Indian Ringnecks

Look but don't touch

The Indian ringneck is a great talker, an impressive attribute in its own right, but it’s their voices that make them such an attractive parrot to many people. They have a most adorably sweet and expressive quality to their voice – it puts an ear to ear grin on your face that is impossible to wipe off. If you go online and check out videos of talking indian ringnecks, you will want one, guaranteed. BUT, before you buy, you should know that they have earned a reputation of being difficult birds to own. Indian ringnecks are not exactly “people” birds. While some will allow some forms of physical interaction, many do not care to be handled by humans.

This quality does not make them unfriendly, just independent. They are perfectly happy in the presence of their owners, and will agreeably step up for a ride to the living room, but generally, they prefer the relationship to be otherwise hands-off. It is our human habit to lavish affection on a new pet when we first bring them home. We mean well, and we aim to make the newcomer feel loved, but while that might feel good to a puppy, it can feel forceful to a bird.

When your bird is an Indian ringneck, you can multiply that discomfort times ten. This information is rarely shared by breeders or store employees with potential customers, some of whom are looking for a cuddly new pet. Heaven forbid a sale be lost.

However, it is their most relevant characteristic because it can result in behavioral problems when poorly informed new owners unintentionally mishandle their new indian ringneck. During breeding season, the indian ringneck changes its tune and becomes very physically affectionate, although not in a good way. They become reactive to the hormones in their system and DEMAND your attention.

It must be understood by the owner that the advances are of a sexual nature, and when you don’t respond appropriately (to their way of thinking,) they become offended and nippy. Another breeding behavior common with this species is regurgitation. During breeding season they will often leave a white, pasty coat of regurgitation of their favorite toys, requiring extra cleaning efforts from their owners.

Loveable in their own way

This is not to imply in any way the the indian ringneck is a poor choice for those looking for a parrot to love – they just require companionship in a different way than other birds. The indian ringneck needs an owner that understands and accepts its nature.

If you are the type of bird owner who doesn’t require physical interaction from your bird, this might be a great species for you. They are remarkably intelligent parrots, who learn to speak from an early age, and you will love spending time teaching new words to your bird – if only to hear its delightful voice.

Why not take it a step further and train your bird to do tricks to accompany that cute voice?

Even birds that prefer not to be touched need meaningful interaction with their owners. Training is the perfect way to spend time with your bird in a way that is non-invasive to him physically but still provides the perfect outlet for quality time together.

44 comments

mark castro

I just read your intro to ringnecks. Mine is different, I have a male, 1year old and has taken a total turn around on how he has been acting. Now he wants nothing to do with me and refuses to go back in his cage. I am totally baffled on this, I dont know what to do. I also have 2 other birds, a 6mo old green irn, and a 2tr old sun conure. All have there own cages, and they do sleep in the same room. I need help bad.

mark castro
sheetal

hey, i baby just got myself a pair of alexander parrot babies. can you help me with them? thank you

sheetal
Sharlene

Just like Laurie’s comment… My female IRN is very attached to me . She is 6 years old and the beginning of her life was an aweful one being stuck in a canary cage and not let out .I’ve owner her for about 8 months. She was very hormonal and I discouraged this but not petting her anywhere and putting her on a freestanding perch. The past 6 weeks I’ve been getting attacked. With no interacting just minding my own business she flys to me and bites to hurt on my neck ears and fingers. I’ve noticed she just cluck with her advances but her pupils are constantly dilated and she attacks. I thi k she has a jeolosy issue but I can not figure out what.. Instead of her free flying the house I’ve tried putting her on an outdoor avery which is 4 meters but 1.8 but she’s just squarking the whole time. I really don’t know what to do and as much as I do t want to I may need to rehome her. But I could potentially try a new male mate . Any ideas from anyone is appreciated.

Sharlene
laurie

I have a female IRN. Ive had her since she was 5 weeks old and now shes almost 2. She gets very violent when the hormones kick in. Im talking black eyes very bad bites. She goes after my face out of no where. No warning . Also how do I train her tricks etc.. if I touch a toy she will bite me . She is very sweet most of the time but I need any help I can get about the issues I have with her. thank you in advanced

laurie
Nadine

Hello from New Zealand. I was wondering if you could possibly do a YouTube video regarding the IRN bluffing stage & the best way/training to get through this stage with all fingers & thumbs remaining intact lol. BTW, I absolutely LOVE your YouTube clips! Thank you for taking the time to read my comment. Merry Christmas & (almost) New Year

Nadine
Christina Mac

I have a 9 week old hand reared IRN called Missy and was wondering at what age can I start poop training her so she will know to go to one spot for pooping.

Christina Mac
lucinda sturman

thanks this info helped a lot my daughter loves watching your videos and find u fun and interesting to watch in her spare time .

lucinda sturman
Pooja

Would tips and tricks on teaching my rescued IRN. Not sure if his age . He has been home for about 5 weeks now and still doesn’t have any interest in stepping up. Please Help

Pooja
Marie

Hi my name is marie, I recently watched your video with touché about how he let you pet him for the first time after almost 3months. I bought a violet Indian ringneck almost a month ago now. He/she(waiting on dna results but pretty sure my baby is a boy) has come a long way since I brought him home. I spend a lot of time with him and he steps up and wants to be on me all the time. It has been a process but is now taking treats from my hands chews on them a little but only deals with my hands when he has to. Other wise does not like hands does not let me pet him. And obviously that’s all I want to do lol. Just wanting to hear your experience a little more with touche’ and capris’ thoughts on it. Touche’ seemed to really like her. Wondering what you both did to get to that point and earn his trust. hoping one day bleu will want some loves from his momma. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you guys! -marie

Marie
ARAHAN DHANORIAA

I need to buy, for my Alexandrine Parrot pallets, just like smarthart, mixed colorful pallets with all vitamins and minerals and nutrients in it.

ARAHAN DHANORIAA
Maria Morales

I have learned so much from Bird Tricks and other great parrot videos. I am a parrot owner to a Sun Conure (female) and an Indian Ringneck (male). The information in here was right on point for my boy! We enjoy each others company minus the mush affection! LOL. He lets me know he loves me in his own cute way.

Maria Morales
Jessica Johns

that the opposite my ringneck she is really good at training loves talking loves to be with me i am 13 so i still have to go to school sia offten does a mating dance and i don’t know why i don’t encourage it i dont sexually stimulate her shes on the natural sesonal feeding system she does not regurtate anywhere shes 8 years old i rescued her last year she is very social Can you help ?

Jessica Johns
Ammar Mukerdam

How do I make my Indian ring neck talk

Ammar Mukerdam
Mark

Hi do we put our ring necks on a diet the ring neck are 6months up too 2 years old we also need help to train our tamed ring necks to step up if you can help when we try they bite bad why’s that

Mark
Ritika

i dont really know what to feed my ringneck she doesnt like vegetables at all and all she eats is tortilas and coocked pasta help me pleasee

Ritika
Mark

Hi it’s mark can you teach untamed ring necks to talk also to step up can you help

Mark
Logan

I purchased my juvenile indian ringneck some time last July. I have worked hard with her to not only allow me to pet her/hold her, but to also enjoy it. Now, most times whenever she is loud, it’s because she wants to be pet and scratched. My only problem (that I am still training her with) is that she loves to chew on my glasses and earlobes when she is on my shoulder. I enjoy training her and only wish I could move things faster. After shoulder training is complete, I’m going to do harness training 💕

Logan
Greeshma S R

Helo.. My kummu is 7 months old IRN and she is a bird with special needs.And she is exactly how u said not at all cuddly.Her leg is broken wen she was 4 months old after that she seems stressed and pluck her feathers frequently. Right now we kept her inside house in a woden frame with out iorn bars and we arranged some of her favorite toys and perches inside it.It is like a private space more than a cage.And she is free to move around the house. But she seems boring over there and likes to go out and watch things. So we are planing to move her outside in a cage during day time. As she is not having any prior cage experience i am anxious abou how will she reacts it. So i want to make it arrange in such a way that she feel comfort and fun inside at the same time i want it to be safe for her. Please help me by giving tips and techniques that i can use l

Greeshma S R
Tara

I have 2 IRN, male (3 months) and female (2 years). They are completely independent birds, think of someone who wants you to know they don’t “need” you but you can hang out for now. Not for first time bird owners, these guys require patience and respect of their space. Otherwise, they’re fantastic birds!! Hence the reason we just brought the baby home. He’s going through the bluffing stage right now, another IRN trait. Our female is sweet as can be, loves attention and talks all the time. When she’s had enough interaction, she flies back to her cage. I think it just takes a confident and patient bird person for these guys.

Tara
Sandy

I have two male Indian Ringnecks, one is eleven years old and the other almost two years old. The older bird is extremely social, super inquisitive and wants to hang out with us whenever he gets the chance. He also loves visiting our local cafes with us and will step up to strangers for photo opportunities. The younger boy is learning quickly and is becoming more social everyday. Both love to chat and they give us soooo much pleasure everyday

Sandy
Aashu

Am an unintended new bird owner. Rescued a 4month old IRN, it’s been 3months since rescue and it has been with us since. Took him/her a month to heal, not sure of the gender. I think I will let it surprise me few months down the line with gender. Guessing it’s a female and named her Chilli. Anyway I feel chilli is quite smart and shrud. Have taken chilli through basic training such as step up step down and so on. Very moody and independent, at times I wonder if it’s me or chilli that is training me to do stuff her way. Bluffing stage is a task, past few weeks she has stopped biting my ear but surprisingly I haven’t been bitten to blood however rest of the house is her playground to bite on. It does trust me but bonds with me only when it feel like. The issues am facing right now is giving her medicines with the syringe which the vet has prescribed so it’s 2 tonics every alternate day for 2 months so that’s turning out to be a task, as chilli is not at all happy about having her tonic so am forced to hold chilli with a cloth and then give it to her I do follow it up with a bit of treat but at times am scared I may loose her trust. Secondly we have lots of birds in the vicinity specially crows so I do tend to feed them so I wonder if it gets jealous, I noticed it gets frantic and starts flying around the house like crazy so have to again feed chilli with a treat so that it calms down. Thirdly when I go to keep food in chilli’s food bowl inside its cage it suddenly gets very aggressive and tends to bite, but only in that moment as though it’s trying to say get away from here but once I give it space it flys back on my shoulder and everything is normal as though nothing happened. Is it ok to tame her gradually at her speed and let her be independent. She doesn’t even scream or talk a lot, only when no one’s around in the room she tends to get vocal it’s like she’s calling out to us. Once someone is around she relaxes. Oh ya and she doesn’t miss her afternoon naps 😂. That’s my story for you guys. Lots of love and power to all you guys reading it. Thank you Dave and Jamieleigh for all your YouTube videos it been very helpful and informative. All the way from India.♥️

Aashu
rachel

I cant find anything on alexandrians on your page

rachel
Kaye Giuliani

My juvenile Indian Ringneck parrot escaped out the back door(!) He was in a nearby tree and talking back and forth with us, but would not come ti us. We put his cage – partially covered – in hooes that he would take shelter , but to no avail. A driving rain and high winds tortured us through the night. In the morning, there was no trace of him — sight or sound. Of course posted ads on a dozen local sites and hung by the phone. Luckily, he knocked on a window (over a mile away!) and he was invited inside by people who found my postings and called to tell us they had our baby. Now, we are faced with the heartbreaking decision of whether or not to clip his wings… What else can we do to make sure that he never slips away like that again?

Kaye Giuliani
Noemi

I have a girl Indian ringneck I thought she was lonely so I bought a boy Indian ringneck but she doesn’t want him she bites him so now there in different cages what can I do

Noemi
Wendy Myers

I’m New to the Indian Ringneck. Just trying to learn everything!

Wendy Myers

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