Blue-wing Parakeet

**Detail about Blue-wing Parakeet**

Blue-wing Parakeet is a large bird. The blue-wing parakeet, also known as the Malabar-parakeet (Psittacula columboides) is a species of parakeet endemic to the Western Ghats of Southern India. The Family of blue-wing parakeet is Psittaculidae and The order of blue-wing parakeet is Psittaciformes. It's genus is Psittacula. The blue-wing parakeet is medium-sized parakeet, measuring 35 to 40 cm in length. The overall plumage of the blue-wing parakeet is bluish gray. The scapular and covert feathers are dark bluish gray. The average adult Malabar parakeet measures 15 inches (38 centimeters) in length. The Malabar parakeet has beautifully colored pulmage. The mass of blue-wing parakeet is 46 g. 
The Blue-winged parrot mainly eats seeds of grasses. It adapts readily to captivity. The Blue-wing parrot lifespan is 21 years. It's higher classification is Rose-ring parakeets. It's conservation status is Least concern (Population stable).

Blue-wing parakeet bird.

Description:

The blue-winged parakeet is bluish grey with a long yellow-tipped tail. The black neck ring is complete in both males and females. The male has a bluish-green lower edge to the black collar and the upper mandible is red with a white tip while the female has an all black bill and has only the black collar. The female looks similar to the female of the plum-headed parakeet which however can be told apart by its broad yellow collar. Flocks move through the forest while calling out in a series of screeching keek-keek-keek calls.

They breed in the dry season after the northeast Monsoon and the chicks fledge before the southwest Monsoon in June. They nest in holes in trees (often tall Mesua ferrea species), especially old woodpecker and barbet nests. The birds begin breeding in December and eggs are laid in December and January. The usual clutch was 4 eggs which hatch after about 23 days. The female initially broods with the male bringing food and later the male takes over. The chicks fledge in about a month and leave the nest. Chicks are sometimes trapped for trade. Individuals have been observed feeding on the leaves of Loranthus longiflorus.

The closest living relative of this species is Layard's parakeet which is endemic to Sri Lanka.

Distribution:

This parakeet is restricted to the Western Ghats south of about 19°N (Kasa, north of Bombay) to Kerala, extending into the hills of the Palnis and Nilgiris as well as the adjoining Eastern Ghats including the Biligirirangan range and possibly further east in the Kolli Hills in India.

Blue-wing Parakeet Video:

**Blue-wing Parakeet Basic Information**

Kingdom: Animalia.
Phylum: Chordata.
Class: Aves.
Order: Psittaciformes.
Family: Psittaculidae.
Genus: Psittacula.
Species: P. columboides.
Binomial Name: Psittacula columboides.
Length: 30 to 40 cm.
Height: 15 inches (38 centimeters).
Mass: 46 g.
Diet: Seeds of grasses.
Lifespan: 21 years.
Higher Classification: Rose-ringed Parakeets.
Conservation Status: Least concern (Population Stable).