About Alexandrine Parakeets
Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) are large parakeets widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia. With a total length of approximately 56–62 cm (including tail feathers), they are among the largest parakeets commonly kept in Japan. According to legend, the species is named after Alexander the Great, who is said to have brought them back westward from his conquered territories.
Appearance and Characteristics
Adult males are distinctive with a rose-pink neck ring (around the head and cheeks) and a black chin stripe. Females lack or have only a very faint neck ring, making this a sexually dimorphic species with easily identifiable sex differences by appearance. Their base body color is a vibrant green with maroon (dark reddish-brown) spots (wing patches) on the shoulder portion of the wings, and the tips of the tail feathers range from pale yellow-green to yellow.
Personality
Alexandrine parakeets are highly intelligent and readily learn words, phrases, and environmental sounds with proper training. They generally have strong independent personalities and display the confident demeanor typical of large parakeets. Hand-raised chicks develop deep bonds with humans, but hormonal changes during adolescence (around 2–4 years of age) can intensify biting behaviors. How you handle this period is key to building a long-term relationship.
Required Cage and Environment
Because Alexandrine parakeets are large, adequate living space proportionate to their size is essential.
Recommended Cage Size
- Minimum size: 90 cm wide × 60 cm deep × 120 cm tall
- Recommended size: 120 cm wide × 80 cm deep × 150 cm tall or larger
- Bar spacing: approximately 3–3.5 cm (beak strength is considerable, so bar thickness and durability are important factors)
Large parakeets have extremely powerful beaks, making plastic and thin metal cages vulnerable to damage and escape. Choose sturdy cages made of stainless steel or featuring powder coating.
Perches
Natural wood perches (eucalyptus or hardwood) with larger diameters (3–5 cm) are appropriate. Because Alexandrine parakeets enjoy chewing, select perches that can be replaced regularly as consumables.
Placement
A living area where the bird can sense the family's presence is ideal, but place the cage away from direct air conditioning drafts, direct sunlight near windows, and kitchen smoke. Additionally, toxic fumes (PTFE) from non-stick cookware are fatal to birds, so careful selection of cooking utensils is essential.
Diet Management
Ideal Diet Composition
| Food | Percentage | Examples |
|---|
| Pellets | 50–60% | Harrison's Adult Lifetime Coarse, ZuPreem Natural Large, etc. |
| Fresh vegetables and fruits | 30–40% | Komatsuna, bok choy, bell peppers, apples, blueberries, pomegranate |
| Seeds and nuts (treats) | 10–15% | Walnuts and almonds in small amounts only (high fat content; do not exceed) |
Foods to Avoid
- Avocado (cardiac toxicity from persin)
- Chocolate and cacao (theobromine toxicity)
- Onions and garlic (cause hemolytic anemia)
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)
- Fruit seeds (especially apple, peach, and apricot contain cyanogenic glycosides)
Practical Feeding Tips
Alexandrine parakeets have a habit of grasping and eating food with their feet (foot feeding). Choose food dishes with shapes and depths that the bird can easily grab and hold. Replace all food with fresh items each morning, and remove any leftover fruits and vegetables within a few hours to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth.
Taming and Training
Hand-Raising from Chicks
Hand-raising from 3–4 weeks post-hatching using hand-feeding is the most effective way to achieve a hand-tame bird. Use formula warmed to 40–42°C, feeding until the crop is full. Gradually reduce feeding frequency from 4–5 times daily (at 3–4 weeks old) and transition to self-feeding around 7–8 weeks of age.
Addressing Biting Behaviors During Adolescence
Alexandrine parakeets may develop increased aggression and biting behaviors during adolescence (ages 2–4) due to hormonal changes. Here are strategies to address this period:
- Target training: Use a stick (target stick) to maintain communication without directly using your hands
- Timeout method: Quietly return the bird to the cage immediately after it bites, without raising your voice (avoid excitement)
- Positive reinforcement: Strengthen good behaviors with preferred foods
Out-of-Cage Time and Socialization
Out-of-cage time of 1–2 hours daily is recommended. Thoroughly ensure room safety by removing hazards (bay windows, doors, ceiling fans, etc.). Have all family members interact with the bird consistently to prevent one-person bonding.
Health Management
Regular Health Check-ups
Annual or bi-annual check-ups at an avian veterinary clinic (equipped for exotic animals) are strongly recommended. Weight measurement, fecal examination, and blood work (especially in senior years) are fundamental.
Diseases to Watch For
| Symptoms | Possible Condition | Action |
|---|
| Feather malformation, excessive feather plucking | PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease), feather cysts | Consult avian veterinarian |
| Open-mouth breathing, tail bobbing | Aspergillosis, bacterial pneumonia | Emergency visit |
| Weight loss, loss of appetite | Gastrointestinal disease, tumors, infections | Veterinary visit |
| Nasal discharge, sneezing | Upper respiratory infection (Chlamydia, etc.) | Veterinary visit |
| Excessive breeding behaviors (males: regurgitation; females: nesting behaviors) | Overbreeding | Photoperiod management, environmental changes |
Daily Health Check
- Weight (measure and record weekly with a digital scale)
- Fecal form, color, and volume (check for diarrhea, excessive urination, undigested food)
- Condition of beak, feet, and feathers
- Activity level and appetite
Breeding Basics
Basic information for breeders interested in breeding Alexandrine parakeets.
Sexual Maturity and Breeding Age
Females reach breeding age at 2–3 years, males at 3–4 years. Breeding individuals that are too young (females 1.5 years or younger) places excessive strain on the body and is not recommended.
Nesting Box Setup
- Recommended size: 35 cm wide × 35 cm deep × 60–70 cm tall (vertical orientation)
- Entrance hole diameter: 10–12 cm
- Nesting material: Appropriate amounts of pine shavings and corn husk fiber
Breeding Cycle
Clutch size is typically 3–4 eggs, with an incubation period of approximately 28 days. Chicks fledge about 7–8 weeks after hatching. For hand-rearing, begin hand-feeding from 2–3 weeks post-hatching.
Summary
Alexandrine parakeets are among the largest parakeets you can keep in Japan, and their dignified appearance and high intelligence are major attractions. Proper care requires large cages, a pellet-focused diet, annual or bi-annual health check-ups, and daily out-of-cage time as fundamental management practices. With proper training to overcome adolescent biting behaviors, these birds can become ideal companions for 25–30 years or more of long life together.
