Bird Guide

Alexandrine Parakeet vs Australian Ringneck

Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)

Alexandrine Parakeet

Psittacula eupatria

Medium214 g

The Alexandrine parakeet is one of the largest parakeets, measuring 56 to 62 cm (22 to 24 in) from the top of the head to the tip of the tail and weighing 200 to 300 g (7.1 to 10.6 oz). The tail measures 28 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in). It is predominantly green with a light blue-grey sheen on the cheeks and nape (back of the neck), yellow-green abdomen, red patch on the shoulders and massive red beak with yellow tips. The upper-side of the tail passes from green at the top to blue further down, and is yellow at the tip. The underside of the tail is yellow. Adults are sexually dimorphic.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sudipto Roy · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: tobijw · CC BY 4.0
Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius)

Australian Ringneck

Barnardius zonarius

Medium121 gForest

The subspecies of the Australian ringneck differ considerably in colouration. It is a medium size species around 33 cm (13 in) long. The basic colour is green, and all four subspecies have the characteristic yellow ring around the hindneck; wings and tail are a mixture of green and blue. The B. z. zonarius and B. z. semitorquatus subspecies have a dull black head; back, rump and wings are brilliant green; throat and breast bluish-green. The difference between these two subspecies is that B. z. zonarius has a yellow abdomen while B. z.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Arthur Chapman · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Alexandrine Parakeet and Australian Ringneck.