Species Profile
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameri
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Ring-necked Parakeet
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Appearance
The Rose-ringed Parakeet is a vibrant green parrot with a long tail and a distinctive red beak. It measures 38-42 cm in length, with a slender body and pointed wings.
Adult males feature a black throat stripe and a pink and black collar, while females and immature birds lack these markings. Both sexes have a pale ring around the eye and subtle blue tints on the tail.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Secondary
- Pink
- Beak
- Red
- Legs
- Grey
Female Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Beak
- Red
- Legs
- Grey
Male Markings
Black and pink ring around the neck
Tail: Long and pointed, mainly green
Female Markings
Lacks the black and pink neck ring of males
Tail: Long and pointed, mainly green
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Native to Africa and South Asia, Rose-ringed Parakeets inhabit a range of wooded habitats, including open woodlands, savannahs, and cultivated areas. They thrive in human-modified landscapes, including urban parks and gardens.
Feral populations have been established in many countries, including the UK (particularly London), Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the USA, they are found in parts of California and Florida.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Essex
Hertfordshire
Kent
Merseyside
London
Manchester
West Midlands
Oxfordshire
Surrey
Diet
Rose-ringed Parakeets are primarily herbivorous, feeding on various fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, and blossoms.
They show a particular fondness for cultivated fruits and crops, sometimes leading to conflicts with farmers. In urban areas, they readily adapt to feeding on bird feeders.
Behaviour
Rose-ringed Parakeets are highly social and often seen in noisy flocks. They are agile flyers, capable of swift, direct flight with rapid wing beats.
These birds are known for their intelligence and adaptability, readily adjusting to urban environments and even mimicking human speech in captivity.
Calls & Sounds
Rose-ringed Parakeets are known for their loud, screeching calls, often described as a sharp 'kee-ak' or 'kee-ak-kee-ak'. They also produce a variety of softer chattering and whistling sounds when communicating within the flock.
Their ability to mimic human speech has made them popular pets.
Nesting & Breeding
Rose-ringed Parakeets typically breed between September and December in their native range, but timing varies in introduced populations. They form monogamous pairs and engage in mutual preening and feeding during courtship.
These parakeets nest in tree cavities, often competing with native species for suitable sites. They may also use man-made structures. Females lay 2-6 white eggs in an unlined cavity.
Incubation lasts about 22-24 days, primarily by the female. Chicks fledge after 6-7 weeks but may remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
Despite being non-native in many parts of its range, the Rose-ringed Parakeet is listed as Least Concern.
However, its success as an invasive species in Europe and elsewhere has raised concerns about competition with native birds for nesting sites and food resources.
Population
Estimated: Not quantified, but abundant throughout its range[3]
Trend: Increasing[2]
Population increasing, especially in introduced areas
Elevation
Up to 2,000 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- 3cm x 2.5cm
- Predators:
- Natural predators include birds of prey such as hawks and owls, as well as snakes and small mammals that may raid nests for eggs or chicks.
- Alarm calls:
- Rapid 'kak-kak-kak' when alarmed
- Breeding age:
- 3
- Maturity age:
- 3
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, hunting, pet trade
- Parental care:
- Both parents care for the young
- Primary calls:
- Loud three-part 'kak-kak-kak'
- Social habits:
- Very social, often seen in large flocks
- Egg appearance:
- Whitish and round
- Feeding habits:
- Forages in trees and on the ground
- Breeding season:
- January to July in UK, December to May in West Africa, varies in other locations
- Diet variations:
- Diet varies with seasonal availability of food
- Fledging period:
- 7 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 20
- Call description:
- High pitched screeching and squawking
- Daily activities:
- Active throughout the day, roosts in large communal flocks at night
- Nesting location:
- Holes in trees or buildings
- Incubation period:
- 22 days
- Nest construction:
- A simple cavity, no additional materials used
- Migration patterns:
- Non-migratory
- Migratory patterns:
- Non-migratory, but may move locally in response to food availability
- Age related changes:
- Males develop a black and pink ring around the neck at around 3 years old
- Prey capture method:
- Using its beak and feet
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected in some areas, but no major conservation efforts
- Territorial behavior:
- Territorial during breeding season, will defend nests aggressively
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, pairs for life
- Special dietary needs:
- Requires a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and seeds
- Clutch characteristics:
- 3-7 eggs, mainly 3-4
- Interaction with other species:
- Generally peaceful towards other bird species, but may be aggressive towards other parakeets
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their loud, distinctive squawking calls, especially at dawn and dusk
- Look for them in parks and gardens with mature trees
- In the UK, visit London's parks where large populations have established
- Observe feeders in urban areas, as they often visit for seeds and fruits
- Check tree cavities during the breeding season for nesting pairs
Did You Know?
- Rose-ringed Parakeets can live up to 30 years in the wild, making them one of the longest-lived parrots.
- They are considered sacred in some parts of India and are associated with the love god Kamadeva.
- These parakeets have been introduced to over 35 countries on five continents.
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