Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE CUCKOO-LIKE BIRDS

THE PARROTS

True Parakeets

Passing over several genera of the Oriental region, in which this sexual difference is marked to a greater or less degree, but of which little is known in a wild state, we come to the true Parakeets (Palaornis), which are distinguished at once by a very long, graduated tail, the feathers of which, but especially the two central ones, are very narrow.

They comprise a very large genus of twenty-five species, and range from Africa north of the equator through the Seychelles and Mauritius to India, Ceylon, and Cochin China, and thence through the Malay Peninsula to the large islands adjacent. The plumage is in general green, relieved in many species by a collar of rose-color, though the species are divided into two groups on the color of the head, this in one being entirely green, and in the other only partially or not at all of this hue. The commonest and best-known Indian species is the Rose-ringed Parakeet (P. torquata), the male of which attains a total length of sixteen or seventeen inches, of which the tail takes up about ten inches.

The general color is green both above and below, the back part of the head with a tinge of blue, and the breast tinged with gray, while, as the name implies, there is a collar of rose about the neck except in front, and black stripes down and across the throat; the central tail-feathers are bluish and the others green and yellow. This species, Mr. Blanford tells us, abounds about towns and villages in most parts of the country, keeping mostly to the open and cultivated land.

”It is often seen perched on houses and buildings of various kinds, such as temples or structures about fields and does much damage by pilfering grain and fruit. It occurs in large flocks at times, and often collects in great numbers toward sunset and perches for the night on trees near towns and villages, with Crows and Mynas, though sometimes they perch on bamboos. The cry of this Parrot, often uttered during the bird's swift arrowy flight, is shrill and rather harsh.”The breeding season extends from January to May, the three or sometimes four eggs being placed in a hollow tree with little or no nest.

These birds are easily domesticated, becoming attached and familiar, and are usually to be seen in most native and European houses. The other species, such for instance as the Blossom-headed Parakeet (P. cyanocephala), are in general more forest-haunting in their habits, and this particular one is said to have a softer and more musical cry. Another interesting species is the Bearded Parakeet (P. modesta) of the Indian Archipelago.

 

 

 

 

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