Red-breasted Parakeet

Red-breasted Parakeet

Scientific Name: Psittacula alexandri

Malay Name: Bayan Dada Merah

Chinese Name: 绯胸鹦鹉

Range: Northeast India south through most of Southeast Asia excluding southern half of the Malay Peninsula. Has disjunt distributions in the Andaman islands west of Myanmanr, the Barusan islands on the west of Sumatra and on Java. Introduced to Singapore.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: fasciata, abbotti, cala, major, perionca, alexandri, dammermani, kangeanensis.

Size: 33-37 cm

Identification: Male has overall green plumage with distinct pink breast and belly, grey head, blue uppertail, green tail tip and red upper bill. Female is similar to male but has duller pink underparts and black upper bill. Immature birds have grey head and pink underparts green. Distinguished from both Long-tailed Parakeet and Rose-ringed Parakeet by pink underparts and grey head.

Similar looking species: Long-tailed Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Coconut Lorikeet

Habitat: Forages in parks and other open woodland habitats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Well-adapted to urban environments and from massive roost flocks in HDB estates.

Local Status: Common introduced resident

Conservation Status: Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Most parks and open habitats in Singapore. Large roosts in Changi Village and Clementi.

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References:

BirdLife International. (2017). Psittacula alexandri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22685505A111371703.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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