Home

/

Bird species

/

Alexandrine Parakeet

Alexandrine Parakeet

Origin

South East Asia

Size

Medium Breed

Ideal Weather

15º-29ºC

Avg Monthly Expenses

₹2,500

Basic Lifestyle

₹3,500

Premium Lifestyle

Top 5 Traits

Intelligent

Social

Friendly

Playful

Affectionate

An Alexandrine parakeet with green plumage a red beak and a pink and black neck ring
written by image

by Happy Pet TeamUpdated on 22 Sept 2025

Introduction to Alexandrine Parakeets

Alexandrine the Parakeets also known as Alexandrine parrots are one of the largest parakeets in the world. They have stunning green plumage with a long tail and distinct red patches on their wings.

These birds are originally from South and Southeast Asia and are also called Psittacula eupatria. They are found in India, Sri Lanka to Thailand and Cambodia with a rich history. They are in fact named after Alexander the Great who is believed to have introduced these species of Patrakeets from Europe and the Mediterranean region 200 years ago.

These birds are playful, affectionate and intelligent in nature. These can make great pet birds.

Lifespan of Alexandrine Parakeets

With proper diet and care, Alexandrine Parakeets can live 25–30 years, and some have been known to reach up to 40 years in captivity. However, in the wild environment their lifespan can be shortened due to the predators and challenging environment.

Physical Characteristics of Alexandrine Parakeets

  1. Alexadrine Parakeets usually grow up to 22–24 inches (56–62 cm), including their long tail.
  2. A fully grown bird weighs up to 200 to 300 grams in weight.
  3. They have a bright green body, maroon/red patches on their wings.
  4. They have large, strong and red colored beak.
  5. Male birds have a black & rose ring around their neck, but females usually lack this.
  6. They are long and tapering tails with blue and yellow shades.

Temperament of Alexandrine Parakeets

  1. They develop a bond deeply with their owners.
  2. They are affectionate and loyal in nature.
  3. They are quite intelligent as they are quick learners, great at mimicry and learn words or phrases.
  4. Sometimes they can be stubborn.
  5. They are moderately vocal.

Characteristics

Affection

Not Friendly

Super Friendly

Vocalization

Silent

Vocal

Intelligence

Low

High

Social Behavior

Prefer Isolation

Very Social

about image

Nutrition Guidelines for Alexandrine Parakeets

Monthly Food Expenses

₹1,500 - ₹ 2,000

Ideal weight

200 - 250 grams

Essential Nutrients

Protein

Carbohydrates

Fats

Vitamins

Minerals

List of foods

Seeds

Nuts

Fruits

Vegetables

Pellets

Leafy Greens

Sprouts

Alexandrine Parakeets require a balanced diet that contains proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats. Here is what you should focus on while designing a diet for your bird.

  1. Protein-rich food helps in muscle development and growth.
  2. Fats are used in a balanced fashion that helps in providing energy and lustrous feathers.
  3. Nutrients that support immunity, bone development and joint health.

Best food to feed your Alexandrine Parakeets

Here are some of the best food items that you can feed your Alexandrine Parakeet birds-

  1. Include seeds and pellets as the base food.
  2. Include vegetables like bell peppers, carrots and leafy greens in their diet.
  3. You can also feed them fruits like apples, strawberries, papaya, mangoes and cherries.
  4. Keeping them hydrated is equally important. Provide clean water in adequate amounts.

Foods that are harmful to Alexandrine Parakeets

Avoid anything with these ingredients

Avocado

Chocolate

Caffeine

Alcohol

Onions

Garlic

Dairy products

Just like how you got an idea of what all the food items should be fed to your pet bird. It is also essential to know what food items can cause harm to your pet. Here is a list of those food items that should be avoided-

  1. Avoid food items that have a high amount of fat, which leads to obesity.
  2. You should not feed them foods like chocolates, avocado, alcohol, caffeine, onion and garlic that can cause serious issues to their digestive system.
  3. Do not feed them food that contains high amounts of salt. This can cause serious damage to their kidneys and cause dehydration.
  4. Meat can have bacteria and can cause infections in birds.
  5. Dairy products should be avoided as birds do not have the enzymes that can digest lactose.
  6. Avoid Xylitol, which is a sugar substitute, as this is toxic for birds.
about image

Healthcare Guide for Alexandrine Parakeets

Avg Monthly Expenses

₹1,000 - ₹1,500

Recognising Stress

Feather Plucking

Tail Bobbing

Excessive Vocalization

Aggression

Withdrawal or Hiding

Loss of Appetite

Repetitive Movements

Common Health Issues

Psittacosis

Respiratory Infections

Fatty liver disease

Feather Plucking

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)

Aspergillosis

Nutritional Deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin A deficiency)

Energy Level

Medium

Preventative measure

Physical checkup every 6-12 months

Annual Blood Work

Beak Assessment

Nail Trimming

Feather Assessment

Environmental Enrichment

Physical Stimulation

Mental Stimulation

Common Health Issues Found in Alexandrine Parakeets

  1. Psittacosis (Parrot Fever) is a bacterial infection that requires vet treatment.
  2. Beak overgrowth is a common condition if not provided with chew toys and cuttlebones.
  3. Stress and boredom often results in feather plucking in Prakeets.
  4. If their diet isn’t managed properly they can become obese leading to other health conditions.

General Health Care Tips

  1. Schedule yearly vet visits with an avian specialist to detect any health conditions are the early stages.
  2. Provide regular bath and misting for the feather care.
  3. Encourage them to play and provide enough pace for them to play around to keep them active and healthy.

Prerequisites to pet a Alexandrine Parakeet

Time Commitment.

Living Space.

Stress-free Environment.

Enrichment Activities.

Ideal Habitat for Alexandrine Parakeets

Initial Setup Cost

₹3,000 - ₹ 3,500

Monthly Expenses

₹1,500 - ₹ 2,000

Essential Equipment

Bird Cage

Perches

Food/ water dishes

Toys and Enrichment

Cuttle Bone

Cage Cleaning Brush

Bird Bath

Compatible mates

Lutino Alexandrine.

Blue Alexandrine.

Grey Alexandrine.

Albino Alexandrine.

  1. Their cage size should be at least 36” x 24” x 48” with ¾–1 inch bar spacing.
  2. Provide natural wood perches of varying thickness.
  3. Parakeets enjoy playing with chewable toys, puzzle feeders and small swings.
  4. They need 3 to 4 hours of daily exercise and binding time.
  5. Keep the cage in a bright area for them to thrive.
written by image

Written by

Happy Pet Team

Author

Team Happy Pet is a passionate collective of pet experts, enthusiasts, and advocates dedicated to sharing trusted and insightful content.

Our cont
 

Compare with similar breeds

Close up of a grey African Grey Parrot with a black beak and yellow eyes

African Grey Parrot

Compare
A brightly colored Conure parrot with orange head and yellow body looks left

Conure

Compare
A vibrant Rainbow Lorikeet with a blue head and orange beak stares directly at the viewer

Rainbow Lorikeet

Compare

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Alexandrine Parakeets talk?

Yes, they’re good mimics and can develop an impressive vocabulary with training.

How long do Alexandrine Parakeets live?

On average, 25–30 years, sometimes even up to 40.

Are Alexandrine Parakeets noisy?

They are moderately noisy—less than macaws but louder than budgies.

Do they make good family pets?

Yes, if socialized early. They are affectionate but need consistent interaction.

Can Alexandrine Parakeets be kept in pairs?

Yes, but they may bond more with each other than with humans if not trained properly.