocabulary.

Teaching your parakeet to talk is a matter of repeating words or phrases to your bird. Male purple parakeets seem to be better speakers than females.

How Often Should I Change My Purple Parakeet’s Cage?

It is essential to keep your parakeet’s cage clean. A build-up of parakeet droppings spilled food, and discarded feathers will result in the growth of bacteria and fungi in the cage. This is very detrimental to your purple parakeet’s health and can cause early death.

Are Purple Parakeets Prone To Disease?

Purple parakeets are not more prone to disease than any other parakeet. It is important to keep your bird exercised and healthy. Overweight parakeets of any color are prone to developing lipomas.

Lipomas are fatty tumors that are not usually cancerous but can cause problems when they obstruct normal functioning in the bird’s body.

Should I Allow My Purple Parakeet To Fly?

Flying is a natural exercise for parakeets, and it helps to keep the bird’s weight down. The parakeet develops muscles and uses up fats while flying – much like we do when we exercise.

Keep your purple parakeet in a large enough cage for it to fly. Alternatively, have a designated flight cage or room where your bird will have the opportunity to stretch its wings.

Must I Get Another Purple Parakeet As A Companion?

Parakeets are birds that are genetically designed to live in the wild in large flocks. As a result, they need company and become lonely and depressed if left alone for extended periods. If you can have your parakeet with you most of the time, you can fill the need for company.

If your parakeet does not come out of the cage or you are out a lot, then it is kinder to get a companion for your parakeet. The companion does not need to be a purple parakeet. Any color parakeet will be suitable as a companion.

Why Are Some Purple Parakeets Bigger Than Others?

There are two types of parakeets that differ in size. These are regular parakeets and British parakeets, which are sometimes known as show parakeets. The difference in size is a result of selective breeding in captivity. In the wild, parakeets are all the regular size.

Show parakeets and regular parakeets can both be bred with the violet factor to produce purple parakeets.

Conclusion

Purple parakeets are stunning birds and lively companions. They have the same nutritional, exercise, and housing needs as other parakeets.

A good diet and exercise are essential to keep your parakeet healthy. Companionship is vital to parakeets and must be provided either by the owner or another parakeet.