Alexandrine Parakeet

Looks how to spot one

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

Personality what they are like

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

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

CITES

Appendix II.1

Taxonomy

Described by Brisson in 1760 and given its scientific name by Linnaeus in 1766. Five subspecies are recognised.2