[P. alexandri: Moustached parakeet]
[P. calthorpae: Emerald-collared parakeet]
[P. caniceps: Blyth's parakeet]
[P. columboides: Malabar parakeet]
[P. cyanocephala: Plumheaded parakeet]
[P. derbyana: Derbyan parakeet]
[P. echo: Mauritius parakeet]
[P. eupatria: Alexandrine parakeet]
[P. exsul: Newton's parakeet]
[P. himalayana: Slatyheaded parakeet]
[P. intermedia: Intermediar parakeet]
[P. krameri: Ringnecked parakeet]
 [P. longicauda: Long-tailed parakeet][P. wardi: Seychelles parakeet] 

Psittacula roseata [Biswas 1951]

Blossom-headed Parakeet

1. Psittacula roseata roseata (Biswas 1951)

Blossom-headed Parakeet

Description: Green; head pink, becoming violet-blue on back of crown and nape; black cheek-stripe and narrow band to nape adjoining blue-green band; lower back and under wing-coverts green; brown-red patch to wing coverts; middle tail-feathers blue with pale yellow tips; outer tail-feathers yellow-green with pale yellow tips; upper mandible orange-yellow; lower mandible brownish-black; iris whitish-yellow; feet grey.

Hen with blue-grey head and yellowish collar; dark red patch to wing coverts much smaller; upper mandible pale yellowish, lower mandible whitish-grey.

Immatures with greenish head and often grey tinge to chin; upper and lower mandible yellowish; both sexes attain adult hen colouring at 15 months; cocks attain cock adult plumage by 30 months.

Length: 30 cm, wing length 128 - 148 mm, tail length 141 - 179 mm.

Distribution: Western Bengal and Southern Assam to East Pakistan, Bangla Desh and Northern Burma.

2. Psittacula roseata juneae (Biswas 1951)

Burmese Blossom-headed Parakeet

Description: As roseata, but plumage generally slightly paler and more yellowish; brown-red patch to wing-coverts slightly larger; middle tail-feathers very slightly paler blue; outer feathers paler yellow-green.

Hen and immatures as in nominate type, but plumage likewise generally more yellowish.

Length: 30 cm, wing length 126 - 142 mm, tail length 129 - 170 mm.

Distribution: Southernmost Assam and Southern Burma East across Thailand to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.


P. r. roseata and P. cyanocephala Cocks
Photo: Z. Rana

1.Psittacula r. roseata Cock
Photo: Z. Rana

2.Psittacula r. juneae Hen and Cock
Photo: Z. Rana

Psittacula r. roseata
Psittacula r. juneae
 


Note: The Blossom-headed Parakeet has been known as a sub-specie of the Plumheaded Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala) for centuries. Boddaert named in 1753 the Blossomheaded Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala rosa as a sub-specie of the Plumheaded Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala). The actual name as an own specie which is known at the time, Blossomheaded Parakeet (Psittacula r. roseata), has been given by Biswas in 1951.

Habitat: Wooded areas to 1,500 m; secondary forest and partially cleared areas; dry and humid savannah with bushes and trees; prefers forest edges adjoining cultivated areas.

Status: Only common in localities; has already disappeared in many areas because of habitat destruction and trapping for trade.

Behaviour: Nomadic in pairs or flocks of up to 20 birds; direction determined by food availability; occasionally associates with Moustached Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri); flight swift and direct;

Call: Oraucous, cackling cries during flight.

Natural diet: Seeds, fruits, flowers and leaf buds; forages in fruit plantations and paddy fields in some regions.

Nesting: Breeding season in Burma from March to May; no further details known; egg measures 25.1 x 21.0 mm.

Aviculture: Quiet parakeet, seldom heard; initially very shy, later confiding; newly imported birds susceptible and difficult to acclimatise; later hardy; very active in aviary; often apathetic in small cage; enjoys bathing; not particularly hard chewer; but enjoys nibbling at fresh branches; peaceable in communal aviary; cannot assert itself with larger birds; susceptible to cold, wet conditions.

Accommodation: Outside flight 3 x 1 x 2 m with adjoining shelter; can be planted; minimum temperature 10°C; not less than 20°C during acclimatisation; provide roosting box 22 x 22 x 60 cm from outset.

Diet: Seed mix of safflower, wild bird food, buckwheat, some sunflower, various millets, canary grass seed, oats and hemp; millet spray ( also sprouted); fruit ( apple, kiwi,orange), greenfood and vegetables (carrot, sweet pepper, cucumber; eggfood and biscuit for rearing.

Clutch: 4 - 5 eggs.

Incubation: 23 days.

Breeding: Seldom achieved; breeding begins mostly in April; clutch 4 to 5 eggs; incubation 23 days; fledging period 7 weeks; young independent after 14 days; hen occasionally aggressive to cock; two breedings a year possible.

Mutations: A Lutino mutation was known, but it seemed to be the Lutino Slaty-headed parakeet; there are rumors of a Blue mutation.



Psittacula r. juneae Cock
Photo: Z. Rana

Psittacula r. roseata Hen and Cock
Photo: Z. Rana

Psittacula r. roseata Hen
Photo: Z. Rana
[P. alexandri: Moustached parakeet]
[P. calthorpae: Emerald-collared parakeet]
[P. caniceps: Blyth's parakeet]
[P. columboides: Malabar parakeet]
[P. cyanocephala: Plumheaded parakeet]
[P. derbyana: Derbyan parakeet]
[P. echo: Mauritius parakeet]
[P. eupatria: Alexandrine parakeet]
[P. exsul: Newton's parakeet]
[P. himalayana: Slatyheaded parakeet]
[P. intermedia: Intermediar parakeet]
[P. krameri: Ringnecked parakeet]
 [P. longicauda: Long-tailed parakeet][P. wardi: Seychelles parakeet] 

All photographs are copyrighted by their respective owners.
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