Balcony Birding: Asiatic Parakeets

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“Its no coincidence that both birds and angels have wings.”

The Alexandrine parakeet

The beauty of colors seen in a parakeet in flight

The Rose-Ringed parakeet

I have seen many species of birds from my balcony since spring (before covid lockdown). The beautiful red silk cotton tree or semal tree is a blessing as its blooms attracts birds like magnets. So from Feb end to March end the parakeets frequently flocked on it. As the season changed making way for summer, I now see them flying across in groups; though once in a while they perch on trees and wires.

Parakeets not only look attractive they are also fun to watch ….. oh ok ok, minus their shrill screech that tears into the silence!! Have you ever seen them flying in a group? To me they seem like school kids proceeding ahead in a disciplined way until someone decides to break the line; this leads to frequent, little loitering till they reach their classroom.

Its a delight photographing the parakeets

Time for a power nap

While I watched them and clicked them I realized there were two different kinds that were flocking on the blooming Semal tree. The Rose Ringed or Indian Ringneck Parakeet and the Alexandrine Parakeet.

THE ROSE-RINGED OR INDIAN RINGNECK PARAKEET
Psittacula krameri
Least Concern

The parakeets love to live in a group

Who will he choose?

Love is in the air!

In rose-ringed or Indian ring-necked parakeet, only the adult males have the red or black ring around the neck that gives them their name. With no ring around the neck its very difficult to distinguish immature males and females from each other. Both gender have an incredible ability to mimic human speech and regular sounds prevalent within a home. They can learn a lot of words (~ 250 words) and this makes them a popular pet option. The ring-neck is the most widely distributed of all the parrots, as it is found naturally across two continents: Africa and Asia. They prefer nesting in a hole in a tree.

THE ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET
Psittacula eupatria
Near Threatened

The naughty and friendly Alexandrine parakeet

Strike a pose!

The red patch on the shoulder is a unique feature in an Alexandrine

The latter gets its name from Alexander the great, who was so fascinated by their mimicry talent, that he exported them from Punjab to the European & Mediterranean regions. They became a prized possession of nobles and royalty in no time. This medium-sized parrot is the largest of the Asiatic parakeets. A maroon or reddish-brown “shoulder” patch is the most distinct feature that sets them apart the Rose Ringed ones besides a much longer tail, bigger beak and a shade darker green. These parrots have an amazing temperament, not only are they affectionate they also love to be hand fed. They have a reputation of being very loyal to “one-person” and if living in a household they will royally ignore others.

Sadly these parakeets are still sold in the pet market for this very talent, even though their sale is banned. Here’s a short video I made on the parakeets:

Watching the parakeet from my home’s balcony

Can you spot the beautiful blue in their tail? Pretty isn’t it !

Parakeets flying home during sunset

Flocks and flocks of parakeets can be seen flying across the sky everyday. I am sure the Plum Headed Parakeets are a part of it too. Though I cannot guess from far. Then sometime in November I managed to click the female flying low.

Plum Headed Parakeet (Female) flying past my balcony

The Plum Headed Parakeets (male & female) that I had come across in Ranthambore & Pangot.
Psittacula cyanocephala
Least Concern

Plum headed parakeet (male) at Ranthambore

Plum headed parakeet (female) at Pangot

Here is one pair that is home hunting in the society I reside in. Of all the places the lady wants to live in the concrete jungle! This pair keeps checking this exhaust duct every alternate day. I guess the lady likes it and is exploring the extension/ modification options. The man has not much say and is busy working out the hours of hardship to follow. Living in a city is expensive after all. (November 2020)

Here’s a photo of a Rose Ringed pair on a home hunt in the concrete jungle

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Do watch out for the next post on another species from my #BalconyBirdingList

Posts shared so far on:
1. Rosy Starlings
2. Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon
3. Alexandrine Parakeet
4. Rose-Ringed Parakeet
5. Plum Headed Parakeet

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HAPPY  TRAVELLING!
Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe

This published post is being shared as part of:

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