Also called Alexandrine ring-necked parakeet, Greater rose-ringed parakeet, Great-billed parakeet, Large Indian parakeet, Alex
SpeciesShort profile
From South and Southeast Asia: Sri Lanka, the Indian peninsula, eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, the Andaman Islands and across Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It lives in lowland dry and moist forest, mangroves, plantations and gardens up to about 900 m.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
Feathered; big, long-tailed parakeet with a heavy red beak
The largest of the Asian parakeets kept by bird lovers. The body is mostly grass green with a grey-blue wash on the cheeks, a dark red patch on each shoulder and a very long tapering tail. The deep red beak is strikingly large with a paler tip. Adult males wear a black stripe across the lower cheek and a pink band around the back of the neck, which hens do not have.12
A social flock bird with a wide range of calls, including deep, rich notes. In the home it is valued for its ability to copy human speech. It has a powerful beak and loves to chew and play.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs plenty of room to fly and climb. The World Parrot Trust recommends a walk-in aviary at least 4.5 m long, plus swings, ladders, ropes, foot toys and push-and-pull toys to keep it busy.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Offer regular chances to bathe. Provide plenty of safe chewables such as bird-safe wood, pine cones and vegetable-tanned leather toys to keep the beak busy. Housing should be metal or welded mesh because the beak quickly destroys wood.1
Home where they are happiest
A sturdy metal or welded-mesh walk-in aviary with a minimum length of about 4.5 m, with space for flight, climbing and play.1
Food basics what goes in the bowl
In captivity a mix of fruit (around 30% of the diet: apple, pear, orange, banana, pomegranate), fresh vegetables and greens, cooked or sprouted pulses, spray millet, a limited seed mix and a complete pelleted food. Wild birds eat seeds, buds, flowers, nectar, fruit and nuts.12
Company who they like around
Naturally lives in small flocks that join into bigger groups where food is plentiful and gather at shared roosts, so it enjoys company and daily interaction.12
The story where it all began
The bird carries the name of Alexander the Great, who is said to have sent many of these parakeets from the Punjab to Europe and the Mediterranean, where they were prized. Brisson first described it in 1760 and Linnaeus named it Psittacus eupatria in 1766. Today it is well established in aviculture, especially in Australia.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
It is named after Alexander the Great, who was rumoured to keep one as a companion.1
2
It is the biggest of the Asian parakeets, reaching up to about 62 cm from beak to tail tip.2
3
Free-living flocks have become established far from home, including in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey and several Gulf states.2
4
Its beak is strong enough that the World Parrot Trust advises metal rather than wooden aviary frames.1
Recognised by the official bits
IUCN Red List
The World Parrot Trust encyclopedia lists the species as Least Concern, while Wikipedia reports the current IUCN listing as Near Threatened. Sources differ, so both are given.2
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise.
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