Future Rock Pebbler (Regent Parrot) Parent

[august8pm]

In the next couple months, I'll be the proud parent of a Rock Pebbler Parakeet (aka Regent Parrot, Smoker, Smoker Parrot, Mallee Smoker, Rock Peplar, Black-tailed Parrot or Parakeet, Regal Parrot, and Marlock Parrot).

For a bird with so many names, there's not a great deal of information about them. I'd be very happy to connect with and learn from others with Rock Pebbler experience.

Thanks and I'm looking forward to meeting you.

 

[MikeyTN]

They're quite pretty actually!!! I've never seen them around before....Please do post pictures when you do get one!!!

 

[RavensGryf]

My mom has a Princess of Wales keet, which is in the same Polytelis family, but a little smaller than the RP. I have seen Rock Pebblers before but only once or twice. If you see them in the US they're usually aviary birds.

Patches (the POW) loves running around on the ground and playing with toys, he talks, and is VERY active. He's a little clown. Like most parakeet species, he doesn't like to be touched.
Good luck with yours!

 

[august8pm]

They're quite pretty actually!!! I've never seen them around before....Please do post pictures when you do get one!!!

I will! Definitely

 

[antoinette]

How exciting Congrats

So man different names OMG

Looking forward to hearing and seeing your new bird

 

[august8pm]

My mom has a Princess of Wales keet, which is in the same Polytelis family, but a little smaller than the RP. I have seen Rock Pebblers before but only once or twice. If you see them in the US they're usually aviary birds.

Patches (the POW) loves running around on the ground and playing with toys, he talks, and is VERY active. He's a little clown. Like most parakeet species, he doesn't like to be touched.
Good luck with yours!

Based on my research, Rock Pebblers are known for being friendly and non-aggressive to other birds, so I imagine that (and their pigeon-like size) accounts for their popularity as an aviary bird.

Apparently, those qualities carry over when they are hand raised and kept as pets. "Naturally tame," "friendly to everyone," "never bites," "pleasant voice," "quieter than budgies or cockatiels," "hardy birds that will eat anything," and "non-destructive" are just some of the many overwhelmingly positive things I've read about them.

As you mentioned about the Princess of Wales, I've heard Rock Pebblers aren't known for being cuddlers. But the few pet RPs on YouTube seem happy and affectionate in their own way. It's been said that they aren't ... um ... the smartest parrot in the aviary, but a very astute member on another board pointed out that may not be such a bad thing.

For someone like me, who hasn't had a bird quite a long time, they seem like the perfect combination.

 

[RavensGryf]

August8pm, even though the Rock Pebblers and my mother's Princess parakeet are related, I wonder how they really differ in personality by species? Patches does get along with her much smaller Bourke's parakeet, but he bosses him around at times. He'll never hurt him though. He is quiet. His loudest call he doesn't use all the time, but it sort of sounds like a person using their fingers in their mouth to whistle... Well, not really, but similar and maybe not quite as ear piercingly loud as some people can do it lol. Other than that, he has a pleasant warble, and he does talk. It sounds very cute. Patches is SO active that unless he's resting, he's always moving fast. Maybe RP aren't quite as fast cause they're bigger.

I don't know what is meant by "naturally tame" because Patches (and other aviary parakeet species) do not like human hands on them. Depending on the level of early socialization, they might like to step up, or at best get on your shoulder and climb on you, but as a general rule of the Australian parakeets, they never like petting. It's just not in their nature. They still make wonderful and entertaining little buddies though

Oh, I had to comment on the quieter than Budgies... Anyone who has a male or two knows that Budgies are FAR from quiet! Super noisy AND can be loud believe it or not (for their size).

Also, I don't know if she'll see this thread, but member "freespin" in New Zealand had a Barabands, the third Polytelis : )

 

[Terry57]

I have a friend who has a Rock Pebbler, and it is such a beautiful bird! Hers is tame and will sit on her shoulder, and is a sweetheart
Can't wait to see pictures of yours!

 

[august8pm]

@RavensGryf: Thank you for the insight into the Aussie Parakeets. I'm sure there must be common traits among them. All my Rock Pebbler info is second-hand, but seemed to come from very knowledgable sources. But that's about as far as I can vouch for them.

If all goes as planned, I'll get my three month-old hand fed baby in May. Just in time for better weather and lots of socialization. I've seen other owners comment that their RPs took to flight suits very quickly. Hopefully mine will, too, and that will present plenty of opportunity to meet new people and experience new things at a young age.

The "naturally tame" comment was probably more "almost naturally tame" because I know it was made with regard to their friendliness as an aviary bird. But that person's criteria for "tame" may be very different from yours or mine.

And I've had a male budgie (and cockatiels), and I'll totally back you up on the fact that they are anything but "quiet." Quieter than some other parrots, yes. But quiet? Um...no.

 

[august8pm]

I have a friend who has a Rock Pebbler, and it is such a beautiful bird! Hers is tame and will sit on her shoulder, and is a sweetheart
Can't wait to see pictures of yours!

Thanks very much, Terry. I'm looking forward it!

 

[ashgate]

I am also looking for rock pebblers can you let me know who you found had them for sale?

 

[veimar]

Wow! Congrats! WHERE on earth did you get him?!?!? They are SO RARE!!
I noticed you are in Chicago area - do you know of a good breeder here? I know people who are looking for the Regent parrot, and I've done research on them myself. They are so pretty and rather big for a keet. I've read that they make awesome pets.
Please post pictures and let me know where you got him!

 

[Sterling1113]

Welcome, and congrats on your rock pebbler! I've never owned one, but I spent time with one, you can see my thread about her here ---> http://www.parrotforums.com/others/45555-rock-pebbler-regent-parakeet-pics.html

There's also two more at the shop that I got my Alexandrine from, I visit weekly to get food, they are just too cute.