Dec 25, 2023
Parrots and parakeets are two terms that are used interchangeably. But they are not the same. While parrot is an umbrella term applied to a group of birds, parakeets are small-sized, seed-eating parrots with long tapered tails that occur worldwide and are particularly abundant in the Indian subcontinent. To put it simply, all parakeets are parrots, but all parrots are not parakeets. India is home to a lot of native parakeet species. Here are the different types of parrots found in the country.
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Known for their beauty, intelligence and excellent talking abilities, Alexandrine parakeets have been popular for centuries. The parrot is named after Alexander the Great, who transported numerous birds from Punjab to European and Mediterranean regions.
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Northeast India is home to the resident breeder of the blossom-headed parakeet. The bird is distinguished by its head colour. Blossom-headed parakeets construct their nests within hollowed-out trees.
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The Malabar parakeet also known as the blue–winged parrot, is an indigenous bird of India's western ghats and is distinguished by a long blue tail that is tipped with yellow and dark blue wings.
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The grey-headed parakeet has a wide range in Southeast Asia. Its face is grey and the rest of its head is light green with a faint pale green band below cheeks to hindcrown and its wings are patched absent and the bird has a long tail.
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The long-tailed parakeet is one of the less well-known species and is limited to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. The male members of the species have vivid colours with a red bill, while females have a black bill and a lighter colour look.
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The Lord Derby's parakeet can only be found in the high highlands and evergreen forests of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The adult male and female are distinguished because of their different beak colours and slightly different plumage.
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As the name suggests, this parrot species is indigenous to the Nicobar Islands and has a black stripe along its forehead. The birds are mainly green with a head that is yellowish grey and has noticeable black facial patterns. The Nicobar parakeets also featured a broad black band from the sides of the neck, as well as black stripes from the forehead to the eyes.
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The plum-headed parakeet inhabits forests, open woodlands and the Himalayan foothills. The plum-coloured heads of male parakeets are distinguished from the grey heads of females.
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The Red-breasted parakeets are found in the northern and eastern parts of the country. Male parakeets have a dark red upper bill while the bill colour is black in females. They are energetic beings who enjoy playing games with the owner.
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The ringneck parrot, also known as the rose-ringed parakeet was once only found in India but has since spread to many other regions of the globe. While the male members of the species have a pinkish-black neck ring whereas females have a grey one.
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Slaty-headed parakeets can be found in Bhutan, Nepal and the western Himalayas, including the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Adults have green feathers on their body. It has a dark grey head with a light blue tint where the head meets the neck.
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This species of hanging parrot can be found primarily in the southwest of the nation. The adult male member has a red rump and bill, and blue throat patch, while the female has a green patch.
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