Alternative Name: Mauritius Parakeet
- Psittacula eques
Includes: Reunion Parakeet
Identification
36 cm. Green. Male has bright red bill. Female has dark bill and is generally darker overall. Legs blue-grey.
Similar species
Rose-ringed Parakeet is usually paler green with yellowish hues when worn, has a longer tail with brighter undertail coverts, and legs are more variable in color.
Distribution
Mauritius Island; population has increase from a low of about 12 birds to almost 300, but the species is still limited to an extremely small area in one particular national park.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies now recognized:
- P. e. eques formerly on Reunion Island Island, extinct
- P. e. echo in the montane forests of Mauritius Island (on verge of extinction)
Has been included in Rose-ringed Parakeet.
Habitat
Upland forest and scrub.
Behaviour
Diet includes native plants.
It nests in natural cavities in native trees.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Hume (2007) (only the abstract available for free).
- Birdforum thread discussing identification of Echo Parakeet.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Echo Parakeet. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Echo_Parakeet
