The Alexandrine Parakeet is a widespread and fairly common breeding resident in our area. It is now seen in every month, daily at favoured sites. It is often in pairs or small parties but never seems to form large flocks like the smaller Rose-ringed Parakeet. There are no recent local reports of large communal roosts although small numbers may be seen accompanying the roost bound flocks of its commoner cousin. They are dependent on large trees and inhabit gardens, parks, institutions and temples and they also inhabit well grown woodland, rest-house and temple compounds and roadside trees. They will fly long distances for fruit and cereals and can do damage to crops, particularly orchard fruits.

Alexandrine Parakeets are shyer than Rose-ringed and are more inclined to remain hidden in the upper canopies of trees. But they are noisy birds, making loud strangulated squawks, both when perched and in flight. It is usually this which immediately alerts the observer as, in spite of their larger size, they can be overlooked in the thick leaves. Apart from their large size and massive red bills they can readily be identified by their deep red shoulder patches. Most breed from December through to May and they utilise tree holes which they have partially excavated themselves. It is a popular, if illegal, cage bird but this doesn’t seem to have had an adverse effect on the population in our area.