Pets Australia Issue 70 August 2017

88

PETS | Creature feature

August http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine

Photo: Marina Jay/BigStock.com

20 years and established Karmic Aviaries in 1984.

Mick sadly passed away in November 2015, but

Karin’s love for these beautiful birds continues.

“As a companion bird, hand-reared Alexandrines

make an absolutely adorable pet. They are far

more aff ectionate than a Ringneck,” Karin says.

“They are very adept at learning words as well

as mimicking sounds, for example telephones,

answering machines and microwave ovens.”

Karin shares stories of a male Alexandrine she

bred that learned a long list of phrases and could

speak in three languages, and of an Alexandrine

in Sydney that raised the alarm and saved its

owners from a house fi re roughly 10 years ago.

“They are quite clever, I believe as clever as an

African Grey, when correctly trained,” she says.

Dail Malins, CEO of Queensland’s Parrots in

Paradise sanctuary, is another woman with

a passion for all things Alexandrine. Having

owned and hand-reared Alexandrines since

1994, and many other breeds prior to that, Dail

nominates the breed’s gentle nature as its most

lovable characteristic. “Of all the birds I have

had to work with over the last 49 years, the

Alexandrine is the most steady and one of the

If you’re looking for an intelligent and lovable

bird for your family, the Alexandrine Parakeet

might just be your perfect feathered friend.

With a history that dates back to the time of

Alexander the Great, Alexandrines are known for

their gorgeous green plumage, their talkative

nature and their endearing personalities.

“I love their aff ectionate personality, the way

they can adapt to your needs and give you many

hours of joy and fulfi lment,” Karin Blake from

Karmic Aviaries says. Karin and her husband,

Mick, have hand-raised Alexandrines for almost

The gentle,

aff ectionate and

talkative Alexandrine

is a parrot with

plenty of personality.

Tim Falk reports.

The Alexandrine

Parakeet is one

gorgeous bird.

ALEXANDRINE THE GREATALEXANDRINE THE GREATALEXANDRINE THE GREAT

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