Psittacula roseata Biswas, 1951

Taxonomy and Common Name

Psittacula roseata Biswas, 1951, commonly called the blossom-headed parakeet, is a lime-green parrot measuring 30 cm (12 in) in total length, with a tail that can reach up to 18 cm (7.1 in).

Adult Weight

Adults have an average weight of 85–90 g (2.9–3.1 oz).

Male Head Coloration

Male individuals have pink heads, cheeks, and ear coverts, which fade to pale blue toward the back of the crown and nape.

Male Markings

Males also have a narrow black neck collar, a black chin stripe, and a reddish brown shoulder spot on the inner middle wing coverts.

Male Tail Features

Their long central tail feathers are blue, tipped with pale yellow, while their side tail feathers are yellow-green and also tipped with pale yellow.

Male Bill and Eye Features

Males have an orange-yellow upper mandible, dark grey lower mandible, and pale yellow eyes.

Female Plumage Differences

Females differ from males in several traits: they have a pale blue-grey head, a yellow-green neck collar in place of the black one found on males, a smaller red shoulder spot, and a yellow upper mandible; the female's lower mandible remains dark grey, matching that of the male.

Subspecies Traits

One recognized subspecies, P. r. juneae, is overall similar to the nominate subspecies P. r. roseata, but has more yellowish plumage, a larger red wing patch, paler central tail feathers, and yellower side tail feathers.

Immature Bird Traits

Immature and juvenile birds have a green head, grey chin, yellowish mandibles on both sides of the bill, and no red shoulder patch.

Juvenile Eye Features

Juveniles specifically have grey eyes.

Similar Species Distinction

This species can be distinguished from the closely related similar-looking plum-headed parakeet by its distinct head color and pale yellow tail tip.

Migratory Status

The blossom-headed parakeet is a non-migratory resident breeder found across Southeast Asia.

Native Range

Its native range extends from eastern Bangladesh, Bhutan, northeastern India, and Nepal, eastward into Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of China.

Altitudinal Range

This species lives year-round within its resident range, and inhabits open lowland and foothill forests, occurring at altitudes up to around 1500 m.

General Habitat

It is most often found in open, light forest habitats including savannas, secondary growth forests, forest edges, clearings, and cultivated areas.

Thailand Habitat Specifics

Within Thailand, it is common in cultivated land and on forest outskirts.

Nesting and Reproduction

For behaviour and ecology, the blossom-headed parakeet nests in tree holes, where it lays a clutch of 4 to 5 white eggs.

Food and Movements

It makes small local movements that are driven primarily by the availability of its main food sources: fruit and blossoms.

Social Behaviour

It is typically seen in small flocks or family groups, and often associates with moustached parakeets.

Vocalizations

The species produces a range of raucous calls; flocks can be gregarious and noisy, but individuals may also produce soft, melodic calls similar to those of the plum-headed parakeet.