The Alexandrine parakeet, also called the Alexandrine parrot, is a bright, gentle, independent, medium-sized bird known to be hardy and relatively quiet compared to their Indian ring-neck cousins. This bird is a favorite among fanciers and is becoming more popular in the pet trade than in past years due to its growing popularity with bird breeders.
The Alexandrine parakeet is named after emperor Alexander The Great (born 356 B.C. ), who is said to have had numerous Alexandrine parrots exported to Europe and the Mediterranean, where it was popular with nobility and the upper class.
Native Region / Natural Habitat
The Alexandrine parakeet is native to East India to Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh in the South, Sri Lanka.
Alexandrine parakeets need a cage tall enough to accommodate their long tail feathers, which can be up to 14 inches in length. Alexandrines, like most parrots, are chewing machines and need lots of softwood toys to keep them happy. Add on a few rope toys and a couple of indestructible acrylic toys, and the Alexandrine is ready to play. Puzzle toys that hide nuts or dried fruit can be especially entertaining for an Alexandrine parakeet, which is always ready for a challenge.
Alexandrine parakeets will generally live peacefully with others of its kind but might be aggressive toward other birds. The Alexandrine parakeet’s beak is powerful and large, so keep smaller birds out of your pet’s reach. If you have a “cousin” bird, like an Indian ring-necked parakeet, you can let the birds play, but you should not let the two species breed. All in all, the Alexandrine is a lovable, intelligent parrot that can live more than 30 years if cared for properly.
Alexandrine parakeets’ diet should consist of a pelleted base diet, as well as fruits and vegetables. Check out Lafeber’s Premium Daily pellets, Nutri-Berries, and Avi-Cakes. The shape, textures, and ingredients encourage increased food interaction, which results in nutritious foraging that’s healthy for birds.
