The Alexandrine parakeet or Alexandrian parrot (Psittacula eupatria) is a member of the psittaciformes order and of the Psittaculidae family. The Alexandrine parakeet is native to south and south-east Asia, from Pakistan and Nepal, south to Sri Lanka and east to Vietnam, with the subspecies occurring in different regions. It is found in a variety of habitats, including moist and dry forests, cultivated areas, mangroves and deserts . It occurs up to elevations of around 900 metres.
The Alexandrine parakeet is one of the largest species of parakeet (long tail) species, thus often being the largest parrot in their native range. This species measures 58 cm in total length with a wing length averaging 18.9–21.5 and a tail length of 21.5–35.5 cm. Adult birds commonly weigh between 200 and 300 g. It is mainly green with a blue-grey sheen on its cheeks and nape, particularly in males. The abdomen is yellowish-green, the upperside of the middle tail feathers is blueish-green, the upperside of the external tail feathers is green while the underside of the tail feathers are all yellow. All Alexandrine parakeets boldly display a maroon (reddish-brown) patch at the top of their wing coverts (commonly called ‘shoulder’ patch). The shoulder patch is seen in parakeets at their first feathering before fledging. The lower and upper mandibles are red with yellow tips. The adult’s irises are yellowish-white and the periopthalmic rings are light grey. The legs are grey.
Breeding season is from November to April in their natural distribution range. Average clutch size is 2–4 eggs. The average incubation period is 28 days usually starting with the laying of the second egg. The chicks fledge around seven weeks of age. They are cared for, educated and reared for about the 21 following days (3 weeks) and are typically weaned between 3 to 4 months (12 to 16 weeks) of age.
Alexandrine parakeets eat a variety of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grain, nectar, blossoms and even an occasional insect or worm. Exactly what they consume, however, depends on the time of year and what is available in their particular locale.
The Alexandrine parakeet has an average lifespan of 40 years, and is among the top five greatest mimicking champion parrot species, alongside African grey parrots (all ssp.), Amazon parrots (all spp.) Eclectus parrots (all ssp.) and male budgerigar parakeets (females are comparatively poor mimics). Individuals reared and socialized as either fledgelings or weanlings become excellent companion pet birds.
