Slaty-headed Parakeet

The Slaty-headed Parakeet, Psittacula himalayana, presents a striking figure with its predominantly green plumage, tinged with blue. A notable feature is its namesake slate-colored head, which transitions to a light blue at the nape. The male of the species is distinguished by dark maroon patches on the inner wing coverts, absent in females. Males also boast longer central tail feathers compared to their female counterparts. The tail itself is a vibrant tapestry, starting green at the base, then shifting to deep blue, and finally culminating in a bright yellow tip. The bird's beak is a vivid red-orange on the upper mandible, contrasting with a pale yellow lower mandible, and it has pale yellow eyes.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Slaty-headed Parakeet, look for the dark grey head and the red-orange upper mandible. The male's maroon wing patches and the longer tail feathers can help differentiate between sexes. The tail's color gradient from green to blue, ending in yellow, is also a key characteristic.

Habitat

This parakeet favors highland and hillside forests, as well as valley woodlands, where it thrives at elevations ranging from 460 to 2400 meters.

Distribution

The species has a broad range across the Himalayas, inhabiting regions from Pakistan to the Western Himalayas in India, through Nepal and Bhutan, and reaching the Eastern Himalayas in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Behaviour

Slaty-headed Parakeets are typically seen in small flocks or family groups. They exhibit altitudinal migration, descending into valleys during winter, around the last week of October. They often congregate in larger flocks at the end of the wet season. It's not uncommon to see them mingling with other parakeet species, such as the rose-ringed, plum-headed, and blossom-headed parakeets.

Breeding

The breeding season for these parakeets falls between March and May. Females lay clutches of 4-5 eggs, each measuring about 28.5 x 22 mm. The incubation period lasts approximately 23-24 days. In Afghanistan, they are known to nest in abandoned cavities of the scaly-bellied woodpecker, sometimes nesting in close proximity for added protection against predators.

Similar Species

While in the company of other parakeets, the Slaty-headed Parakeet can be confused with similar species. However, its unique slate-colored head and maroon wing patches in males are distinguishing features.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of a variety of fruits, both wild and cultivated, nuts, pine nuts, seeds, nectar, and acorns. They forage in their natural habitat and are also known to visit agricultural areas.

Conservation status

The Slaty-headed Parakeet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or habitat loss.