The red-breasted parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) is a bird species in the family Psittacidae (Psittaciformes, Aves). As the only type of tropical parrot living in the wild in Hainan, it is an extremely rare bird. It is only recorded to be discovered in the YingGe Ling of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park.

Protection class

It is a Class II national protected animal. It is also listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Morphological characteristics

The red-breasted parakeet is easily identified by the large reddish patch on its breast. A black band can be seen on the forehead of the male that extends backward along the sides to the eyes. And a black wide stripe extends from the lower beak on either side to the neck. The area around the eyes is greenish and the overall tone of the head is purple gray. The neck is grayish green, while the back, shoulders, the medial covert and flight feathers are all bronze with metallic green luster. The tip of the feathers has dark moth-like spots. The lateral plumage is golden green, also with dark moth-like spots. It has a long and narrow tail, with two blue feathers in the middle particularly narrow. The basal feather margin is green. The two sides of the tail feathers become shorter outwards. The outer feathers are blue, while the inner ones are green or golden green. The rachis is dark brown. The part beneath the chin is white. Plumage in the chest and the throat are ruby, with a purple and gray tint. The rest of the lower body and coverts underneath are green, and the feathers in the abdomen are tinged with purple-blue.

The female red-breasted parakeet is identified by a bluish gray head and orange-red throat and breast with no purple-gray feathers. The medial tail feathers of a female bird are shorter than those of the male. The immature birds are easily distinguished by a blue-gray head with a purple-gray tinge on the forehead, green body, purple throat and breast, and shorter medial tail feathers. The iris is yellow in males and yellowish white in females. The upper beak of males is mostly coral-red with an ivory apex. Females have a black-brown beak and dull yellow-green or yellow feet.

Habitat

In Hainan, red-breasted parakeets have been recorded to live in central mountainous areas planted with Oreorchis or corns, around 600 meters above sea level.

Habits

Red-breasted parakeets are usually in flocks of ten birds or to dozens. They are good at climbing up and down with their bleak and feet. They are mostly found to fly low in the woods or heading to rural areas. They form communal roosts in tall trees. They often make loud noise when flying and quiet down when foraging for food. Red-breasted parakeets tend to migrate to places with abundant food. They fly slower than other parakeets yet with a louder voice. The diet of red-breasted parakeets includes wild berries, nuts and grains, as well as seeds, nectar, twigs and shoots. They also feed on insects.