Plum-headed Parakeet

The Plum-headed Parakeet is a small, slender parrot of the Indian subcontinent, named for the adult male's rich plum-purple head, which contrasts with its otherwise green body. A narrow black chin stripe and a thin blue-black collar separate the colored head from the green neck and body, and a small dark patch marks the shoulder.

Females are quite different, with a soft grey-blue head lacking the purple wash, a yellow (rather than black) neck ring, and no chin stripe, making the sexes readily distinguishable — an unusual degree of plumage difference for parakeets of this genus.

Key field marks

• Small size, slim build, long pointed tail
• Male: plum-purple head, thin black chin stripe, blue-black neck collar, small dark red shoulder patch
• Female: grey-blue head (no purple), thin yellow neck ring, no chin stripe
• Yellow-tipped tail feathers visible in flight

Similar species

The Rose-ringed Parakeet is larger with a plain green head in both sexes and lacks any purple or grey head coloring. The Alexandrine Parakeet is much bigger with a maroon shoulder patch and a heavier bill.

Plum-headed Parakeets are found across much of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, in open deciduous forest, forest edges, farmland, orchards, and gardens, generally in the plains and lower hills. They are largely resident, though local movements occur in response to fruiting and flowering trees.

Voice

Calls include a distinctive, rolling "toy-toy" or "tui-tui" whistled note, softer and more musical than the harsher screeches of larger parakeets.

Feeding

They feed on seeds, fruit, blossoms, nectar, and grain, foraging in small flocks in the canopy of fruiting or flowering trees and sometimes visiting crop fields.

Nesting and breeding

Plum-headed Parakeets nest in tree cavities, often old woodpecker holes or natural hollows, laying 4-5 eggs incubated mainly by the female. Both parents help feed the chicks, and pairs may reuse favored nest sites in successive seasons.