Alexandrine Parakeet
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| Alexandrine Parakeet | ||||||||||||||
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| Psittacula eupatria Template:Taxobox authority new |
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. It causes some damage to fruit plantations and grain and rice fields.
Alexandrine Parakeet is a bird of forest, open woodland and cultivation. It is scarce in much of its range. It nests in holes in large trees, laying 2-4 white eggs.
This is a green parrot, 58-62 cm long with a tail up to 35cm. The male's head is green with grey-blue cheeks and nape. There is a broad black chin stripe and a pink nape band. There is a red shoulder patch and the tail is bluish-green tipped yellow. The bill is red.
The female and young birds lack the black chin stripe and pink nape band and are duller. There are five races, differing in mostly minor plumage details.
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 Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula 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.
It is not suited as a pet and its huge beak can inflict damage on the eye. Prospective buyers are advised not to procure this species, especially wild caught individuals.
Reference
- Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6fa:طوطی بزرگ اسکندر