Alexandrine Parakeet

Large parrot with massive red bill giving "top heavy" appearance and only green-headed parrot with red"shoulder-patch", measuring 58 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.

Alexandrine Parakeet is a gregarious and Noisey 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.

The Alexandrine Parakeet is a resident breeder from eastern most Afghanistan,westyern Pakistan to Indochina and northern thailand also Sri Lanka and Andaman Islands. 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.