Many learn to talk and they are quite comical either playing with toys or hanging by their beaks and toes. Unlike many large parrots, they have no problem entertaining themselves all day with their toys while their owner is at work or school. But when the owner returns, they will chirp welcome greetings and expect to come out to ride around in a pocket or hide in their owner's hair. Approximately five and one-half inches in length and 28 grams, these olive green birds have pink beaks and legs. As with all parrotlets, they are sexually diamorphic.
Males have dark cobalt wings, backs, rumps and streak behind the eye.
Females are various shades of green with no blue and an emerald green eyestreak. Males of this subspecies have silver gray backs and wings as well an eyestreak that completely encircles the back of the head. There are several color mutations of Pacific parrotlets now available although they are very expensive compared to normal green birds. All of these mutations have proved to be recessive and none are sex-linked, including the lutinos. Pacifics have a well-deserved reputation for being feisty and bold.