5 stunning Indian parrot species still found in the wild

India is home to some of the world's most beautiful and colourful parrot species in the world, with 12 different types of parrots found across the subcontinent. While the most familiar green ones are often spotted painting the skies in groups during the mornings and evenings.


Yet, there are several other stunning Indian parrot species that are uncommon and hardly known to us. These unique creatures are not just a sight to behold, but also incredibly intelligent, social creatures that can copy human speech.

Here are some of the most stunning Indian parrot species found in the wild

The Alexandrine parakeet is India's largest parakeet, which grows up to 62 cm from head to tail and weighs 200–300 grams. This beautiful bird is mostly covered in green feathers with a light blue-grey sheen on its cheeks and nape. What adds to its beauty is a yellow-green abdomen, red shoulder patches, and a massive, bright red beak with yellow tips.

Male Alexandrine parakeets are easily identified by their rose-coloured nape and black stripe across the lower cheeks, while females lack both features.

The Rose-ringed parakeet is one of India's most widely found and adaptable parrot species, found across the country in cities and often forms nests across trees in the parks or areas of greenery. This green-bodied bird has a visible black ring and rose-coloured collar in males, while females lack the ring entirely.

These parakeets are highly vocal and can easily copy sounds and human speech.

The Plum-headed parakeet is a brilliantly coloured species found in the northern and central parts of India. Male birds are easily identified by their beautiful purple-red coloured head and neck that contrasts with their green body, while females have a more regular and less colourful green appearance.

Unlike the more widely found parrot species, Plum-headed parakeets are more likely to be spotted in forested habitats where they can thrive undisturbed.

The Blossom-headed parakeet is a stunning species restricted to eastern India, particularly Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. This parakeet is similar to the Plum-headed parakeet but has a more distinct rose-coloured head in males, with a green body and subtle pinkish hue on the chest.

The Malabar parakeet, or the Blue-winged Parakeet, is mostly found across the Malabar Coast of southwestern India, particularly Kerala and parts of Karnataka. This species has a green body with a visible bluish-grey head that contrasts beautifully with its green body.

Male Malabar parakeets have a dark black stripe or "moustache" running from the beak down the side of the face, while females are clean.