Pet Wiki

Lineolated Parakeet

Bolborhynchus lineola

Also called Linnie, Barred parakeet, Catherine parakeet, Banded parakeet

SpeciesShort profile

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

At a glance the quick version

Length16 cm13
Lifespan10 to 20 years312
Sizesmall
Quiet, mumbling voice
Calm and even-tempered
Can learn to talk
32

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

ColoursGreen (wild type)LutinoTurquoiseCobaltMauveCreaminoOlive32

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. 1

    Its barring gets bolder as it grows older.2

  2. 2

    Linnies often pick up food with their feet, just like much larger parrots.2

  3. 3

    When calling loudly to each other, they have been likened to the sound of a monkey.2

  4. 4

    Pet linnies sometimes nap tucked into a fold of their owner's clothing.3

  5. 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 a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Lineolated Parakeet. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Budgie Seed Bells

A fun homemade treat that mimics shop-bought seed bells, giving budgies a foraging activity and a tasty reward.

You need

  • 150g bird seed mix
  • 2 egg whites
  • Rapeseed oil
  • Greaseproof paper
  • Small terracotta pots
  • 20cm lengths of wire

How

  1. Beat the egg whites until frothy.
  2. Mix the frothy egg whites with the bird seed mix.
  3. Grease the greaseproof paper with a little rapeseed oil and line the insides of the terracotta pots.
  4. Fill the pots with the seed mixture.
  5. Insert both ends of a 20cm wire through the drainage hole in the base of the pot, so a loop of wire sits inside the mixture.
  6. Bake the pots in a cool oven at 80-90°C (175-200°F) for 90 minutes, checking after the first hour to ensure the mixture has set.
  7. Allow to cool completely, then gently remove the seed bells from the pots and peel away the paper.
  8. Hang from the cage roof by looping the wire ends through and around the bars, ensuring no sharp ends are accessible.

How much: Offer one seed bell occasionally as a treat, not as a daily food.

Recipe from Omlet UK

Budgie Cookie Treats

A nutritious, homemade biscuit that provides variety and enrichment, using safe ingredients like vegetables and seeds.

You need

  • 3 tbsp chopped vegetables and greens (e.g., carrot tops, kale)
  • 100g wholemeal flour
  • 100g maize flour (cornmeal)
  • 60g crushed budgie pellets OR ground mixed seeds and grains
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 1 dried fig, finely chopped
  • 60g mixed seeds, whole
  • 150ml water

How

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  2. Mix all the ingredients together to form a stiff dough. Add a little more water if too dry, or more flour if too wet.
  3. Roll the dough into small balls in the palm of your hand.
  4. Place the balls on a floured baking tray and flatten each until 1cm thick.
  5. Prick the biscuits all over with a toothpick.
  6. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes.
  7. Allow to cool completely before serving.

How much: Offer one small cookie as an occasional treat, not a daily food.

Recipe from Omlet UK

Fresh Greens for Canaries and Finches

A simple, healthy treat that adds essential vitamins and moisture to the diet, mimicking natural foraging.

You need

  • Small pieces of fresh, washed greens (e.g., parsley, carrot tops, kale, red leaf lettuce, endive, dandelion, chickweed, or groundsel)

How

  1. Wash the greens thoroughly to remove any pesticides or dirt.
  2. Cut into small, bird-sized pieces (about thumbnail size for a canary or finch).
  3. Offer a small portion in a clean dish or clipped to the cage bars.
  4. Remove any uneaten greens after a few hours to prevent spoilage.

How much: Offer a small portion several times a week as a treat, making up about 20-25% of the daily diet.

Recipe from VCA Animal Hospitals

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

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 Pet Wiki 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. Pet Wiki 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 Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.

  1. Barred Parakeet - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for size, weight, lifespan, range, status, population, captive care, diet
  2. Lineolated Parakeet - Lafeber Company lafeber.comused for temperament, talking, bathing, social needs, lifespan, fun facts
  3. Barred parakeet - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, taxonomy, lifespan, mutations, temperament, fun facts

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.