My Encounter with the Rose Ringed Parakeets

They are most commonly seen as parakeets in many places in India, especially in a few crowded cities in South India. I have seen them flying high in groups squawking loudly from tall trees to some yonder. I have not seen them in close or on the ground level until I moved to this area. For the initial 2 years, I had spotted them on some trees relishing some mangoes or berries in our backyard, especially in summer. It was only after they discovered the cereal grains tray in our garden, that they stopped by quite often. In the beginning, they used to panic at any sound of the door or window opening or if any of us enter the garden. They immediately squawk and fly off after spotting us. Slowly, one by one came down to the garden to feed on the grains which are also shared with other birds.

 Initially, they were annoyed by the presence of other birds or squirrels approaching the tray while they are feeding. They take one nibble at the food for a minute or two and feast in a causal way. They think they are ‘Bosses’ and deserve Royal treatment. While they are feeding, they make sure no other species approaches the tray or approaches them. Laughing doves and other birds wait patiently on the construction Columns until parakeets finish their turn. But sometimes they take too long up to half an hour to complete their feed. Sometimes squirrels become daredevils and play chase and catch around these species. When irked, this parakeet snaps at a squirrel and keeps it at bay. Most of the time male parakeets are a bit impatient. For this reason, I call them ‘Green Bosses’. Females have more patience than males. During the waiting time. They perch on the construction rods or wires and perform some gymnastic skills of turning around and hanging on to their beak or on one leg which is an interesting phenomenon to watch. Sometimes they come down in pairs or in a group creating a racket while feeding. Once, I have seen up to 30 parakeets feeding on one tray not allowing any other species to approach the tray in their presence for nearly half an hour. At times, they used to pick up quarrels with Common Mynas or Yellow-Billed Babblers during the feeding session resulting in a big commotion. I wondered if one species can understand the language of the other species, especially during these squabbles.

 As time went by, these parakeets adapted themselves to this environment and to the other birds. The squabbles have decreased, and they have a gentle conversion amongst themselves, perhaps gossiping, while feeding in a group. Occasionally, a juvenile parakeet with a stubbed tail would fly down to seek attention from the adults. One of the adults would feed grains into its beak though it is big and healthy enough to feed itself.

During one season, as the squabbles came to an end, the Parakeets went hand in glove with the Common Mynas, Red-whiskered Bulbul, and the Red-vented Bulbul upon relishing ripened fruits in the garden. Once I happened to watch Two mynas spot and relish a medium-sized ripened papaya on a tree at a height of 7ft from the ground. Two Parakeets and a few Bulbuls waited patiently for their turn. Once their turn was over. Parakeets took over the position of the fruit and began to relish it even going topsy turvy. Meanwhile, the Bulbuls were eating some scraps of the fruit fallen on the ground. Usually, they take about 2-3 days to complete one feeding of papaya fruit.