From Opus

Photo by atanumondal
Male

Psittacula columboides

[edit] Identification

A medium sized blue-greenish Parakeet

• Very long tail
• Blue-grey foreparts
• Black collar
• Blue rump and primaries
• Yellow edges on dark wing coverts

[edit] Male

• Blue lower border to collar
• Red upper mandible

[edit] Female

• Duller and greener than male
• All black bill

[edit] Distribution

	Endemic to Western Ghats south from N Maharashtra in Southern India. Can be found in various National Parks and reserves such as Nagarhole, Mudumalai, Periyar and Thattekad. A locally common restricted range species.
	Legend • P. columboides; year-round Maps/Texts consulted1,2,3,4,5

[edit] Taxonomy

A monotypic member of the S Asian Psittacula Parakeets.

[edit] Habitat

Tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, secondary growth and abandonend plantations. From the plains up to 1600m, but mainly between 450-1000m.

Seems to be able to adapt also to disturbed habitats.

[edit] Behaviour

A gregarious species which sometimes forms mixed flocks with Plum-headed Parakeets.

Breeds from December to March. Nests in a tree hole, preferring high trees, usually Ironwood and Grewia tiliifolia. Lays 4-5 eggs.

Feeds on grain, seeds and fruits (preferring figs). Takes also buds, petals and nectar. May damage crop of Sorghum or other cereals and Orchards.

Resident with some food-related movements.

[edit] References

1. Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
2. Grimmett, R, C Inskipp, and T Inskipp. 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 978-0713640045
3. Kazmierczak, K and B van Perlo. 2000. A Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0300079210
4. Kazmierczak, K and R Singh. 2001. A Birdwatcher's Guide to India. New Dehli: India Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN 978-1871104080
5. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221

• List of references

[edit] External Links