Castle Aviaries

HARZ ROLLER, SERINUS CANARIA FORMA DOMESTICA

  • Weight: 15-20 g
  • Length: approx. 13-14 cm
  • Domesticated form of the wild canary
  • Both sexes are similarly colored, with the female not singing
  • Wild canary distribution: Northwest Africa, Canary Islands, Azores Islands

Habitat (wild canary): Forest edges, urban parks, and clearings

Diet (wild canary): Small seeds

Interesting Facts:
The canary is a domesticated form of the wild canary, which originally had a green color. The wild canary is one of the first small birds to have been domesticated in Europe. Along with its domestication, new variations — mutations — developed, affecting the color and shape of feathers, size and shape of the body, as well as song. As a result, three different breeding lines were created, one of which is this canary.

A distinctive feature of the Harcký canary is its song. Breeders even organize singing competitions for canaries. The unique parts of their song compared to other songbirds are called "tours." The canary is very social and relatively easy to care for. It can withstand cooler temperatures and loves to fly and bathe.

Amazon Aestiva

  • Weight: 300–500 g
  • Length: 35-37 cm
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Not visible
  • Tendency to Obesity: This species is prone to gaining weight
  • Behavior: During breeding season, they live in pairs, but outside of breeding season, they form flocks of up to thousands of individuals

Habitat: Native to Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Found in tropical rainforests and woodlands, but they also fly to farmlands in search of food

Diet: Seeds from palms and other trees, grains, fruits

Interesting Facts:

The Amazon is an excellent imitator, capable of copying human speech, surrounding sounds, words, or even full sentences. It is relatively easy to tame, especially if raised at a young age. Due to its ability to mimic sounds and speak, this species is a popular pet in human households. One of its drawbacks is its tendency to become obese, which can lead to health issues. This species, like many parrots, enjoys bathing and frequently engages in chewing branches with its strong beak.

APROSMICTUS ERYTHROPTERUS

  • Weight: approx. 140 g
  • Length: 32-35 cm
  • Sexual dimorphism: Females are less brightly colored than males
  • Temperament: A shy and somewhat intolerant species, particularly aggressive during the breeding season

Natural Habitat: Northern and northeastern Australia, southern New Guinea. In the wild, they often move in the company of other parrot species. They live in pairs or family groups and occasionally form flocks of 15–20 individuals

Habitat: Eucalyptus forests and vegetation along waterways. Dry acacia scrub and other forested areas.

Diet: Fruits, berries, partially ripened seeds from grasses, shrubs, and trees, nuts.

Interesting Facts:

The crimson-winged parrot is one of the more commonly kept exotic birds in Czech aviaries, likely due to its ability to adapt well to temperate climates. It is a mistrustful and cautious bird. During the breeding season, males can be quite aggressive. These parrots love flying and enjoy getting wet in the rain, although they don’t often engage in traditional bathing.

Small Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

  • Weight: 140 g
  • Length: 40-41 cm
  • Behavior: Outside of the breeding season, they gather in large flocks
  • Sexual dimorphism: Females lack the pink neck ring

Distribution: Northern, Central, and Eastern Africa, Iraq, Iran, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Southeastern China, and Indochina. Holds the largest distribution area of all parrot species

Habitat: Forested areas up to 1600 m above sea level. Open landscapes with groups of trees, especially along roads, watercourses, and human settlements

Diet: Tree seeds, grains, fruits, berries, and green food

Interesting Facts:

The Small Alexandrine parakeet is a relatively common pet bird, well adapted to cooler climates. The most commonly kept types are its color mutations. It is a less social parrot, although it can learn a few simple words or sounds. A downside is its loudness, particularly when startled or exposed to unfamiliar situations, as it emits a loud scream. It enjoys chewing on aviary equipment, but this can be mitigated by providing plenty of branches for it to chew on.

African Grey Parrot - Congo Grey (Psittacus erithacus) "Oskárek"

  • Weight: 400–600 g
  • Length: 33–40 cm
  • Behavior: They gather in large flocks (often causing significant damage)
  • Sexual dimorphism: Both sexes are similarly colored

Distribution: Equatorial Africa, Guinea Gulf islands

Habitat: Forested areas, dense rainforests along coastal and river regions

Diet: Seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, various berries

Interesting Facts:

The African Grey parrot is highly intelligent and social, and it is very friendly toward other members of its species. It is one of the most well-known ornamental birds and the best imitators. It can learn to repeat various words, sentences, melodies, and sounds it hears around it. Another favorite activity is climbing on the cage, but it also needs the opportunity to fly. Due to its affectionate nature and trainability, it is a highly sought-after companion. However, it requires time and a sensitive approach from its keeper. Without proper care, it can become hostile. With good care, it can live for 60–70 years.

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) "TONÍČEK"

  • Weight: 300–380 g
  • Length: 34-36 cm
  • Behavior: Quite noisy
  • Sexual dimorphism: Both sexes are similarly colored, with the only difference being the eye color
  • Social Behavior: Pairs stay together even when integrated into larger flocks

Habitat: Indonesia; Tropical rainforests and open landscapes

Diet: Seeds from trees, shrubs, weeds, and grains, bananas, berries

Interesting Facts:

The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo is known for its increased destructive tendencies. This bird loves to chew on branches or toys, which it needs for its psychological well-being. It also enjoys spending time on the ground and, like many other parrots, loves getting wet in the rain. Highly intelligent and relatively easy to tame, it can become quite attached to its human caregivers. However, it tends to be intolerant toward other members of its species or different birds. Similar to the African Grey Parrot, it may form a strong bond with just one family member, becoming aggressive toward others. 

Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

  • Weight: Up to 240 g
  • Length: 42–45 cm
  • Sexual dimorphism: Distinct, with males and females having different coloration

Distribution: Eastern and southeastern Australia

Habitat: Forests with dense undergrowth; tropical rainforests, eucalyptus groves; also found in national parks

Diet: Fruit, berries, nuts, grass seeds, green parts of trees and shrubs

Interesting Facts:

The Australian King Parrot is a popular bird for breeding and is commonly kept in captivity. They are very easy to tame, especially when young. They often learn a few words or melodies and can even take treats directly from a person's hand. Known for their high intelligence, these parrots are calm and composed. One of their favorite activities is bathing, which they do quite frequently.

Yellow-throated Macaw (Primolius auricollis)

  • Weight: 270-320 g
  • Length: 38 cm
  • Sexual dimorphism: No visible difference in coloration between males and females

Distribution: Bolivia, northern Argentina, Paraguay, central and southwestern Brazil

Habitat: Tropical forests, open areas

Diet: Figs and other fruits, various seeds, flowers

Interesting Facts:

The Yellow-throated Macaw is an intelligent and inventive parrot, known for its peaceful and calm nature. It is one of the smaller species within the macaw genus, making it a popular choice for bird enthusiasts.

Small Macaw (Ara severus)

  • Weight: 300-380 g
  • Length: 46 cm
  • Sexual dimorphism: Both sexes are similarly colored, but young macaws have a black iris that changes to yellow after several months.

Distribution: Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Bahai

Habitat: Tropical areas along riverbanks, rainforests, open forests, savannas; agricultural areas in search of food

Diet: Fruits, seeds, figs, berries, nuts, occasionally nectar

Interesting Facts:

The Small Macaw is a relatively common species in aviculture in the Czech Republic. It is one of the smaller species of macaws, but still among the largest of the small macaw species. Unlike larger macaws, it is not as noisy and typically only vocalizes when startled. Some hand-raised Small Macaws can learn a few words, although this depends on the individual. Unlike Amazon parrots, which are prone to obesity, macaws need more fats in their diet. A lack of fats can cause reproductive or developmental problems in young macaws.

Cuban Amazon (Amazona leucocephala)

  • Weight: 240 g
  • Length: 32-34 cm
  • Sexual dimorphism: Both sexes are similarly colored
  • Social behavior: Live in pairs, but form flocks outside the breeding season

Distribution: Cuba, Cayman Islands, Bahamas

Habitat: Rainforests, hilly forests, wooded plains

Diet: Fruits, berries, seeds, buds, flowers, green tree shoots

Interesting Facts:

The Cuban Amazon is easy to tame at a young age and can learn a few simple words and melodies. Adult Cuban Amazons are intolerant of other bird species in the same aviary. They are very sensitive to sudden temperature changes and cold, damp weather. Breeding these parrots is highly demanding and considered a significant achievement in aviculture. One of their favorite activities is bathing, and they are known to destroy aviary equipment, though this can be mitigated by providing plenty of branches or toys for chewing. Cuban Amazons are long-lived parrots and can live 40-60 years with proper care.

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

  • Weight: 30-40 g
  • Length: 20-21 cm
  • Social behavior: Spend most of their lives in large flocks
  • Color: Wild budgerigars are light green, with females having a brown or brownish-white cere, while males have a blue cere
  • Mutations: Budgerigars in colors other than green

Distribution: Most of Australia, excluding coastal areas

Habitat: Open country with shrubbery, grassy areas

Diet: Grass seeds

Interesting Facts:

Budgerigars are very social and intelligent birds. They are easy to tame and enjoy bathing in damp grass, though they do not necessarily require direct water bathing. Cold conditions are not much of a problem for them. Due to their friendly nature and low maintenance, they are popular as pet companions. Their colorful mutations are often bred, leading to a separate breeding direction known as "exhibition budgerigars," where breeding criteria focus on body size, head shape, color, and the passing down of specific genetic traits.

Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis)

  • Weight: 120 g
  • Length: Approximately 30 cm
  • Color: Both sexes have the same coloring

Distribution: Found in Guyana, and occasionally in southeastern Venezuela and northeastern Brazil

Social Behavior: Typically seen in flocks

Habitat: Prefers open savannas and builds nests in tree cavities, particularly in palm tree trunks

Diet: Sunflower seeds, seeds of various grasses, millet, quinoa, shelled oats, peanuts, or nut kernels

Interesting Facts:

Sun Conures are cold-resistant and require a regular supply of fresh branches for chewing. They can be very noisy and have a strong bite, which can be quite painful.

Brown-Fronted Parakeet (Eupsittula pertinax)

  • Weight: Up to 100 g
  • Length: Approximately 25 cm
  • Color: Both sexes have the same coloration

Distribution: Found in Panama, northern South America, and islands north of Venezuela. These parrots form smaller flocks, usually up to 30 individuals.

Habitat: Found in higher shrubbery, moist forests, forest edges, open landscapes, dry vegetation, savannas, palm plantations, mangrove forests, and cultivated areas.

Diet: They feed on various seeds (mainly acacia and cactus seeds), berries, fruits, nuts, flowers, nectar, buds, agricultural plants, and other plant matter. Occasionally, they can be seen eating insects.

Interesting Facts:

These are very social birds that live in monogamous pairs and form large flocks. They tend to be noisy, often calling out even while flying. As destructive birds, they should be provided with fresh branches regularly to chew on. This species of parakeet is one of the few that does not roost in nesting cavities year-round, using them only during the breeding season. As neotropical parrots, they need supplementary heating during the winter to maintain a temperature of at least 15°C.

Red-Masked Parakeet (Psittacara rubritorquis)

  • Weight: Up to 220 g
  • Length: Approximately 30 cm
  • Coloration: Both sexes have the same coloration

Distribution: In the wild, this species is found primarily in Honduras, eastern Guatemala, northern El Salvador, and northern Nicaragua.

Diet: They feed on fruit, nuts, and plants cultivated on plantations.