BREEDS & THEIR NEEDS
Ring Necks

DISTRIBUTION in the WILD :
The Ring- Parakeet species includes the Indian Ringneck and the African Ringneck subspecies.

• They can be found throughout Asia and parts of Africa, including  India, China, Ceylon, Tibet, Nepal and many adjacent islands.
  

• The Indian Ringneck Parakeet originated in Ceylon.
  

• The African Ringneck Parakeet, it's close cousin, is found in regions between West Africa to the Southern Sudan.     

DESCRIPTION of the SPECIES :

• The normal coloration of the male Indian Ringneck Parakeet is a general green with it's lower abdomen area being lighter and the back of the head has a bluish tint. 

• A black ring runs through the chin and along the cheek. 

• There it blends into a pink collar with some blue on the nape. 

• The central tail feathers are bluish, tipped with a yellow green. 

• The outer tail feathers are green. 

• The beak is plum-red to an almost black on the tip.
   

• Through domestic breeding, there is a large variety of colour variations, or mutations available.
  

• Have a look at the photos at the top of the page to see some of the colours available.
  

• The female and immature male has no black ring, pink collar, or blue tint on the back of the head.
  

• The young can be sexed better after reaching their adult plumage after their second full moult, around 3 years old.  
  

• If you want to sex them earlier then you need to DNA test them. 
  

•  You can either pluck a fresh feather from the birds' chest or send off for a DNA Kit to take a blood sample. 

  • (You just prick the knuckle on one of the birds' toe and send the blood sample off).  
    Have a look at this link www.avianbiotech.com
    

• The African Ringneck Parakeet is very similar in colouration to the Indian Ringneck, however it's collar markings are less prominent and it has a smaller beak. 
  

• Also, it's tail is two or three inches shorter, making it's overall length shorter.
  

• African Ringnecks grow to a length of 16" (40 cm)
  

• Indian Ringnecks grow to approx. 14"
  

• They can live up to approx. 25 - 30 years.

CARE & FEEDING :

• In the wild, they eat a variety of seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, blossoms, and nectar.
  

• In addition to these foods, you can offer them  fruit and veg.
  

• They also enjoy the same nutritional foods humans eat, including cooked chicken.
  

• An occasional millet spray is a nice treat.
  

• Cuttlefish bone, iodine nibbles block and mineral + oystershell Grit should always be freely available, esp. important in the time leading up to Breeding.
  

• Some Indian Ringnecks do not enjoy bathing. 
  

• If your Ringneck does not like to bathe it should be misted weekly. 
  

• Some do love to bathe, however, and individuals that do enjoy water should be provided with baths frequently.  
  

• It's good for their plumage quality.

HOUSING: 

• A spacious Aviary is recommended,  as these are large parakeets and need plenty of flying space and fresh air.
  

• They are very energetic birds! Besides flying, which is important for all parakeets, these birds love to chew!
  
• Natural branches make the best perches. For chewing and perching. (see info on perches)
  

• Chewing is a natural prelude to bringing the birds into breeding condition.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR :

• In the wild, these birds live in flocks and are very social. 
  
• They have a pleasant nature but will develop a screaming habit if teased. (this is more relevant in a cage environment rather than in an Aviary).
  
• The Ringneck Parakeet is clever! Besides learning to talk, these parakeets are known to be great at learning tricks. 
  
• Some have been taught to string beads on a rope, twirl sticks about their head, ring a bell, and pick up selected objects.
  

BREEDING :

• Unlike many parakeets, Ringneck Parakeets do not bond with a mate for life.
  
• But they are fairly easy to breed, so long as you provide the right environment at the right time of year.
  
• Ringnecks are one of the first species of parrot to breed each year.
  
• They are very hardy birds and have even been seen living in the bleak, snow-covered landscape of the Himalayan Mountains.
  
• They also seen  living wild in the south of England.
  
• Start to offer your Ringnecks their nest boxes fairly soon after Xmas, if you wait until your other birds are thinking of going to nest, you will have missed the "moment".
  
• The Hens are the dominant partner throughout most of the year, apart from the period leading up to breeding.  Only at this time will the cock bird overcome his natural reserve and mate with the hen, so if you miss this period you are likely to end up with infertile eggs!
  
• Each pair will need two nesting boxes to choose from. 
    
• Nest boxes should be deep - approx 2ft - 2ft 6" and approx. 10 -12" square.  
  
• See Easibed for wood chip to give them a good deep base. 
  
• The Nestbox should be of stout construction to help keep the interior warm as possible, for the hen bird and chicks, esp. if the weather should be very cold.  
  
• Make sure you place the N.box in a sheltered place and as high as is conveniently manageable.
  
• Once the nest box is selected the female will lay :
   
• No. of EGGS in Average Clutch  : 3 - 6 eggs.
  
• INCUBATION :  is between 22 and 24 days 
  
• FLEDGING : The young will leave the nest approx. 6 - 7 weeks after they hatch.
  
• CLOSE RING : @ 10 - 14 days - Usually when eyes have started to open & are approx 1/2 open.
  
• RING SIZE : Sn   (for the Indian Ringneck) 
  - as the African Ringneck is a slightly bigger bird, it may need a bigger ring ??
  
• RING SIZE for the ALEXANDRINE Parakeet :   T
  
• Alexandrine Parakeets can go to nest early too - usually fairly soon after the Ring necks.
  
• POTENTIAL PROBLEMS :
  
  • These parakeets can have a loud scream and are therefore not really "close-neighbour-friendly".