Questions re; parrotlets

Question
I have several if you have time.  I owned a blue-crown consure for 25 years at which time he died of liver disease about a year ago.  Some breeders have claimed it was due to the fact that I was feeding colored Zupreem.  I needed grieving time, but now I feel like I'm over it enough that I could handle and enjoy another bird without being too sad about my first dying.  However, some things have changed.  I've moved and have less space.  Therefore, I feel as if another conure would cramp us further and I'd also feel as if I was "replacing" the place in my heart that my blue held so dear.  After much reading, I believe that the parrolet is my guy.  I was recommended a reputable breeder and have seen her three available clutches.  2 clutches are pacifics and 1 clutch is green rump.  The green rumps are still quite young and unable to be held.  I'd have to wait on one.  The pacifics are ready now.  Now I cannot decide between the two varieties and the sex.  She says that the males are generally easier and friendlier.  However, the female that I held seemed perfectly content to sit in my hand.  Both males wanted to fly away and bit at me.  I have children in the home.  However, they are not young children.  At their age, they are only sometimes interested in pets.  I will be owner/caretaker.  The kids are undeniably NOT quiet.  I know that the green rumps are more shy.  Hopefully you can help with what might be the best decision in this matter.  Also, do you feed the parrolets uncolored pellets and seeds both?

Answer
Hi, Stephanie.  Thanks for posting your questions.

I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your blue crown.  I have many conures and a pair of blue crowns...they are very nice parrots.

I only have experience with Pacific parrotlets.  Therefore, I can't comment on any differences between Pacifics and Green Rumps.

In my experiences with the Pacifics, I haven't really seen any differences between the sexes.  In my opinion, it depends on each bird's individual personality and how they are raised from babies.  Each and every parrot is different, just like humans are.  Even if they are raised similarly/the same, their individual personalities will shape their behavior and personal characteristics.  

I don't believe the theory about colored Zupreem pellets.  I've fed parrots fruit flavored Zupreem pellets for many, many years and none have died from this feed.  As a matter of fact, my bird veterinarian recommends any type of Zupreem pelleted food to all his breeders/parrot owners, and he is a well known, highly regarded, published, avian vet in the midwest.  Your blue crown lived a long life and I would venture to guess his passing was due to other factors.  

I do not feed my parrots seed (including the parrotlets), except as a treat once a week.  Seed is high in fat and has little nutrition.  Parrots love seed because it tastes good to them...like candy to a child and/or junk food to us adults.  My 100+ parrots have Zupreem fruit blend pelleted feed and fresh water available 24/7 and are fed fresh vegetables, fruits, etc., once per day.  The key to a healthy, happy parrot is a varied, nutritionally complete diet (or as nutritionally complete as is scientifically known today).  Foods bad for humans are also bad for parrots.  Too much seed in a parrot's diet most usually results in fatty liver problems as they grow older, not to mention the fact that seed is nutritionally incomplete.  In addition, I think you will find that a parrot prefers a varied diet like I mention in lieu of just pellets and seed.  I mean, how boring can pellets and seed be on an everyday basis!  My birds can't wait to see what I put in their fresh feed dishes every day!

I'm sorry I can't help you out further.  My website might offer additional information on diet if you'd like to visit:
http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Thanks.

Chrys