Family Parrots (Psittacidae)
Near Threatened
Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri)
Taxonomy
French: Perruche à moustaches German: Bartsittich Spanish: Cotorra pechirroja
Taxonomy:
Psittacus alexandri
Linnaeus
, 1758,China, Bengal, Ethiopia = Java
.
Subspecies and Distribution
P. a. fasciata
(Statius Müller, 1776) – N India (from W Uttarakhand) E through Nepal, Bhutan, E Bangladesh, Myanmar (S to Tenasserim), Thailand and Indochina to S China and Hainan.
P. a. abbotti
(Oberholser, 1919) – Andaman Is.
P. a. cala
(Oberholser, 1912) – Simeulue I, off NW Sumatra.
P. a. major
(Richmond, 1902) – Lasia I and Babi I (off SE Simeulue).
P. a. perionca
(Oberholser, 1912) – Nias I, off W Sumatra.
P. a. alexandri
(Linnaeus, 1758) – Java, Bali and extreme S Borneo.
P. a. dammermani
Chasen & Kloss, 1932 – Karimunjawa Is, off CN Java.
P. a. kangeanensis
Hoogerwerf, 1962 – Kangean Is, off NE Java.
Introduced (nominate race) to Singapore and C Japan; in Singapore, breeding regular since mid-1980s. Borneo population commonly considered introduced, but this not necessarily correct.
Descriptive notes
33–38 cm; 133–168 g. Bill red, tipped yellow; head pale blue-grey with thin black line from cere to eye, black chin and lower cheeks; underparts pink from throat... read more
Voice
Commonest vocalization a short very nasal downslurred or overslurred squawk, often repeated in... read more
Habitat
Moist deciduous forest, secondary growth, mangroves, teak and coconut plantations, woodland... read more
Food and feeding
Little specific information: nectar and flowers of Salmalia, Bombax, Butea, Parkia speciosa and ... read more
Breeding
Generally Dec–Apr in continental Asia, including Singapore and Andaman Is; every month but Apr on Java. Nest in hollow limb or hole... read more
Movements
Generally sedentary but with local irregular movements sometimes coinciding with food supply... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. CITES II. In continental Asia the species is generally common throughout its range, also on the Andamans where... read more
Closest relatives may be P. derbiana and P. caniceps, despite size differences. N subspecies fasciata is relatively distinctive for having bluish in head and breast, whereas other subspecies have grey head and clear pinkish breast, but black lower mandible of fasciata is shared by birds from W Sumatran islands; further research needed. Eight subspecies recognized.