Lineolated Parakeet
Bolborhynchus lineola
Also called Linnie, Barred parakeet, Catherine parakeet, Banded parakeet
From Mountain forests of the Neotropics, from southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia, north-western Venezuela and Peru (Lafeber also lists Bolivia), at roughly 1,500-3,000 m.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Feathered; small, stocky parakeet with a short pointed tail
A compact green parakeet covered in fine black or dark green bars, which become bolder with age. The bill is pale and peach-toned. Males tend to have heavier barring than hens.132
Personality what they are like
A calm, easygoing little parrot that murmurs and chatters softly rather than screeching. Many learn words in a small, squeaky voice. It often rests in a near-horizontal pose and prefers walking and climbing to flying between perches.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Loves climbing, so give many perches, ladders, ropes and swings plus foraging toys. Regular encouragement to move and play keeps it fit.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Most linnies love a bath or a gentle spray of water, sometimes hanging upside down with wings open to catch the drops. Offer shallow bathing bowls and chewable toys.21
Home where they are happiest
An indoor or outdoor enclosure at least 1.2 m long (outdoors only in warm climates), furnished with plenty of natural branches for climbing.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A varied mix of pellets and a small-seed blend with limited sunflower, plus spray millet, leafy greens, seeding grasses, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Wild birds eat catkins, bamboo seeds and fruit.12
Company who they like around
A strong flock instinct; it enjoys being kept in groups and does well with regular gentle handling. Wild birds gather in groups of about 6-30.23
The story where it all began
John Cassin described the species in 1853. Its common names come from the fine lines and bars across its feathers. It is now a popular companion bird, especially in Europe, known for its quiet nature and many colour mutations.31
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its barring gets bolder as it grows older.2
- 2
Linnies often pick up food with their feet, just like much larger parrots.2
- 3
When calling loudly to each other, they have been likened to the sound of a monkey.2
- 4
Pet linnies sometimes nap tucked into a fold of their owner's clothing.3
- 5
It lives in cool highland forests up to about 3,300 m and tolerates cold well.3
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern; estimated 50,000-500,000 birds with a stable trend.1
- CITES
- Appendix II.1
- Taxonomy
- Described by Cassin in 1853. Two subspecies: lineola and tigrinus.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Lineolated Parakeet. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Cage linerevery 2 days
- Full cleanevery week
- Bath offerA shallow dish or gentle mistevery 3 days
- Nails checkevery month
- Toy rotationevery 2 weeks
- Out-of-cage timeAbout an hour a day, if tameevery day
- Vet check-upevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Lineolated Parakeet?
Your linnie will need fresh food and water every day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests offering a varied mix of pellets, seeds, greens, and fruit daily. Always follow the food label and your vet's advice for exact amounts.12 Furry Diary plan
What does a Lineolated Parakeet eat, and what should it never eat?
A healthy diet includes pellets, a small-seed blend, spray millet, leafy greens, seeding grasses, and fresh fruit and vegetables. What it should never eat varies by individual, so please ask your vet or a good breeder for a list of toxic foods.12
How much space does a Lineolated Parakeet need?
Your linnie needs an enclosure at least 1.2 meters long, furnished with plenty of natural branches for climbing. Outdoors is fine only in warm climates. More space is always better for this active little climber.12
What temperature, light or water does a Lineolated Parakeet need?
Temperature, light, and water needs can vary with your home and climate. Please ask your exotic-pet vet for specific guidance to keep your linnie comfortable and healthy.
How often should I clean a Lineolated Parakeet's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests changing the cage liner every two days and doing a full clean once a week. Regular cleaning keeps your linnie's home fresh and healthy. Furry Diary plan
Can a Lineolated Parakeet live with others?
Yes, these gentle parakeets have a strong flock instinct and enjoy being kept in groups. They also do well with regular gentle handling from you.23
How long does a Lineolated Parakeet live?
With good care, your linnie can live between 10 and 20 years. That's a wonderful long friendship to look forward to.312
Can I handle a Lineolated Parakeet?
Absolutely! These calm, easygoing little parrots enjoy regular gentle handling and many even learn to speak in a soft voice. They prefer walking and climbing over flying, so handle them with care and patience.321
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Barred Parakeet - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for size, weight, lifespan, range, status, population, captive care, diet
- Lineolated Parakeet - Lafeber Company lafeber.comused for temperament, talking, bathing, social needs, lifespan, fun facts
- Barred parakeet - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, taxonomy, lifespan, mutations, temperament, fun facts
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.