Pics of 'Patches' Princess of Wales Parakeet!

[RavensGryf]

Patches is my mom's spoiled little boy. She's had him for about 7 years now. My mom previously had a terrible phobia of birds until I finally convinced her she needs birdy companions... so late in her life she had become a bird lover. I bet she wishes she had given it a try years earlier!

Anyway, Patches is a super active and funny guy
Princess of Wales are one of the Australian grass parakeets. He's about 110 grams so a bit bigger than a cockatiel. Though uncommon in the US, they're usually seen as aviary birds... Patches doesn't tolerate touching at all (and he's VERY quick)! He's a little clown and loves his toys and throws around little balls. It's more natural for him (and his Bourke's buddy also an Aussie grass keet) to run around fast on the ground instead of climbing like most parrots do. Patches has a surprisingly impressive vocabulary too!

Look at his tail in the last pic which really shows off how long it is!

 

[MikeyTN]

I've always wanted one!!!! They're magnificent!!!

 

[thekarens]

I agree with Mikey. Gorgeous birds with stunning tails.

 

[Mekaisto]

He's a cutie!
I'm surprised these guys aren't more popular overseas, they have a really nice disposition and personality.
But gosh "Princess of Wales parakeet" really doesn't roll off the tongue - we just call them princess parrots!

 

[strudel]

He's lovely. I like the first one, "whatcha doin'?"

 

[Kiwibird]

Wow, I've never seen a princess of whales parakeet before! Patches is beautiful, and your mom is lucky to have him Is he rolling that ball around in those pictures? He is just so cute, he looks like he'd be playful. And his tail is extremely long! Any (known) reason they have tails that long? Anyways, thank for sharing these adorable pictures.

 

[aliray]

So pretty!

 

[Terry57]

I have never seen one before! What a gorgeous bird, and wow, what a tail! So you have turned your Mom into a bird person

 

[RavensGryf]

Wow, I've never seen a princess of whales parakeet before! Patches is beautiful, and your mom is lucky to have him Is he rolling that ball around in those pictures? He is just so cute, he looks like he'd be playful. And his tail is extremely long! Any (known) reason they have tails that long? Anyways, thank for sharing these adorable pictures.

He not only rolls the ball, but he plays 'catch' with himself! He'll toss the ball then go run over to it, toss it somewhere else... He LOVES those plastic balls with bells. He also goes around ringing various bells that she has hanging low. Running from bell to bell... He's really hilarious and cute to watch. Someday I'll have to try and catch a video.

I'm not sure why their tail is so long (especially males) since it doesn't really seem practical in the wild, as they run on the ground much of the time. But maybe that's why he has extra small feet?