![]() The Alexandrine parakeet is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of its steep population decline in its native range due to habitat loss, persecution and excessive capture to cater to the demands of the illegal wildlife trade. The World Parrot Trust recommends that captive Alexandrine parrots be kept in a metal or welded mesh enclosure of minimum length 4.5 metres (15 ft). Ĭolor variants including lutino, albino, and blue are well-established in captivity. According to CITES trade data, at least 57,772 Alexandrine parakeets were imported into countries outside their native range between 19. They are one of the most sought-after cage birds in the Indian market. Alexander the Great is thought to have kept one as a pet. Aviculture Īlexandrine parakeets are relatively popular pet birds due to their long lifespan in captivity (25–30 years), playful behaviour and ability to mimic human speech. The chicks fledge at about 7 weeks of age, and are dependent on their parents until 3 to 4 months of age. The average incubation period is 24 days. Females lay 2 to 4 white, blunt oval-shaped eggs, measuring 27 to 34 mm (1.1 to 1.3 in). They usually nest in tree hollows, but sometimes use tree holes excavated by themselves or cracks in buildings. nipalensis at nest inside tree hole in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.Īlexandrine parakeets breed from November to April in their native range. avensis, however the back of the head and nape are washed with blue. It is smaller than the nominate subspecies and has a paler shoulder patch. Males have a narrow blue stripe above the nape band. It is slightly larger than the nominate subspecies, and has a larger beak and brighter shoulder patch. nipalensis, however the neck and underparts are more yellowish and there is a narrow blue stripe on the hindneck. It has a smaller beak than the nominate subspecies. Adult males have a broader black stripe across the lower cheek. The back of the head and cheeks are washed with blue. It is larger than the nominate subspecies and more greyish-green. nipalensis)Įastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, North India, Central India, East India, Nepal and Bhutan. Western India, South India and Sri Lanka. Subspecies įive subspecies of the Alexandrine parakeet are currently recognized Subspecies ![]() The young are similar in appearance to adult females but have shorter tails. Adult females lack both a black cheek stripe and a pink nape band. Adult males have a black stripe across their lower cheeks and a pink band on their nape. The upper-side of the tail passes from green at the top to blue further down, and is yellow at the tip. It is predominantly green with a light blue-grey sheen on the cheeks and nape (back of the neck), yellow-green abdomen, red patch on the shoulders and massive red beak with yellow tips. The tail measures 28 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in). The Alexandrine parakeet is one of the largest parakeets, measuring 56 to 62 cm (22 to 24 in) from the top of the head to the tip of the tail and weighing 200 to 300 g (7.1 to 10.6 oz). Carl Linnaeus redescribed the Alexandrine parakeet in 1766 as Psittacus eupatria. The birds may, however, merely have been held in captivity there. The Alexandrine parakeet was first described by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson as Psittaca Ginginiana or "La Perruche de Gingi" (The Gingi's Parakeet) in 1760 after the town of Gingee in southeastern India, which was a French outpost then. The Alexandrine parakeet has established feral populations in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran where it lives alongside feral populations of its close relative, the rose-ringed parakeet ( Psittacula krameri). It is named after Alexander the Great, who transported numerous birds from Punjab to various European and Mediterranean countries and regions, where they were prized by the royalty, nobility and warlords. The Alexandrine parakeet ( Psittacula eupatria), also known as the Alexandrine parrot, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula of the family Psittaculidae.
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