Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri)
Order: PSITTACIFORMES
Family: PSITTACIDAE PARROTS
Scientific name: Psittacula alexandri
English name: Red-breasted Parakeet
Characteristic: Size 36 cm. A medium-sized green parrot with a long characteristic tail. Other conspicuous colour patches include a lavender-blue head, a dark band joining both eyes, a larger dark band running from the bill base to side of neck. Bases of wings are always yellowish. Breast is bright pinkish-red. Underpart is more bluish green. A male has a bright red bill, while a female a wholly black bill.
Distribution: Yunnan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indo-China, Hainan. In Thailand, it distributes widely throughtout the country, except in the south from SuratThani province southwards.
Habitat: Dipterocarp forest, secondary growth and some agricultural areas. Mainly a lowland bird, that can descend up to 1,200 m.
Habit: Found congregating in huge flocks in the fruiting trees, where they climbering along the branches to reach to the ripe fruits or nuts; also consuming seeds, insects and nectar. Breeding time falls between January to April, when a pair will utilize a tree hollow, 3-10 m. above the ground, for egg-laying. Usual clutch is 3-4 eggs.
Status: A Common bird. Occurring in relatively high numbers in Sakaerat area, mainly inhabiting dipterocarp forest. Seen mostly perching on the dipterocarp trees. A flock of hundred birds had ever been reported foraging in a fruiting fig tree.
