Alexandrine parakeet
The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), also known as the Alexandrine parrot, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula of the family Psittaculidae, native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is named after Alexander the Great, who transported numerous birds from Punjab to various European and Mediterranean countries and regions, where they were prized by the royalty, nobility and warlords.[2][3]
The Alexandrine parakeet has established feral populations in Turkey,[4] Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab EmiratesIran,and Pakistan where it lives alongside feral populations of its close relative, the rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri).[1][2][5][6][7]
Taxonomy and etymology[edit]
The Alexandrine parakeet was first described by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson as Psittaca Ginginiana or "La Perruche de Gingi" (The Gingi's Parakeet) in 1760; after the town of Gingee in southeastern India, which was a French outpost then. The birds may, however, merely have been held in captivity there.[8]
Carl Linnaeus redescribed the Alexandrine parakeet in 1766 as Psittacus eupatria.[9]
The genus name Psittacula is a diminutive of the Latin word psittacus meaning "parrot", and the specific name eupatria (εὖπατριά) is derived from the ancient Greek eu- meaning "well" and patriá meaning "descent".[10][11][12]
In 2019, a genetic study revived the genus Palaeornis, formerly viewed as a synonym of the current genus Psittacula. Some organisations – including the IUCN – have accepted the new taxonomy.[1]
If this were to be taken into account, this could mean that the Alexandrine parakeet is the only living member of the now-revived genus.
Phylogeny[edit]
Genetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences of Psittacula parakeets has shown that the Alexandrine parakeet diverged from the lineage that gave rise to the rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and the Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques) about 5 million years ago.[13]
Aviculture[edit]
Alexandrine parakeets are relatively popular pet birds due to their long lifespan in captivity (up to 40 years),[18]
playful behaviour and ability to mimic human speech. Alexander the Great is thought to have kept one as a pet. They are one of the most sought-after cage birds in the Indian market. According to CITES trade data, at least 57772 Alexandrine parakeets were imported into countries outside their native range between 1981 and 2014.[1][3][5][19]
Color variants including lutino, albino, and blue are well-established in captivity.
The World Parrot Trust recommends that captive Alexandrine parrots be kept in a metal or welded mesh enclosure of minimum length 4.5 metres (15 ft).[18]
Conservation[edit]
The Alexandrine parakeet is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of its steep population decline in its native range due to habitat loss, persecution and excessive capture to cater to the demands of the illegal wildlife trade. It is sporadic in South India, uncommon in Bangladesh, and declining in North Bengal and certain parts of Sri Lanka. It has suffered the greatest population declines in the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan, Laos, northwestern and southwestern Cambodia, and Thailand.[1][20][21]
The sale of Alexandrine parakeets is not banned in Pakistan, and they can be found being openly sold in the markets of Lahore and Rawalpindi. Their sale is banned in India, and yet they are sold in broad daylight in urban bird markets, suggesting that the Indian government is allocating insufficient resources for their protection.[19][21]