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Ring-necked Parakeet

Ring-necked Parakeet
Male Mostly emerald green with very long tail, and pink and black neck ring.

Female: Like the male, but no neck ring.
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Originally from Africa and southern Asia and kept as caged birds, some Ring-necked Parakeets escaped and by the 1970s started breeding in south-eastern England. The largest population is at Esher, Surrey, and the roost holds up to 7000 birds.

In both sexes the plumage is bright emerald green, the hooked bill is crimson and their very long tail is a blue-green. The legs are greenish-grey.

The male differs from the female in that it has a pink and black neck ring and a blue nape.

Juveniles are like the female but yellower and have a shorter tail.


Scientific Name Psittacula krameri
Length 38-42 cm  (15-17")
Wing Span 42-48 cm  (17-19")
Weight 100-150 g  (3½-5½ oz)
Breeding Pairs 5000
Present All Year
Status Green

Distribution map - when and where you are most likely to see the species.

Voice

Ring-necked Parakeets are very noisy and their call is a shrill screeching noise.

Call

© Jean Roché, www.sittelle.com

Feeding

The parakeet's diet consists of seeds, berries, fruits, flowers and nectar, but British birds also wild bird seeds and meat (such as bacon rind and meat from bone).

Nesting

Ring-necked Parakeets first bred in 1969.

The nest is usually in the hole of a tree and is made from wood debris and feathers.

The smooth, non-glossy white eggs are about 30 mm by 23 mm. The female incubates the eggs by herself. After the young hatch, they are fed by both parents.

Breeding Starts Clutches Eggs Incubation (days) Fledge (days)
January 1 3-6 25-28 c.56

Movements

Ring-necked Parakeets are mostly sedentary.

Conservation

Not a conservation species.