Red-breasted parakeet

Red-breasted parakeet
Female (left) and male (right)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Psittacula
Species:
P. alexandri
Binomial name
Psittacula alexandri
Psittacula alexandri distribution by subspecies
Synonyms

Psittacus alexandri Linnaeus, 1758

The red-breasted parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) is a parrot native to Southeast Asia. It is among the more widespread species of the genus and is the species which has the most geographical variations. It is easily identified by the large red patch on its breast. An alternative name is the moustached parakeet depending on subspecies. Most of the subspecies are confined to minuscule islands or a cluster of islands in Indonesia. One subspecies occurs in the Andaman islands, and one subspecies occurs in continental Southeast Asia and partly extending to northeastern parts of South Asia along the foothills of the Himalayas. Some of the island races may be threatened by the wild bird trade. The nominate race, which occurs in Java, is close to extinction.

Feral populations of this species have now established themselves in cities like Mumbai and Singapore. Small numbers occur in other cities such as Chennai and Bangalore in India.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Psittacula alexandri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22685505A111371703. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22685505A111371703.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.