Lorito Mexicano
A small green parrot of Mexican origin. Relatively common in captivity.
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Ideal for
- ✓Families with time for daily interaction
- ✓Spacious homes (large birds need a room)
- ✓Those who accept a decades-long commitment (parrots live a long time)
Reconsider if
- ×Households with no time to socialise
- ×Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise)
- ×Homes with no room for flight
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Is the Lorito Mexicano a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
💶 Estimated cost of ownership
20-40 €/month
Seeds, pellets and fresh food 10-18 €; toys 5-10 €; avian vet apportionment 6-14 €. The cage and the bird itself as an initial investment.
History and origin
Native to Mexico. A small green parrot of Mexican origin.
Temperament and character
Intelligence varies by species. Parrots form strong bonds with their humans. They need daily mental stimulation · NOT just a cage.
Living together
Children: depends on the species + individual temperament. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Larger pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.
Life stages of the Lorito Mexicano
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 15-20 años.
Chick
0-2 months
Hand-rearing on formula; development of the dimorphism (blue on the male's wings/rump)
Juvenile
2-10 months
Weaning and socialisation; a bold character despite its tiny size
Adult
0.5-12 years
Pellet and seed diet; watch for territoriality and bites
Senior
12-20 years
Weight control, plumage and periodic check-ups
Care
Cage: at least twice the size of the bird with wings outstretched. A dedicated room is better.
Feeding: SEEDS are NOT a complete diet. A combination of pellets + fresh fruit/vegetables daily.
Free flight: at least 1-2 hours/day out of the cage in a safe area.
Vet: an avian specialist vet (exotics vet). Annual check-up.
Care in detail
🍽️ Nutrition
A seed mix for small parrots and pellets, supplemented with leafy greens, vegetables and moderate fruit. Cuttlebone for calcium. Avoid avocado and chocolate.
✂️ Grooming
Misting or bathing several times a week. Natural perches to wear down the nails and beak.
🎓 Training
A small, active and curious parrot; with socialisation and positive reinforcement it tames and learns some tricks and sounds. Better in a pair if there is no frequent human interaction.
🏃 Exercise
It needs daily flight out of the cage and foraging toys. It is restless and a climber.
Breed-specific health
Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 15-20 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will share your entire adult life with it.
🩺 Health predispositions of this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in birds
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Lorito Mexicano
Recommended tests and screenings
- ✓Psittacosis PCR (Chlamydia psittaci)
- ✓PBFD and polyomavirus PCR
- ✓DNA sexing
- ✓Complete blood count and biochemistry
- ✓Faecal analysis and Gram stain
Prevention
A varied diet of a small-seed mix plus pellets, vegetables and fruit to avoid deficiencies. Quarantine of new birds, a cage that is spacious for its size and daily flight. Avoid Teflon fumes, tobacco and aerosols.
Check-up schedule
Annual check-up with an avian vet, with weighing and monitoring of the beak/nails.
Warning signs
- !Ruffled plumage and apathy
- !Tail pumping when breathing
- !Altered droppings
- !Loss of appetite
- !Feather plucking
Lorito Mexicano gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Lorito Mexicano
- How long does a Lorito Mexicano live? ▾
- The life expectancy of the Lorito Mexicano is 15-20 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
- How much does a Lorito Mexicano weigh? ▾
- An adult Lorito Mexicano weighs between 60-80g, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is pequeño.
- Where does the Lorito Mexicano breed come from? ▾
- The Lorito Mexicano originates from México. Native to Mexico. A small green parrot of Mexican origin.
- How much exercise does a Lorito Mexicano need? ▾
- The Lorito Mexicano has media energy. **Cage:** at least twice the size of the bird with wings outstretched. A dedicated room is better.
- Is the Lorito Mexicano good with children? ▾
- **Children:** depends on the species + individual temperament. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Larger pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.
- Who is the Lorito Mexicano NOT recommended for? ▾
- It isn't the right breed for: Households with no time to socialise. Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise). Homes with no room for flight. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
- What health problems does the Lorito Mexicano have? ▾
- Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 15-20 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will share your entire adult life with it.
- Is it an easy parrot to care for? ▾
- Among parrots it is a manageable size and relatively straightforward, although like all of them it demands daily time, a varied diet and space to fly.
- Does it make a lot of noise? ▾
- A moderate voice for a parrot; it vocalises but is more bearable than the large species. It has its moments at dawn and dusk.
- Does it live better alone or in a pair? ▾
- If it receives daily human interaction it can live alone; if it spends many hours without company, better in a pair to avoid stress and boredom.
- How long does it live? ▾
- Between 15 and 20 years with good care, a medium-to-long-term commitment.
- Does it learn to talk? ▾
- It can imitate the odd sound or word, but it is not a great talker. It stands out more for its active character.
Learn more about birds
Practical veterinary guides to support your Lorito Mexicano.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
- WikipediaForpus cyanopygius (Mexican Parrotlet) ↗
- World Parrot TrustMexican Parrotlet ↗
Want to adopt a lorito mexicano?
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