Shady Pines Aviary, Breeder of Caiques and Brotogeris Parakeets

Pacific Parrotlet or Celestial Parrotlet

Forpus coelestis

  • Parrots of the World, Joseph M. Forshaw (1978)

    MALE: general plumage dull green, much brighter and more yellowish on forehead, crown, cheeks and throat; blue line behind eye; occiput and nape bluish-grey; upper back, scapulars, innermost wing-coverts, and innermost secondaries greenish-grey; lower back, rump, under wing-coverts, and axillaries deep cobalt-blue, darker on rump; upper tail-coverts greenish-blue; primary and secondary-coverts, outer secondaries, and bases of inner primaries deep cobalt-blue; underparts green, tinged with grey on flanks and sides of breast; undersides of flight feathers bluish-green; tail dull green above, dusky green below; bill horn-colored; iris brown, legs brownish.

    FEMALE: all blue markings replaced by emerald green, though some birds show blue tinge behind eye and have rump washed with turquoise-blue; underparts less greyish and brighter green than in male; forehead, crown, cheeks and throat less yellowish.

    IMMATURES: similar to adults, though male has paler, more restricted blue line behind eye, less blue on wings and blue of rump and lower back intermixed with bluish-green.

    LENGTH: 12.5cm. (5")

  • The Atlas of Parrots, Dr. David Alderton (1991)

    ALTERNATIVE NAMES: Celestial Parrotlet; Lesson's Parrotlet.

    SEXES: The cock is bright apple green on the forehead, crown and cheeks, becoming silver-blue over the occiput and the nape of the neck, with blue coloration being most prominent immediately behind the eyes. The lower back and rump are dark cobalt blue, as are the under wing coverts and axillaries, with the upper tail coverts being greenish blue. The 'upper part of the back and the scapulars are greenish gray. The inner secondaries are similarly colored, with the outer secondaries being cobalt-blue. The lower surface of the flight feathers is bluish green. The underparts are green, with a prominent gray suffusion on the sides of the breast and flanks. The tail feathers are a dull shade of green on their upper surface, and dusky beneath. Beak pale pinkish white; legs pinkish; irides dark brown.

    Hens have the blue areas of the cock colored emerald-green, although some individuals retain a slight blue suffusion behind their edges, and occasionally on the rump as well. They are a purer shade of green overall, with less grayish suffusion, most noticeably over the wings.

    YOUNG BIRDS: Resemble adults, but have a pinker beak on fledging. They can be sexed at this stage although young cocks are less colorful than adults. The area of blue behind the eyes is reduced, as is that on the wings. Additionally, the lower back and rump are of a bluish green shade, rather than being pure blue.


  • Encyclopedia of Aviculture (1972)

    MALE: Forehead, crown, cheeks and chin bright green; hind crown, nape and hind neck bluish-grey blending into greenish-grey on the upper back. Lower back and rump very dark blue. Commencing behind the eye is a bright blue streak which encircles the ear-coverts and cheeks. Wings greenish, with dark blue upper and under-coverts. Upper tail-coverts green with a bluish tinge; tail green. Under parts green with a greyish tint on the sides. Iris brown; beak whitish; legs and feet flesh colored. Length: 5 inches.

    FEMALE: Slightly smaller. No blue on the wings and the rump may be entirely green or with a little blue. Under parts yellowish.

