Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata Scientific name definitions

30–36 cm. Very similar to P. cyanocephala but has forecrown , cheeks and ear-coverts rosy pink hindcrown to ear-coverts bluish lilac, back and rump green, no bluish green band bordering black collar-line , underwing-coverts green not bluish green, tail shorter with tips of central feathers pale yellow. Female has dull bluish grey head , variable yellow collar. Immature has green head. Race <em>juneae</em> generally yellower, with larger red wing-patch.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Commonest vocalization a short strident upslurred whistle, “krreE!”. When perched, utters a wider variety of rather shrill or grating screeches, and short chime-like metallic notes, often in short semi-musical phrases.

Late Feb–Apr in Myanmar (1 Harrison, C. J. O., and D. T. Holyoak (1970). Apparently undescribed parrot eggs in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History). Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 90(2):42–46. Close ); nestlings and juveniles for sale Mar–May in Thailand indicate rather longer season. Nest reportedly as in P. cyanocephala, but holes in old walls and ruins also used. Eggs white, size 24·1–26·7 mm × 21–21·3 mm (nominate) or 24·2–24·6 mm × 20–21·6 mm (juneae) (1 Harrison, C. J. O., and D. T. Holyoak (1970). Apparently undescribed parrot eggs in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History). Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 90(2):42–46. Close ). Nestling period, in captivity, c. 6 weeks.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. CITES II. Apparently abundant in Myanmar around 1900, but now much reduced in numbers, though status better than in Thailand, where habitat loss, trade and general persecution of Psittacula parrots as pests have caused the species to become uncommon or rare. International trade records showed 836 birds exported in period 1981–1985, but 6873 in period 1986–1990, chiefly from Vietnam and Thailand, causing concern that local populations may have been affected adversely; around 1930 the species was considered nowhere common in Indochina.