The Plum-headed Parakeet (previously known as the Blossom-headed Parakeet) is a reason-ably common breeding resident to our area. It is less of an urban bird than the other two widespread species of parakeets. They are usually singletons or small parties hurtling through the sky making their very musical “tooi? tooi?” calls. It is found where there are reasonably large trees although it will also raid fruiting orchards. Generally it occurs in much smaller numbers than the Rose-ringed but sizeable flocks may consort with that species at grain-storage depots and rice processing mills.

Plum-headed Parakeets nest mainly in tree holes during the winter months and it will occupy man-made nest boxes.  Sometimes it seems to have competitive trouble from the more dominant Rose-ringed Parakeet. They can be quite confiding near their nest hole and interestingly it is quite usual to see more than one male in attendance with little sign of friction. Whether more than one male feeds the young is not known.