Indian Parakeets

1. Indian Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Indian ringneck parrot)

The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is found both in Africa and Asia. Four subspecies of this parakeet exists. The Indian rose-ringed parakeet (P. k. manillensis) though currently distributed worldwide traces its origin to southern Indian subcontinent. The subspecies of rose-ringed parakeet is also known by the common name of Indian ringneck parakeet.

The males of this sexually dimorphic species have a red or black colored ring around the neck while the females and young birds do not exhibit such distinct neck rings. The body is a bright green color and the average length of these birds is 40 cm. The rose-ringed parakeet is herbivorous in nature,feeding primarily on fruits, nuts, seeds, berries, etc. 

The Indian ringneck parakeet has luckily managed to successfully adapt to the rapidly changing environmental conditions and has stable populations in India and abroad. It is thus classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. 

2. Alexandrine Parakeet

The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) is named after Alexander the Great who is credited with exporting the bird from the Indian subcontinent to the European nations where these birds became a member of royal households. 

There are several sub-species of the Alexandrine parakeet found in India. They are as follows: 

a. Psittacula eupatria eupatria

Nominate Alexandrine parakeet whose range stretches from east India to south India and as far south as Sri Lanka.

b. Psittacula eupatria magnirostris

Andaman Islands' Alexandrine parakeet found in the Andaman Islands of India.

c. Psittacula eupatria avensis

Indo-Burmese Alexandrine parakeet whose range stretches from northeast India to Myanmar.

d. Psittacula eupatria nipalensis

Nepalese Alexandrine parakeet’s range stretches all the way from eastern Afghanistan to Northeast India. 

The Nepalese Alexandrine parakeet is the largest among all these sub-species and is the largest parakeet in the world. 

Unlike the Indian ring-necked parakeet, the Alexandrine parakeet has been quite unsuccessful in adapting to man-made threats to its survival. In Pakistan, it is a critically endangered species while IUCN classifies it as a Near Threatened species. Habitat destruction, persecution and illegal sale in the pet market continues to threaten this bird. 

3. Red-Breasted Parakeet

The red-breasted parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) or the moustached parakeet is easily distinguished by the large reddish patch on its breast. Though the population of the red-breasted parakeet is primarily confined to south east Asia, especially small islands in Indonesia, the Andaman Island in India hosts one subspecies of the red-breasted parakeet. Some Indian cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai also have small feral populations of this bird. IUCN classifies this bird as near threatened. Habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade has spelled disaster for this species.

4. Slaty-Headed Parakeet

The slaty-headed parakeet (Psittacula himalayana) is found in the Himalayan belt with range stretching from Pakistan in the west to the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh including Nepal and Bhutan. Small populations are also found in some parts of Afghanistan. The slaty-heads parakeet is distinguished by its dark grey colored head. The species is sexually dimorphic with males having a longer tail than females and possessing dark maroon patches in the coverts of the inner wings which is absent in females.

The slaty-headed parakeet can be spotted at elevations between 460 to 2,400 meters. It feeds in small flocks or large groups and is herbivorous in nature. The average lifespan of this species is 15-17 years. 

5. Plum-Headed Parakeet

The plum-headed parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala) is endemic to the India subcontinent. Males of this species are characterized by pinkish purple heads. Females, however, have a grey colored head. The plum-headed parakeet resides in the open woodlands, forests, and even city gardens of the subcontinent with a vast range stretching all the way from the Himalayan foothills to Sri Lanka, with the exception of the dry region of western India. The bird is gregarious with nature and makes raucous calls. The plum-headed parakeet is also herbivorous in nature feeding on fruits and blossoms in forests, orchards or farmlands.

6. Blue-Winged Parakeet (Malabar Parakeets)

The blue-winged parakeet (Psittacula columboides) is an endemic bird of India and is exclusively found in the Western Ghats range of southern India. The bird has bluish grey plumage and a blue tail with a yellow tip. Males have a red beak with a white tip while females have a black bill. There is ban on the sale of the blue-winged parakeets to protect the bird from exploitation.

7. Indian Hanging Parrot

The Indian Hanging Parrot (Loriculus vernalis), also known as the vernal hanging parrot, is a small bird found in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It has a herbivorous diet made up of fruits, seeds, nectar, etc. The bird inhabits dry jungles and cultivated fields. Here, it lives in the crevices of trees where it lays its eggs.