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The Regal Indian Ringneck
The Indian Ringneck hails from West Africa through India to Indonesia. Most are between sixteen to seventeen inches long from the top of their head to the tip of their tail. They can weigh between 110g to 140g. These stunning birds come in wide variety of colours almost equal to that of budgies. They also have a very proud way about them. They way they hold their head and strut across the table or floor it’s like they know how beautiful they are.
These beautiful birds have captured my heart, too. Their beauty is bar none but it is their fun loving attitude that amazed me the most. They are so much like a kid in a candy store. There is so much to pick from, they can’t decide what to go for first. It is a hoot watching the excitement in their eyes. They will run in every direction trying to get their beaks on it all.
Many people wonder if a bird as large as an Indian Ringneck could be for them if they have been used to owning a smaller bird. I was one of those people but what I have learned is that the Indian Ringneck is a bird that can amuse itself very well if given ample toys to play with and you give these wonderful birds a wee bit of your time everyday, at least half an hour. Your wonderful pet can become untamed again if you do not find the time to do this. The little time it takes to play with you bird will far outweigh the love and affection they give back.
Another thing about an Indian Ringneck is that they tend to be a good family pet. This is because in the wild these birds don’t mate for life but will choose a different mate from season to season. It is for this reason the IRN has a tendency to share itself willing with the whole family if everyone interacts with it.
Not only do IRNs love to play, they love to bath. Provide them with a dish of water to splash in. You can also teach them to have a gentle shower in the tub with you or put the kitchen faucet on a mild spray and just watch the fun. Always monitor the water temperature when showering them. Do not leave your bird unattended.
Indian Ringnecks love to eat and are usually not picky. Offer them a wide variety of fruits and veggies, whole grain breads, pasta and rice along with their seed and pellets.
Now for the not so fun things you should know…. IRNs can be loud. If noise will be a factor at any time then maybe these birds are not for you. Also Indian Ringnecks seem to go through a cage possessive stage at about six-eight months of age. It is like suddenly they discover that this is my territory and I can defend it. Stick training helps with this stage. Practice “step up” on a stick before this stage hits. Always tell your bird to “step up” from the time you get it til the day he passes away and never get lazy about saying it! It is the most important training you will need with any bird you ever own.
And with that being said “step up” is more than likely the first words your bird will say to if he so chooses to speak. An Indian Ringneck has the capability to speak and speak very clearly. They are also able to have quite a vast vocabulary at times.
Written By: Deb Brown
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| Jasper |
Ghost |
| Photos courtesy of Deb |
Jasper is my first intro the world of IRNs. She is a loving girl. However, she is not too fond of men. Her vocabulary is very good. Her first words were: Hello Gabby, Hi Gabby, (Okay so she thinks my name is Gabby but only because my daughter’s Peachface lovebird, Gabby talk Jasper to talk and Gabby loves her name! Jasper then learned: Jasper is a good boy, Good boy baby, Good boy Jaspy! (no, I did not dna her when she was young and called her a boy until it was apparent she was not going to develop the coloured ring around her neck. Male ringnecks will get their adult plumage consisting of the coloured ring around their neck at about two-three years of age.) She also says, What are you doing?, Step up, Peek-a-boo.
However, it was the day she said, But I love you, too baby!!! It almost broke my heart and brought me to tears because “I love you” were the only three words I had actually tried to teach Jasper but she just would not say them. The day she did, I am sure was out of pure desperation on her part. We were doing reno’s and I was so busy. I just kept rushing past her cage then after one pass too many Jasper gave her plaintive cry, “But I love you too baby!” I stopped dead in my tracks and went back to her cage and wrapped her in my arms and told her, “I love you, too Jaspy!”
She has taught Ghost every word she knows and he has his own variations that suit his needs. Ghost is not cuddly like Jasper but her loves to be with me which can be difficult at times when Jasper it out too and she is “top bird”. But like children I love them each for the bird they are.
Deb
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