The Malabar Parakeet

 The Malabar Parakeet, also known as the Blue-winged Parakeet (Psittaculacolumboides), is a captivating medium-sized parrot endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. This species is characterised by its bluish-grey head and upperparts, which contrast beautifully with its green body. Males have a distinct black neck ring with a bluish-green lower edge and a red upper mandible with a white tip. Females, in contrast, have an entirely black bill and lack the prominent bluish-green border on their neck ring. Both sexes feature a long, elegant blue tail tipped with yellow, and their dark wings also have a blue hue. Immature birds generally have a greyer head and a pale orange beak that darkens with age.

Malabar Parakeets are found in tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests, as well as secondary growth and abandoned plantations within the Western Ghats. Their range extends from north of Mumbai down to Kerala, including the Nilgiri and Palni hills. They are typically found at elevations between 100 and 1,600 meters.

These parakeets are social birds, often seen in small, noisy flocks. They are known for their rapid flight through forest clearings and their distinctive, screeching calls. Their diet primarily consists of fruits (especially figs), seeds, berries, leaf buds, flowers, pollen, and nectar. They may also be considered a minor crop pest in some agricultural areas.

The breeding season for Malabar Parakeets usually runs from December to March. They typically nest in tree cavities, often utilising old woodpecker or barbet nests. A clutch usually contains 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated for approximately 23 days, mainly by the female. The chicks fledge after about a month.