This stunning parakeet species has a vibrant red upper bill and a distinctive black-and-blue collar.
Meet the Malabar Parakeet:
“Malabar parakeet on branch” by Nagarjun is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Description: The Malabar parakeet (Psittacula columboides, is also known as the blue-winged parakeet (Psittacula columboides). Sporting a bluish-grey hue with lengthy yellow-tipped tails, both male and female blue-winged parakeets showcase complete black neck rings. The male exhibits a bluish-green lower edge to the black collar and a red upper mandible with a white tip.
“Malabar or Blue-winged parakeet (Psittacula columboides) by Shantanu Kuveskar” by Shantanu Kuveskar is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Conversely, the female features an entirely black bill and only the black collar. While resembling the female plum-headed parakeet, they can be differentiated by the latter’s broad yellow collar.
Moving through forests in flocks, they emit a series of screeching keek-keek-keek calls as they travel.
“Male Malabar parakeet (51759241394)” by Kandukuru Nagarjun from Bangalore, India is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
This parakeet species is native to the Western Ghats in southern India. Their range extends to the hills of the Palnis and Nilgiris, including the neighboring Eastern Ghats, such as the Biligirirangan range. There are suggestions of their presence further east in the Kolli Hills in India.
“File:Blue-winged Parakeet (cropped).jpg” by Suriyakumars is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
These vibrant birds fly swiftly in small groups across forest clearings, emitting distinct screeching calls that set them apart from other parakeet species in the region. Their long tails, tinged in yellow, complement their dark wings, creating a striking contrast against their otherwise dull grey head and body.
“File:Malabar Parkeet by Joseph Lazer.jpg” by Joseph Lazer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5.
Malabar parakeets enjoy eating nectar and pollen from flowers. Some will take small amounts of commercial lorikeet food.
“Blue-winged Parakeet pair by N.A. Nazeer” by N A Nazeer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5.
Breeding Behavior: Blue-winged parakeets breed during the dry season following the northeast Monsoon, and their chicks fledge before the arrival of the southwest Monsoon in June. They typically nest in tree holes, often selecting old woodpecker or barbet nests, especially those in tall Mesua ferrea species. Breeding usually begins in December, with eggs laid in December and January. The clutch size averages around four eggs, hatching after approximately 23 days. Initially, the female broods while the male brings food, eventually transitioning to the male’s sole responsibility. After about a month, the chicks fledge and leave the nest. Occasionally, chicks are trapped for trade. These birds have been observed feeding on Loranthus longiflorus leaves.
“blue-winged parakeet, also known as the Malabar parakeet (Psittacula columboides)” by haneesh is marked with CC0 1.0.
This bird is regarded as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Once traded but now illegal within India, this species was formerly known in the pet trade as the “Bababudan Parrot” and was mistakenly reputed as an exceptional talker.
“Malabar Parakeet” by Eric Gropp is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Watch this bird next:
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A Vividly Red Face, And Prominent Black Cap Seem To Go Hand In Hand With This Bird’s Nervous Long Tail And Hyperactive State!
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