Echo Parakeet |
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Also known as: Mauritius Parakeet
Did You Know?
The Echo Parakeet differs from most Asian and African parakeets by being bright emerald green rather than olive green.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Psittacula equesSpecies Profile
Genus: Psittacula | Species: eques
Size:
42cm (16.4 in)
Weight:
167-193g (5.8-6.7 oz)
Races including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Male-color generally emerald to grass green, with yellowish underparts and underwings. Black thin line from cere to eyes, broad moustache-like stripes on lower cheeks and chin out to sides of neck, and narrow black neck-stripes bordered by blue patches over ears and neck and below by pink lines going to hindneck. Upper beak red, lower black. Eye pale yellow. Female-plainer with all black beak, no head markings; shorter tail.
Colour Juvenile:
As in adult female, but tail short; bill coral/pink in very young individuals.
Call:
Low call cha-chaachaa at a rate of two notes/second interspersed with harsher notes. High pitched call when excited or in flight. Bark in alarm. Also melodious purring or whistling.
Listen NowVideo Links:
Video 1More Information:
Avibase
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
Handbook of the Birds of the World
Content Sources:
CITES
Arkive
BirdLife International
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
ML Media Collection Catalogue 167696 Echo Parakeet Psittacula echo, Erickson, Jon, Mauritius, June 4 2010, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Site
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989.
Vanished and Vanishing Parrots, Forshaw, 2017.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
V. Tatayah in litt. 2012.
Carl Jones in litt. 2005.
Did You Know?
The Echo Parakeet differs from most Asian and African parakeets by being bright emerald green rather than olive green.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Psittacula equesSpecies Care
Captive Status:
Some captive breeding (hand-rearing) for re-introduction in the wild; otherwise not raised in captivity.
Longevity:
Not recorded.
Housing:
Gerald Durrell Endangered Wildlife Sanctuary (GDEWS).
Diet:
Birds at Plaine Lievre (field station used by Mauritian Wildlife Foundation in Black River Gorges Nat'l Park) are supplemented with pelleted food.
Enrichment:
Provided with local foods and browse.
Nest Box Size:
Next hollows at least 50cm (19.5 in) deep and 20cm (7.8 in) wide.
Clutch Size:
1-4 eggs
Incubation Time:
21-25 days
Fledging Age:
8-9 weeks
Hatch Weight:
8.5g (0.2 oz)
Peak Weight:
150g (5.25 oz)
Weaning Weight:
130-160g (4.55-5.6 oz)
Did You Know?
The Echo Parakeet differs from most Asian and African parakeets by being bright emerald green rather than olive green.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Psittacula equesSpecies Wild Status
World Population:
650-700 (Carl Jones, in litt.)
IUCN Red List Status:
Endangered
CITES Listing:
Appendix I
Threat Summary:
Severe deforestation and degradation of habitat, as well as introduced rats and crab-eating macaques, and the effects of disease and storms.
Range:
Found on Mauritius, formerly on Reunion.
Habitat:
Upland forest, lower-level scrub forest.
Wild Diet:
Relies solely on native plants; introduced plants not taken. Buds, young shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, twigs, sap and bark.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Thought to favour communal roosting. Relies solely on native foods. Generally solitary or in pairs during breeding season.
Clutch and Egg Size:
2-3 eggs, 33.0 x 26.0mm (1.3 x 1 in).
Breeding Season:
Late September to early October start.
Related Links:
Did You Know?
The Echo Parakeet differs from most Asian and African parakeets by being bright emerald green rather than olive green.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Psittacula equesMembers Only Resources
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