Wildlifeof China
Slaty-headed Parakeet
Parrots
Photo: (c) Jagdish Singh Negi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Psittacula himalayana
Basic stats
Diet
Fruits (wild and cultivated), nuts, pine nuts, seeds, nectar and acorns
Range
Pakistan, the western Himalayas of India, Nepal and Bhutan, to Arunachal Pradesh
Clutch size
4–5 eggs
Incubation period
About 23–24 days
The slaty-headed parakeet is the only parrot known to migrate altitudinally. It has a dark grey (slate-coloured) head with a light blue tint where the head meets the neck. Males have long central tail feathers, shorter in females, and the tail is green at the base becoming deep blue and widely tipped with bright yellow. Its range extends from Pakistan through the western Himalayas of India, Nepal and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is usually seen in small flocks or family groups searching for fruits, nuts, pine nuts, seeds, nectar and acorns. Females usually lay four or five eggs of about 28.5 × 22mm, incubated for about 23–24 days, and typical lifespan is 15–17 years. The source does not describe its status in China (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Slaty-headed Parakeet eat?
- Fruits (wild and cultivated), nuts, pine nuts, seeds, nectar and acorns
- Where is the Slaty-headed Parakeet found?
- Pakistan, the western Himalayas of India, Nepal and Bhutan, to Arunachal Pradesh
- How many eggs does the Slaty-headed Parakeet lay?
- 4–5 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Slaty-headed Parakeet incubated?
- About 23–24 days