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Superb Parrot
or Barraband Parakeet
THE BARABAND PARAKEET
A Superb Parrot!
by LINDA S. RUBIN, SPBE Panel Judge

©2000 All Photos and Articles “All Rights Reserved” by Author.
Written permission from author required for reprints.

First published in BIRD TIMES magazine 2002  
A vibrant parakeet, the baraband, Polytelis swainsonii, also known as the superb parrot, originates from
Australia. The baraband's elegant demeanor is heightened by its slender shape and long tapering tail,
which is predominately a soft shade of bright green. Males of the species have a rich shade of yellow on
the forehead and crown. That shade is repeated in a large area covering the cheeks and throat. A flaring
broad crescent of light, bright red frames the lower boundaries of yellow on the throat, while the beak is a
slightly duller shade of red.


Female and immature birds lack the yellow and red markings of the mature male. Females are less
numerous than males and are often difficult to identify because of their resemblance to the young male -
many breeders have found that, just as they begin to dream of nesting successes, their "females"
suddenly mature into males. This color change typically takes place between 12 and 18 months of age.
Breeders should purchase females that are approximately 2 years old to be certain of their gender.


In its native Australia, the baraband is indigenous to the interior of New South Wales in the range of the
River Murrumbidgee, and in northern Victoria. They are usually found along the narrow wooded strips
alongside the river and rarely stray far from the water. Thanks to artificial irrigation in the regions'
grain-farming areas, however, the habitat of the baraband has spread during the last few decades. That
range of distribution is still quite small, but where they do occur the baraband is very common - flocks of
up to 50 birds have been observed.

During breeding season, which occurs from December to September in the wild, the birds are typically
observed in groups of eight to 10. Nests are located inside high, hollow branches, well outside the range of
land-bound predators. Males often leave the flock in smaller groups during breeding season to provide
their females with food. Dietary preferences include various seeds - including grasses, alfalfa, nettles,
thistles, shepherd's purse and cranesbill - as well as grain stolen from area farms. Berries and flower
nectar round out the diet of the bird in the wild.


In captivity, the baraband parakeet requires a diet of seed mixes fortified with vitamins and minerals
suitable for small hookbills or cockatiels and/or a suitable pelleted or extruded diet. Fresh fruit, dark-green
leafy vegetables, spray millet and corn (especially when feeding young) are also a necessary part of the
diet for pet barabands. (Read Adding Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to Your Cockatiel's Diet, which also
applies to Barabands). All birds should be provided with fresh cuttlebone and fresh water.


Those wishing to breed the baraband parakeet in captivity should house pairs separately in long, spacious
aviaries so they don't become overly fat. Although sexual maturity is already attained at the age of 1, birds
do not normally begin to breed until they are 2 to 3 years old. For increased breeding success, maintain
slight humidity in the nesting area. The female typically produces four to six eggs, with an incubation
period of approximately 20 days and a nestling period of 30 days.


An eye should be kept on the male once the chicks fledge, to be certain he does not become prematurely
aggressive and harm the young in his desire to start a new nest. Fledglings must also be watched
carefully because their initial attempts to fly can produce uncoordinated movements that can result in
injury. For this reason, it is important not to startle the young birds. This period of clumsiness generally
does not last long, however, and young birds become proficient flyers after only a few days of effort.


Once the baraband parakeet reaches maturity, the awkwardness of youth becomes a distant memory. By
all accounts, the baraband parakeet is a joy to keep and observe, mixing a good-natured demeanor with a
hardy, enduring physical condition. The birds have long been prized for their ability to grow tame quickly,
and they are peaceful with other congenial birds.


The baraband parakeet's beauty was recognized at the 1999 National Cage Bird Show, the largest bird
show in the United States, held during November in Buffalo, New York. In a historic decision, a baraband
won Best Parrot in Division, the American Federation of Aviculture Natiional Show Award for Best Bred &
Banded by Exhibitor, and the Scannell Award for overall Best Bird in Show. This marked the first time any
one bird won all three of the show's most prestigious awards, and the first time for any parrot to earn all
three.  A remarkable achievement for a truly superb bird!
Linda S. Rubin has raised and kept cockatiels and parrots for more than 30 years and is the author of several books at
www.CockatielsPlusParrrots.com.  She is the Founding President of the Cockatiel Foundation, Inc., long time Board Member of
the American Federation of Aviculture, Inc., and a Certified Panel Judge for the Cockatiel Foundation and the Society of Parrot
Breeders & Exhibitors.
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