Psittacula eupatria

Alexandrine parakeet, orAlexandrian parrot(Psittacula eupatria)

Phylum —chordata
Class — aves
Order — psittaciformes
Family — psittaculidae

Genus – psittacula

Appearance

The Alexandrine parakeet is one of the largest parakeets, measuring 56 to 62 cm (22 to 24 in) from the top of the head to the tip of the tail and weighing 200 to 300 g (7.1 to 10.6 oz). The tail measures 28 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in). It is predominantly green with a light blue-grey sheen on the cheeks and nape (back of the neck), yellow-green abdomen, red patch on the shoulders and massive red beak with yellow tips. The upper-side of the tail passes from green at the top to blue further down, and is yellow at the tip. The underside of the tail is yellow.

Adults are sexually dimorphic. Adult males have a black stripe across their lower cheeks and a pink band on their nape. Adult females lack both a black stripe across their lower cheeks and a pink band on their nape. The young are similar in appearance to adult females but have shorter tails.

Habitat

The Alexandrine parakeet is native to East India to Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh in the South, Sri Lanka.

Behavior

When seen in the wild these parrots form small flocks and can be seen on the ground foraging for food.

These parrots are most comfortable in the trees and are considered sentinel birds as they will emit loud calls when danger is seen. These birds are often difficult to see when perched in their environment and camouflage very well. Oftentimes, their calls can be heard, but is very difficult finding them in the trees once perched.

Diet

It eats a variety of wild and cultivated seeds, buds, fruits and nuts. Flocks can cause extensive damage to ripening fruits and grain crops like maize and jowar.

Reproduction

Alexandrine parakeets breed from November to April in their native range. They usually nest in tree hollows, but sometimes use tree holes excavated by themselves or cracks in buildings. Females lay 2 to 4 white, blunt oval-shaped eggs, measuring 27 to 34 mm (1.1 to 1.3 in). The average incubation period is 24 days. The chicks fledge at about 7 weeks of age, and are dependent on their parents until 3 to 4 months of age.

In captivity

The Alexandrine parakeet is a lovable, intelligent parrot that can live more than 30 years if cared for properly.

Known for their beauty, intelligence, and excellent talking abilities, Alexandrine parakeets need a lot of space, hours of interaction, and supervised out-of-cage time every day. This bird may be a medium-sized parrot, but it still needs a large cage to accommodate its long tail feathers. At the minimum, provide a cage that is at least 3 feet tall and 2 feet long and wide.

These birds love to bathe frequently and play in the water. Provide a large water bath at least once a week. Your bird might also like an occasional misting.

Alexandrine parakeets are very active birds. They need plenty of exercise to maintain their physical and emotional health. They need space to be able to move around without damaging their long, beautiful tail feathers. These birds require a minimum of 3 to 4 hours a day to stretch, play, and exercise outside of its cage. Supervised playtime needs to be in a safe, "bird-proof" area. Alexandrines are very curious and can get into trouble if left to roam unattended. These intelligent birds get bored quickly, so provide plenty of chewable, bird-safe toys.

Most pet Alexandrine parakeets do well on a diet consisting of fresh vegetables, leafy greens, grains, some healthy seed, tree nuts, and a high-quality, commercially-made, formulated pelleted diet. Fresh vegetables are the cornerstone of a good diet for parrots. Offer your bird 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pellets and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fruits and vegetables daily. Increase or decrease the amount according to your bird's appetite. Remove the uneaten foods to prevent spoilage.

 

Вы будете перенаправлены через
  секунд на сайт