Ring-necked Parakeet

NAME:

Ring-necked Parakeet

ZOO NAME:

Charlie

CLASS:

Aves

GENUS:

Psittacula

SPECIES:

P. krameri

LENGTH:

15-17″ Long, 10″ Tail, 1 ft. Wingspan

WEIGHT:

4-5 oz

LIFESPAN:

Up to 20 years in captivity

DIET:

Herbivores. Fleshy fruits, seeds, grains, begetables, berries & nuts.

PREDATORS:

Raptors, Snakes, Mammals

RANGE

Central Africa, India

HABITAT

Forests, gardens, farms, villages & cities.

CHARACTERISTICS

Unlike most parrots, the Ring-necked Parakeet can live in “disturbed” habitats near human settlements. Wild populations of parakeets can be found in Europe, North America and throughout Asia. These “wild” populations began with released or escaped pets. Parakeets are considered pests in many countries, since they eat orchard fruits.

REPRODUCTION

Breeding season varies based on where the population occurs. Parakeets nest in tree hollows, wall crevices or under eaves. These nests are lined with decayed wood. Clutches of 2-6 eggs are common, with an incubation period of 21-24 days.