### Identification At 58 cm, the Alexandrine Parakeet is the heavy-bodied giant of the *Psittacula* genus. It is a stunning, grass-green bird, but the "silver bullet" for identification is the prominent maroon shoulder patch (or epaulette) on the upper wing coverts. This instantly distinguishes it from the similar Rose-ringed Parakeet. Look for its massive, deeply hooked cherry-red bill—far more robust than its cousins'—and a long, tapering tail with blue-green central feathers tipped in yellow. Adult males boast a striking black neck ring that blends into a soft rose-pink band on the nape, a feature absent in females and juveniles.
### Habitat & Range This species is native to a broad sweep of South and Southeast Asia, from the Himalayan foothills and the Indian subcontinent to Thailand and Vietnam. They are residents of moist deciduous forests, woodlands, and mangroves. However, they are remarkably adaptable; don’t be surprised to find them in urban parks or ancient orchards, provided there are large, old-growth trees available for nesting.
### Behaviour Alexandrines are boisterous and highly social. In the field, you’ll likely hear their loud, resonant "kee-ak" or "skreep" calls long before you spot them. They are powerful, direct flyers, cutting through the canopy with rapid wingbeats. During the breeding season (typically November to April), they are dedicated cavity nesters, often enlarging existing holes in soft-wood trees. Watch for their communal roosts at sunset, where hundreds may gather in a single grove, creating a deafening but spectacular avian choir.
### Diet Their oversized bill is a precision tool for a varied diet. They are primarily granivorous and frugivorous, feasting on wild figs, guava, and blossoms. They are especially fond of cracking hard-shelled nuts and seeds that smaller parakeets cannot manage. In agricultural regions, they can be seen deftly stripping grain from stalks or raiding sunflower crops.
### Fascinating Fact This parrot is a living piece of history! It is named after Alexander the Great, who is credited with exporting these birds from the Punjab region to Europe and the Mediterranean in 327 BC. They were considered prized possessions of royalty and the aristocracy for centuries.