Plum-headed Parakeet

The Plum-headed Parakeet is native to the Indian subcontinent, occupying open forest, deciduous woodland, and cultivated areas across India, Sri Lanka, and neighboring countries. It is one of the more strikingly two-toned Psittacula parakeets, with sexes readily distinguished by head color rather than more subtle marks, unlike some related species.

Body feathers are green overall with a slightly yellowish tinge on the underparts. Males show a head colored deep plum-pink shading to blue on the crown and nape, bordered below by a narrow black chin stripe and a thin turquoise-and-black neck band. Females show a grey-blue head lacking the plum tone, with a yellow collar around the neck in place of the male's black-and-turquoise ring. The tail is long, tapered, and green with a bluish tip, shorter overall than in the larger Alexandrine Parakeet. Wing feathers show a small dark red patch on the shoulder in males, often reduced or absent in females.

Adult males have the plum-pink and blue head with a black-and-turquoise neck ring and a red shoulder patch, while females have a grey-blue head, a yellow neck collar, and typically lack or show a reduced shoulder patch. Juveniles of both sexes resemble females initially, with young males gradually acquiring the plum head color and neck ring over roughly the first two years through successive molts.

This species inhabits open forest, deciduous and mixed woodland, and cultivated farmland across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and neighboring parts of South Asia. It is generally non-migratory, though some populations make local seasonal movements tied to food availability, particularly around fruiting and grain crops.

Plum-headed Parakeets feed on fruit, seeds, blossoms, and grain, often foraging in flocks in orchards and farmland alongside other parakeet species. Nests are placed in tree cavities. Calls include high-pitched, fluty whistled notes, distinct from the harsher screeches of larger Psittacula parakeets, given in flight and while perched in flocks.