Monday 11 March 2019

Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)

OTHER NAMES: Alexandrine Parrot
Latin Etymology: Psittacula ("diminutive of parrot") eupatria ("noble daughter")
Adult Female Alexandrine Parakeet (subspecies P. e. siamensis) at Ta Prohm, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Psittacula eupatria siamensis
Weight: 200-300g  /  Length: 52-62cm  /  Wingspan: 19-21.5cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

A large parakeet species - the Alexandrine Parakeet is a distinctly sexually dimorphic species - the male has a similar appearance to the Rose-ringed Parakeet, while the female lacks the black markings, giving it a much more totally green appearance.  Found in India and South-East Asia, it has a mixed colony above the ruins of Ta Prohm in Cambodia. It is named after Alexander the Great who initially introduced parakeets to European countries.

Related Species: 
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Psittacula
SUBSPECIES: P. e. eupatria, P. e. nipalensis, P. e. avensis, P. e. magnirostris, P. e. siamensis

 - Sighting Locations -
CAMBODIA - Khmer - សេកសោម ("Parrot")
A locally common resident.
 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: There is a colony above Ta Prohm

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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