Psittacula eupatria (Linnaeus, 1766)

The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), also known as the Alexandrine parrot, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula of the family Psittacidae. 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 bird is vibrant green, red and pink in colour. A patch of brilliant red on the shoulder and the broad, vivid red, yellow-tipped bill sits in start contrast with the dark green plumage. The male Alexandrine parakeet also has a pink collar on the back of the neck, with a black stripe on the front. Juvenile Alexandrine parakeets look like the female, as they lack the neck collar and stripe. In adult birds, the irises are pale yellow and the periopthalmic rings are pale yellowish gray. The adult male parakeet has dark black and pink nape bands. The female bird has very pale gray and pale pink bands. Female parakeets do not have black feathers on the neck. The legs are gray or yellowish gray depending upon the subspecies. Their call is a deep, powerful screeching sound.

The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) is widespread in South and South-East Asia, ranging from Pakistan, through most of India (including the Andaman Islands and Narcondam Island), Sri Lanka, much of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh (including Cocos Island), into southern and central Myanmar, central Thailand, southern and western Laos, much of Cambodia and southern Vietnam (Juniper and Parr 1998).It is native to south and south-east Asia, but is becoming a common sight in many European cities as escaped pets establish in the wild.

Global Distribution

Native: Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; India; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam Introduced: Iran, Islamic Republic of; Qatar; Turkey; United Arab Emirates