Red Rumps as Pets?

[alexinatreena]

Hi all!

I came across Red Rumps Parrots/Parakeets a couple of months ago and was stunned by their beauty (I have 2 breeding pairs of budgies).

After my best friend and beloved budgie I bred who thought she was a human passed away almost a month ago, I thought of getting a Red Rump parakeet as I heard they were hardier birds (I don't want to go through another pet bird death anytime again soon).

I have the opportunity to purchase a hand-reared Red Rump Parakeet and I was just wondering if they make good (tame) pets, and what their personalities are like (I want to get a male as their colours are more vibrant) and I was wondering if they talk (it really doesnt make a difference whether they do or dont - just wondering)

Also, if you own a tame, pet, Red Rump some stories about yours or what it can do, what it likes to do, etc. - Just an opportunity to share some things about (and share the joys of) your pet Red Rump.

Thanks so much for your time!

[Monica]

Generally speaking, grass parakeets (including red rumps) aren't pets... they are more aviary pets... however, I'm sure if handraised/handled frequently they COULD be a good pet! They are not known for talking but I've heard of one male bourke who did say a few words... so it's not impossible either.

BTW, you don't need to post multiple topics on the same subject.

[buddabelly]

Male Redrumps can be quite agressive and will fight and injure, even kill each other.

I love mine but they are not hand friendly as they were/are aviary birds. I wouldn't put a redrump in with my Budgies, in different cages they will be fine.

[Vankarhi]

I know of people who own red rumps as breeders and they have told me that a handraised baby red rump make delightful pets. Talkabilitity I am not sure about, but I will find out for you. I was looking for a suitable bird for my little boy and they recommended a handraised redrump for him .........but I ended up getting him a handraised baby budgie and he is a lovely little bird too.

I will ask them and get back to you about the talkability and such of red rumps.

[alexinatreena]

Thanks so much Vankarhi.

[Vankarhi]

ok back again..... lol One of the breeders answered me and said he had been breeding Red Rumps for over 10 years (by the way I am Australian and I am talking to Aussie breeders). He said he has not had any problems with mixed aviaries of red rumps with budgies. He said the budgies will hold their own against almost any other bird. At one stage he had cockatiels, budgies, redrumps and princess parrots all housed in a big aviary with no problems. He presently has 12 pair of budgies in with 6 pairs of redrumps and he said "no problems". It depends on the size of the aviary too.

He also said with red rumps they DO make lovely pets if handraised and handled properly. His daughter had a pet redrump as a pet for a few years and only gave it back to him due to her moving into a small unit and not having the time to spend with the bird due to work. He also said they are not renowned for their talkability but has heard of a couple who did talk.......but I would imagine not very well. Scarlets, Bourkes and Princess parrots also make good pets too as do King parrots apparently, although I have no experience with these.

I hope this helps you with your questions

[alexinatreena]

Thanks Vankarhi. I really appreciate it!
And if you can, let the breeder you talked to for me know that I am grateful for the help and advice also.

Anyway, I have scoured the net for anything (and everything) on Red Rumps and I am pretty sure I will buy a male hand raised one to be an indoor pet (kept by itself). But the Red Rumps up for sale I was talking about (in my 1st post) wont be ready till mid February so I'm more than happy if anyone has more to share with me.

Thanks again. :)

[Vankarhi]

Not a problem Alexantreena. Apparently the red rumps can squabble amongst themselves and others but not as bad as some people might think. They also apparently have a beautiful song too.

Just remember with any bird if you want it to be a wonderful pet you need to spend quality time with it. Good luck with it and I for one am curious to see how your new baby goes.

[PyscoFalcon]

My Red Rump's not tame but can't keep him in indoor aviry as the quail kept jumping up and pulling his tail feathers out!

So he's in a cage in living room. Can't handle him but he does respond with whistles and chirps.

Be VERY careful tho as they potter about the floor LOTS. They are ground foragers so make sure floor is clean and no-one stands on them. Even tho not tame he's got used to us been around and with potter about the floor quit close to us. He's even bathed in the dogs water dish when we put fresh in! (Much the the dogs disgust lol)

Bobby is getting very old now so he dosen't come out as much due to stress of getting him back into his cage.

[Vankarhi]

I have since heard from 3 different breeders and they all said that red rumps handraised do make lovely little pets and one of them said she knows of someone who has pet female redrump who can talk a little also.

So good luck with your new baby when you get it.