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 (~23.2 inches) with a tail up to 35 cm in length. The male's head is green with grey-blue cheeks and nape (lower back of the neck) . 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. '
Breeding Data:
- Average Clutch Size: 2 - 4 eggs
- Incubation: 28 days
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.
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). |
(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:
Ringneck parrots are less demanding than other parrot species, which makes them an excellent choice for someone who wants to "step up" from an easy-going and easy-care cockatiel or budgie.
Consistent training and behavioral guidance from a young age is recommended to ensure potential owners enjoy a bird free of destructive and annoying habits.
Behavioral challenges that ringnecks present include:
- Chewing: Any parrot will chew. In nature, they use their beak to "customize" their favorite tree, to enlarge the size of their nest in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps their beaks in good condition. The problem is excessive and undesirable chewing. Undisciplined ringnecks may chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. The owner needs to provide plenty of "healthy" chewing opportunities (bird toys, natural wood branches, etc.) and training is necessary to teach a parrot what is "off-limits."
- Jealousy / Aggression: The ringneck parrots can be jealous of other family members and pets. They can develop a bond with only one human and refuse to interact with other people, even attacking them in some cases. Although this is a small bird it does not seem to believe so, and will attack larger birds and even dogs if it feels it or its human is threatened. Owners should be cautious in multiple-pet homes. Continuing to socialize the hand reared pet bird from a young age and letting many people handle and interact with it can prevent single-person bonding and allow it to become an excellent family pet.
- Noise: They can be noisy - albeit not as noisy as their larger cousins. Not everybody can tolerate the natural call of a ringneck parrot, and even though it can't (or should not) be entirely eliminated, there are ways to discourage screaming / screeching in your pet. The Alexandrine Parakeet is known for its talking ability, and teaching and encouraging your pet alexandrine to talk is one way to reduce undesirable screeching in your pet.
Continuous obedience training is recommended ...
- AvianWeb 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 found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.
- 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:
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Procuring your Parrot
- Click here for a Breeders Listing
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- Housing Your Bird
- Training Your Bird
- Bird Nutrition
- Parrot Products
Taxonomy:
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
Nepalese Alexandrine Parakeets: Please scroll up for further information.
Description: As eupatria, but breast and abdomen feathers of both sexes with marked grey-white tinge; cheeks and nape (lower back of the neck) 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)
Distribution: Eastern Afghanistan, southern and eastern regions West Pakistan to northern and central India, Nepal, Bhutan, east Pakistan to Assam | CITES II - Endangered Species
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria nipalensis ... English: Nepalese Alexandrine Parakeet ... Dutch: Nepalese Alexanderparkiet ... German: Nördlicher Alexandersittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre de Nepal
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.
Description: as eupatria, but breast and abdomen feathers in both sexes with grey-white tinge; broad pink band to nape (lower back of the neck) ; 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)
Distribution: Andaman Islands | CITES II - Endangered Species
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria magnirostris ... English: Andaman Island Parakeet ... Dutch: Andaman Eiland Parkiet ... German: Andamanensittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre du Andaman
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.
Description: as eupatria, but top of head and nape (lower back of the neck) is 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)
Distribution: Cachar district Assam, Burma south to Amherst | CITES II - Endangered Species
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria avensis ... English: Indo-Burmese Alexandrine Parakeet ... Dutch: Birmese Alexanderparkiet ... German: Birmesischer Alexandersittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre de Birmani
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.
Description: as eupatria, but back of head and nape (lower back of the neck) is washed pale blue, extending to crown in some birds; cheeks yellow-green; band to nape (lower back of the neck) narrow and pinker; shoulder patch more reddish; slightly smaller. ... Length: 56 cm (22 ins), wing length 179 - 205 mm (7 - 8ins)
Distribution: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, northern and western Thailand | CITES II - Endangered Species
Species: Scientific: Psittacula eupatria siamensis ... English: Laos Alexandrine Parakeet ... Dutch: Laos Alexanderparkiet ... German: Laos Alexandersittich ... French: Perruche Alexandre du Thailande
Related Web Resources: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 5 - click on link to view photo.)
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
