Alexandrine Parakeet

Psittacula eupatria

While birds can make fantastic pets, exotic bird species have the potential to negatively impact our native flora and fauna should they be allowed to escape into the environment.

They also have the potential to spread disease, damage agricultural crops, out compete native species and cause damage to natural spaces through over population. The risk of this can be minimised through secure bird keeping practises and reporting wild populations of exotic bird species, such as the Alexandrine parakeet, to Agriculture Victoria.

How to identify an Alexandrine Parakeet

The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), also known as the Alexandrine parrot, is one of the largest parakeets, measuring up to 62 cm from the top of the head to the tip of the tail and weighing 200 to 300 grams. They are 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 large red beak with yellow tips. The tail is also green, with some blue towards the end and a distinctive yellow tip. Adult males have a black stripe across their lower cheeks and a pink band on their nape. Adult females lack both a black cheek stripe and a pink nape band.

About Alexandrine Parakeets

Habitat

Alexandrine parakeets have adapted to a variety of habitats throughout the globe. They are a non-migratory species but can establish in a variety of environments, from mangroves to residential areas. They prefer tropical and sub-tropical environments.

Behaviour

Alexandrine parakeets are diurnal social birds. They usually live in small flocks but form larger groups in areas where food is abundant and  large communal roosts are available. They are noisy birds with a range of deep, harsh, and resonant calls. When alarmed, they may shriek loudly. Alexandrine parakeets are even known to imitate human speech in captivity. Alexandrine parakeets are herbivores, and their diet includes a variety of wild and cultivated seeds, buds, fruits, and nuts.

Distribution

Originating in India and Sri Lanka, Alexandrine parakeets live in forests, woodlands, agricultural lands, and mangrove forests. Feral populations currently live in Spain, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Hong Kong and Australia.

Responsible keeping of exotic birds

Alexandrine parakeets are commonly kept cage birds in Victoria, and it is not uncommon to see reports of birds that have escaped. Escaped or released birds could present a risk of pest establishment. Please adhere to the following guidelines if you choose to keep exotic parrots:

• Upgrade to the largest indoor cage available, or build a secure double-doored outdoor aviary,
• Research the dietary needs of the species and provide a balanced and varied diet,
• Consult regularly with an avian veterinarian and seek assistance at the first signs of illness or injury,
• When free flying your bird indoors, double check that doors and windows are shut,
• Consider leg banding and microchipping your bird,
• Do not allow them to escape or intentionally release them into the wild
• Consider keeping native Australian species as an alternative to exotic species.

If seen in the wild in Victoria, please report the sighting to Agriculture Victoria via our online reporting tool. Or by emailing: highrisk.invasiveanimals@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Pest Risk and Impact

Alexandrines are habitat generalists, long-lived, fast growing and gregarious. These features enable them to outcompete native species within an introduced range, particularly for suitable tree nesting hollows and food resources. Their gregarious nature and loud, shrieking calls may impact on human social amenity and become quite an annoyance.

These birds feed on a range of wild and cultivated crops – as such, if established in the wild in Australia they could cause serious damage to fruit and grain crops.

Parrots are also vectors of pests and diseases which can impact human health – such as Psittacosis.

Lookalikes/Similar Native Species

Indian ringneck parrot (Psittacula krameria) – exotic species, widely kept caged bird

Moustached or Red-breasted parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) – exotic species, commonly kept caged bird

Queen Alexandra’s parakeet or Princess parakeet (Polytelis alexandrae) – native to Australia, is commonly kept as a caged bird