Alexandrine parakeet (Everything You Need to Know)

Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Ali Shahid

The Alexandrine parakeet is a medium-sized breed of parrot that specializes in high-quality work, especially in the construction industry.

They are also known as the Alexandrine parrot. In the reign of Alexander, the Great, many birds that originated from Punjab were introduced to Europe and the Mediterranean and soon became the prize possessions of royalty.

There are many adjectives used to describe the Alexandrine parakeet, such as loyal, playful, talkative, etc. This bird can also be taught tricks as well as show off its outstanding acrobatic talents.

Among bird lovers, this bird has a special place in their hearts and is gaining in popularity with pet stores, thanks to its popularity with breeders. Continue reading to know more about Alexandrine parakeet.

Origin and History

Originally from the Indian peninsula, the Alexandrine parrot can be found along the country’s eastern coast, from Nepal to Sri Lanka. As they were originally introduced to Europe and the Middle East by Alexander the Great, these birds are named after him.

The parakeet quickly gained prominence among European royalty and nobles as a symbol of status. Adapting fast to their new environment, Alexander’s parakeets have established large populations of wild parakeets throughout Europe and the Middle East.

Parakeets of the Alexandrine genus live in forests, fields, and farmlands in the wild. Their flocks are generally small and they feed in larger groups each day.

Due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade in Alexandrine parakeets, the wild population of these birds is in danger of disappearing.

Physical Appearance

Generally, a slender Alexandrine reaches a length of about 25 inches. It measures 58 cm (23 inches) in total length and with a wingspan that ranges from 18.9-21.5 cm (7.5-8.5 inches), the Alexandrine Parakeet is one of the larger species of Parakeets.

In general, they weigh between 8.75 and 9.1 ounces (250 and 260 grams). In comparison with Indian Ringneck Parakeets, their size is a little bit more noticeable.

An overall dominant green coloration is observed on the body, with some blue-grey spots showing on the cheeks and back of the neck, a yellow-green abdominal area, an enormous red beak with yellow tips, and a red patch on the shoulders.

The tail is yellow on the underside and green, blue, and yellow on the topside, with a yellow tip at the end. The Alexandrine parakeet is a species of dimorphic bird, which means you can easily tell a male and a female by their appearance.

An adult male generally wears a black ring and a rose-shaped ring around his neck. In contrast, females normally do not wear these neck rings. According to veterinary statistics, an Alexandrine Parakeet has a life expectancy of 25 – 30 years old.  

Temperament

The Alexandrine parakeet, when tamed by its owner and hand-fed, can make a loving and affectionate pet, but they tend to become a very possessive and self-centered bird.

As a result, they have a strong bond with a particular member of their family while disliking everyone else in the family.

As with other Asiatic parakeet species, the Alexandrine parrot goes through a phase of aggressive, hormonal changes during its adolescent years, which can be difficult to deal with for less experienced bird owners.

Based on the type of bird, this period might last between two weeks and two years. The Alexandrine parakeet usually settles nicely into its new home environment if it has been socialized properly and is taught bonding techniques.

This type of bird enjoys interacting with its owners and spending time with them. This bird breed is known for its high intelligence, and it is also known that they are excellent talkers, which makes them very popular pets.

Vocalizations

Alexandrine parakeets are quite noisy and can make quite a lot of noise, which makes them unsuitable pets for people who live close to their neighbors.

The powerful vocalizations they use in the wild can carry a long way, so you may have trouble keeping one in an apartment. It imitates human speech very well.

They make a deeper sound than Indian ringneck parakeets, as well as a louder alarm call than any other parakeet in the world.

Diet

As much as possible, you should include good quality food pellets in your Alexandrine parakeet’s diet. To mimic the variety of food sources available to parakeets in the wild, it is also important to provide fresh fruits and vegetables.

The best vegetable choices to consider include leafy greens, carrots, zucchinis, and peas. Melons, berries, bananas, pears, and bananas are among the fruits suitable for this purpose.

Commercial seed mixes, grains, and nuts are examples of foods that could be offered less often. The nutritional needs of all birds are different, so if your parakeet doesn’t seem to like the fruit or veggie that you are offering, try it again or you can try something else.

It is also vital that you change the amount of food that you offer your bird based on the amount of food he or she wants to eat. After your bird has eaten all the food, make sure that you clean up any uneaten fresh food.

Housing Requirements of Alexandrine Parakeet

Several factors should be considered when choosing a birdcage for your pet. The ideal size of the enclosure should be 36 X 24 inches to allow them to move and be active, and with a tail that long, a height of at least 36 inches would be expected as well. 

Since they have a tremendous amount of strength in their beak, it is highly advisable to check the wire for resistance. If you want to keep your pet safe, make sure that he is not exposed to dangers such as sunlight, fumes from cooking, or cold temperatures.

A horizontal bar would encourage climbing a bit more. When it is time to put the bird back in his / her cage, an open roof cage play gym would not be the best option since it will probably be too high for you to reach it.

However, flying exercises and play gym exercises are highly recommended. An interior flying cage can be easily constructed using a wire that is larger in diameter. When letting your bird fly around freely, make sure your home is free of any dangers.

Always keep an eye on this bird’s flight. They chew through all types of perches, so I have not seen them develop bumblefoot because they chew through all types of perches constantly. A good rule of thumb is to change drinking water twice a day.

As long as they are always putting food in their water bowl, teach them to drink from a bottle as well as a water bowl. The Asiatic parrot is known for being quite messy with its water bowls as well as its food bowls.

Grooming

There is no better way to keep Alexandrine parakeets happy than to provide them with regular misting or access to large birdbaths once a week. A regular nail, beak, and wing trim is required for all pet birds, including Alexandrine parakeets.

Many bird owners can trim their birds’ nails and wings by themselves and with just a little bit of practice. If you want to avoid accidents or injuries to your bird, have the beak trimmed only by an experienced groomer or a veterinarian.

Population

In addition to habitat loss and excessive capture for the illegal wildlife trade, there are several other reasons for the steep decline of this species’ population throughout its natural range.

There has also been a backlash of sorts against Alexandrine parakeets in the past because flocks of these noisy colorful birds can wreak havoc on ripening fruits and grains like maize and jowar that are planted in the fields.

It is not known whether the total population size of the Alexandrine parakeet is noted by the IUCN Red List and other sources. The IUCN Red List currently classifies this species as Near Threatened (NT) and its numbers have decreased in recent years as a result.

Breeding

Parakeets of the Alexandrine family are known to breed between November and April in their native habitat. Sometimes they nest in holes they dig themselves or cracks in buildings, but most of the time they nest in hollow trees.

An average female lays two to four eggs 27 to 34 mm (1.1 to 1.3 inches) long that are dull white and oval. It takes about 24 days for these eggs to hatch. In the first few weeks after they hatch, the chicks usually learn to fly.

However, they remain dependent on their parents until the chicks are about 3 to 4 months old.

Exercise

Alexander’s parakeets are generally very active and sociable birds. They need to be kept physically and mentally healthy by performing plenty of exercises. For these birds, it is recommended that you have a large cage for them to fly in.

For them to be able to move freely without damaging their magnificent, long tail feathers, they need space to do so. There is a minimum requirement of three to four hours of stretching, playing, and exercising outside the cage each day for these birds.

Supervised playtime must always take place in an area that can be protected from birds. The Alexandrine’s are very curious animals, and if left unattended they can get into trouble very easily.

You must provide plenty of chewable, bird-safe toys to these intelligent creatures since they get bored very quickly.

From Where to get an Alexandrine Parakeet

A bird breeder or avian-specialty store can sell an Alexandrine parakeet, or you may also purchase it from Amazon. Alexandrine parakeets look extremely elegant with their all-green plumage and their huge beaks.

Many birds in the ringneck family are undergoing a color mutation, and color mutations, such as lutino (yellow) and blue, are becoming more widely available to consumers.

In the Alexandrine, there are five distinct subspecies, each of which is slightly smaller or larger than the others.

An Alexandrine parakeet will cost you between $30 and $120 depending on its color mutation, its age, and where you purchase it. The cost will vary from $500-$2800 depending on where you purchase it.

Frequently Asked Questions

In what ways do Indian ringer neck parakeets and Alexandrine parakeets differ from each other?

In contrast to ringneck parrots found in India, Alexandrine parrots have a bold maroon spot on their body which makes them stand out from one another.

These patches of color are named shoulder patches. A black ring is located around the neck of males, while a ring is missing from the necks of females.

Is Alexandrine’s parakeet capable of talking?

It is a well-known fact that Alexandrine parakeets are highly intelligent birds, known for their excellent talkative abilities, which is why they are very popular pets worldwide.

Is the Alexandrine Parakeet a loud bird?

I would consider the Alexandrine Parakeet to be an excellent pet bird, with the only drawbacks being the loud voice and a small cage. Both their temperaments and their striking appearance make them one of the most desirable pet birds.

Conclusion

The Alexandrine parakeet is a great pet for many reasons, and it is also one of the most unique and entertaining birds. Whenever you decide to get these pets, keep in mind the fact that they can live up to four times longer than any other dog or cat.

This means that you may be spending a lot of time with your parakeet as you grow older together. It’s probably best to think about getting a different pet than an Alexandrine parakeet if you’re not comfortable with that type of commitment.