Indian Ring Neck Parrot

Psittacula Krameri

Psittacula krameri, The Ringneck Parakeet, is also known as the Rose-Ringed Parakeet. There are four subspecies including:

P. krameri borealis, Boreal or Neumann's ringneck Parakeet originates in east Pakistan, northern India and Nepal to central Burma. P. krameri krameri, African-ringneck Parakeet originates in West Africa in Guinea, Senegal and southern Mauretania, east to Western Uganda, Eastern South Africa, and Southern Sudan. P. krameri parvirostris, Abyssinian-ringneck Parakeet originates in Northwest Somalia, west across northern Ethiopia to Sennar district, Sudan.

P. krameri manillensis, Indian-ringneck Parakeet originates from the southern Indian subcontinent; and has feral populations worldwide.

This article focuses on the unique characteristics of the Indian Ringneck parakeet.

The Indian Ringneck is a moderate sized bird averaging 14-16 inches long with almost half of their length in their tail feathers. Wild Indian Ringnecks are primarily green with a red beak topped off in black on the upper mandible. The Indian Ringneck is known for beautiful color mutations including l blue, white, and yellow.

At sexual maturity, approximately 2 years of age, the male birds of the species grow a black ring with pink and pale blue outer rings under their chin and upwards toward their cheeks. The females also grow rings but they are generally very pale and difficult to see.

Indian Ringneck Parakeets do not bond with a mate for life. The female lays two to six eggs one to two days apart. The eggs hatch between 22 and 24 days and the young are independent at about seven weeks.

Ringnecks that have unique color mutations can be quite expensive ranging in price all the way up to $1000. Standard Indian Ringnecks generally cost $100-$200 from a breeder or your local pet store.

The Indian Ringneck is an extremely social bird. In the wild they tend to form large flocks. In captivity they’ll bond well with most family members and with proper socialization and regular interaction they can become happy and compatible family members.

They’re typically noisy birds with active chatter and the ability to learn to speak large vocabularies and mimic a number of sounds. The males are known to be better ‘talkers’ than the females. They live approximately 25 years in captivity.

The Indian Ringneck is incredibly adaptable. They’ve been able to live in the wild quite successfully from the Florida coast up to the Midwest and eastern states. They’re banned in some locations due to the fact that they’re not native to the areas and they are thought to cause crop damage.

Indian Ringnecks are incredibly intelligent and must be kept active and engaged. When you’re not able to interact with them it is best to keep them in a large cage, preferably an aviary where they can fly and move about, with an abundance of toys for chewing, climbing, and puzzle toys to solve.

When you’re interacting with your Indian Ringneck trick training is an ideal way to pass the time. Training engages their problem solving skills, it broadens their vocabulary and it teaches them not only tricks but day to day routines that make living with an Indian Ringneck easier and more pleasant.