Slaty-headed Parakeet
Psittacula himalayana
The Slaty-headed Parakeet (Psittacula himalayana) is a uncommon old world parrot found in 5 countries, weighing about 161 g. The slaty-headed parakeet is the only psittacid species to exhibit altitudinal migration.
About the Slaty-headed Parakeet
The slaty-headed parakeet is the only psittacid species to exhibit altitudinal migration. The species' range extends from Pakistan, to Western Himalayas in India through Nepal and Bhutan and up to the Eastern Himalayas in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. They descend to the valleys in winter, approximately during the last week of October.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adults of both sexes have green (tinted with blue) feathers on most of their body. It has a dark grey (slate colored) head with a light blue tint where head meets the neck. Males feature dark maroon patches on inner wing coverts. Females do not feature these maroon patches. Males have long central tail feathers which are shorter in female birds. The tail is green at base and becomes deep blue and widely tipped with bright yellow. The parakeet features a bright red-orange upper mandible with a pale yellow lower. It also has a pale yellow eye.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Slaty-headed Parakeet?
- Adults of both sexes have green (tinted with blue) feathers on most of their body. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Slaty-headed Parakeet?
- The Slaty-headed Parakeet is a medium sized bird weighing about 161 g.
- Where can you see a Slaty-headed Parakeet?
- The Slaty-headed Parakeet occurs in 5 countries, including India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan.
- What birds look similar to a Slaty-headed Parakeet?
- The Slaty-headed Parakeet is most easily confused with the Long-tailed Parakeet, the Blossom-headed Parakeet and the Layard's Parakeet.
- Is the Slaty-headed Parakeet endangered?
- The Slaty-headed Parakeet is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Slaty-headed Parakeet for real
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