[order] PSITTACIFORMES | [family] Psittacidae | [latin] Psittacula alexandri | [authority] Linnaeus, 1758 | [UK] Red-breasted Parakeet | [FR] Perruche a moustaches | [DE] Bartsittich | [ES] Cotorra Pechirroja | [NL] Alexanderparkiet | [copyright picture] Brandi Como
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
Members of the parrot genus Psittacula or Afro-Asian Ringnecked parakeets as they are commonly known in aviculture originates found from Africa to South-East Asia. It is a widespread group, with a clear concentration of species in south Asia, but also with representatives in Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean. This is the only genus of Parrot which has majority of its species in continental Asia. Of all the extant species only Psittacula calthropae, Psittacula caniceps and Psittacula echo do not have a representative subspecies in any part of mainland continental Asia. The Rose-ringed Parakeet, Psittacula krameri, is one of the most widely distributed of all parrots.
Physical charateristics
P.a. alexandri: both adults green upperparts; green/yellow median wing coverts forming large patch on wing; grey head, with varying tinges of blue, and around eyes washed with green; black narrow line from forehead to eyes and black wide band across lower cheeks; salmon/pink throat to upper abdomen which is duller in female; green lower abdomen to undertail coverts with blue suffusion; blue central tail feathers tipped with yellow/green. Bill coral red. Eye pale yellow. P.a. kangeanensis: both adults as in alexandri, but minimal blue wash on grey head; yellow wing patch in male more extensive. Larger bill. P.a. dammermani: both adults as in alexandri, but larger in size; crown more blue. Bill heavier. P.a. fasciata: male-differs from alexandri by head being more blue/grey; dark pink throat to upper abdomen suffused with lilac/blue. Upper mandible red, lower mandible brown/black. Female-breast less washed with lilac and reaching up side of neck in front of green hindneck; grey head less blue. Bill black. P.a. abbotti: both adults as in fasciata, but in general colour paler. Larger in size. P.a. cala: both adults as in fasciata, but larger in size; paler green upperparts; less lilac/blue wash on throat to upper abdomen, particularly in female. P.a. major: both adults as in cala, but larger in size; in male, less blue wash on lower abdomen to undertail coverts. P.a. peronica: both adults as in major, but slightly smaller in size; in male, brighter green lower abdomen to undertail coverts.
Listen to the sound of Red-breasted Parakeet
[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/PSITTACIFORMES/Psittacidae/sounds/Red-breasted Parakeet.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
recorded by David Farrow
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 33 | cm | size max.: | 38 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 26 | days | incubation max.: | 30 | days |
| fledging min.: | 48 | days | fledging max.: | 56 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 3 | ||
| eggs max.: | 4 |
Range
Oriental Region : North India to Java and Borneo. In the species range are recognized eight subspecies. Introduced to Singapore where breeding regular since mid-1980’s but subspecies involved as yet undetermined. Population of Borneo commonly considered introduced, but this is not necessarily correct.
Habitat
Moist deciduous forest, secondary growth, mangroves, teak and cocnut plantations, woodland adjacent cultivation and villages, in foothill and lowland areas, generally avoiding dense evergreen closed-canopy forest. Resident with occasional movements for food supply or, in N of range, periods of cold weather
Reproduction
Nest is built in a hollow tree cavity. The female prepares the nest and will incubate the eggs for about 4 weeks. The male stands guard and feeds the female while she is incubating. Clutch size is 3-4 eggs, Fledging period around 7-8 weeks.
Feeding habits
Feeds on wild figs, cultivated and wild fruits, flowers and nectar, nuts, berries, seeds, leaves and cereals (rice and maize).
Video Red-breasted Parakeet
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDkz6eE7p8w
copyright: Stefan Behrens
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Are very popular cagebirds. In some parts of areale (e.g., some islands of Indonesia) it has suffered decline and local extinctions in response to the local cagebird trade. Sociable; seen in flocks of 6-10 birds, less often up to 50. Rarely forms groups of thousands when food abundant. Roosts communally in tall trees, bamboo thickets or sugarcane. Has attacked crops.
Are very popular cagebirds. In some parts of areale (e.g., some islands of Indonesia) it has suffered decline and local extinctions in response to the local cagebird trade. Sociable; seen in flocks of 6-10 birds, less often up to 50. Rarely forms groups of thousands when food abundant. Roosts communally in tall trees, bamboo thickets or sugarcane. Has attacked crops.
Migration
Sedentary with some displacment in search of food or in Northern range to avoid cold.
Distribution map
