Alexandrine Parakeets
Ringneck / Long-tailed Parakeets ... Ringneck Photo Gallery
Alexandrines as Pets- Purchasing & Caring for your Alexandrine
- Description
- Distribution in the Wild & Habitat
- Sub-species
This is a green parrot measuring between 56 to 62 cm with a tail up to 35 cm in length. The male's head is green with grey-blue cheeks and nape. There is a broad black neck ring and broad pink nape band. There is a brownish-red shoulder patch and the tail is yellow-tipped bluish-green. The bill is yellow-tipped red. The female and young birds lack the black neck ring and pink nape band and are duller.
There are five sub-species, differing in mostly minor plumage details and size ; P. e. eupatria (nominate Alexandrine Parakeet), P. e. avensis (Burmese Alexandrine Parakeet), P. e. magnirostris (Andaman Island's Alexandrine Parakeet) and P. e. siamensis (Laos or Siamese Alexandrine Parakeet).
Alexandrine Parakeet is a gregarious and noisy species, forming huge flocks at the evening roosts. Its flight is swift and direct, and the call is a loud scream, similar to, but deeper than Rose-ringed Parakeet, P. krameri.
Trapping pressure to cater to the demands of the pet trade have caused a drastic decline in this species. It is illegal to trade in Alexandrine Parakeets in India and yet these birds are sold in broad daylight in urban bird markets, suggesting that the Indian government is allocating insufficient resources towards the protection of this beautiful species.
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org.
The Alexandrine Parakeet, Psittacula eupatria, is a parrot which is a resident breeder from India and Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia. It undergoes local movements, driven mainly by the availability of the fruit, seeds and blossoms, which make up its diet. The Alexandrine Parakeet is a bird of forest, open woodland and cultivation. It is scarce in much of its range.
Alexandrian |
| Size: Up to 60cm in length |
| Pet Status: Moderate |
| Talking Ability: Excellent |
| Noise Level: High |
| Lifespan: 35-40 years |
| Breeding Ability: Very Good, spring breeders. Produces one clutch each year with an incubation time of approximately 28 days. |
| Courtship display: Male perches beside female, turning head from side to side, whilst chattering. |
| Number of Eggs: 2-6 eggs (white) |
| Incubation: 23-28 days |
| Compatibility with other species: Not advised |
| Feeding: Seed and Fruit eaters |
| Health Programmes: Follow the Parrot Health Programme. |
| Sexing: Requires surgical or DNA sexing. Male exhibits neck ring at maturity (3 years). |
Alexandrine Parakeets as Pets:
The Alexandrian originates from India and is well known for its mimicking abilities.
These intelligent birds make good pets for those willing to provide continual obedience training. If neglected or not given the appropriate training, Alexandrians become prone to feather picking and other behavioral problems.
The Alexandrian’s large and powerful beak has a strong bite and for this reason is not recommended as a pet for children.
A larger cage is required for the Alexandrian to accommodate its beautiful, long tapering tail.
(The above information and chart below has kindly been provided by Dr. Rob Marshall, Avian Vet - http://www.birdhealth.com.au)
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
- Pet parrots generally present challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Undisciplined parrots will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.
- Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria eupatria ... English: Alexandrine Parakeet ... Dutch: Grote Alexanderparkiet ... German: Großer Alexandersittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre 
CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: Ceylon, southern India north to about Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots ... Psittaculaworld
Purchasing & Caring for your Pet:
Ringnecks love to climb and play and need to be provided with a cage that allows them to move around freely and toys to entertain themselves with. Please refer to the following websites for information:
- Purchasing a Parrot
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Housing your bird
- Caring for your companion bird
Nepalese Alexandrine Parakeets: Please scroll up for further information.
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria nipalensis ... English: Nepalese Alexandrine Parakeet ... Dutch: Nepalese Alexanderparkiet ... German: Nördlicher Alexandersittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre de Nepal
CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Eastern Afghanistan, southern and eastern regions West Pakistan to northern and central India, Nepal, Bhutan, east Pakistan to Assam
Description: As eupatria, but breast and abdomen feathers of both sexes with marked grey-white tinge; cheeks and nape suffused with blue; broad pink band to nape; larger Length: Length: 62 cm (24.5 ins), wing length 200 - 240 mm (8 - 9.5 ins)
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Andaman Island Parakeets: Please scroll up for further information.
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria magnirostris ... English: Andaman Island Parakeet ... Dutch: Andaman Eiland Parkiet ... German: Andamanensittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre du Andaman
CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Andaman Islands
Description: as eupatria, but breast and abdomen feathers in both sexes with grey-white tinge; broad pink band to nape; blue tinge to nape above pink band mostly very restricted, not occurring in some birds; shoulder patch lighter in many birds; bill larger and heavier; slightly larger Length: 60 cm (24 ins), wing length 200 - 225 mm (8 - 9 ins)
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
Indo-Burmese Alexandrine Parakeets: Please scroll up for further information.
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria avensis ... English: Indo-Burmese Alexandrine Parakeet ... Dutch: Birmese Alexanderparkiet ... German: Birmesischer Alexandersittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre de Birmani
CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Cachar district Assam, Burma south to Amherst
Description: as eupatria, but top of head and nape yellowish-green; blue tinge resticted to cheeks and absent from nape; band to nape narrow and pinker. Length: 58 cm (23 ins), wing length 194 - 220 mm (7.5 - 8.5ins)
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 4 - click on link to view photo.)
Laos Alexandrine Parakeets: Please scroll up for further information.
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria siamensis ... English: Laos Alexandrine Parakeet ... Dutch: Laos Alexanderparkiet ... German: Laos Alexandersittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre du Thailande
CITES II - Endangered Species Distribution: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, northern and western Thailand
Description: as eupatria, but back of head and nape washed pale blue, extending to crown in some birds; cheeks yellow-green; band to nape narrow and pinker; shoulder patch more reddish; slightly smaller. Length: 56 cm (22 ins), wing length 179 - 205 mm (7 - 8ins)
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 5 - click on link to view photo.)
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
