Indian Ringneck

Psittacula krameri · Psittaculidae

Dimorphic, long-lived, and the most colour-varied parakeet in captivity.

Native range: Indian subcontinent and Africa

Length: 40–43 cm including tail
Weight: 115–140 g
Lifespan: 25–35 years
Maturity: 2–3 years (cock ring at 3)
Incubation: 23 days
Clutch: 3–5 eggs
Ring size: 7.0 mm
Fledge: 48–52 days
Weaned: 10–12 weeks
CITES: Appendix NC
IUCN: LC
Taxonomic family: Psittaculidae

Diet

Larger parrot pellet with sprouted pulses, greens and limited fruit. They handle a higher protein load than most parakeets during breeding.

Housing

250 × 100 × 180 cm minimum; a 4 m flight is appropriate. Bar spacing 19–22 mm. They chew, so timber frames need protecting.

Temperament

Territorial and often aggressive toward other species. Cocks become assertive at maturity. Single-species housing.

Breeding

Early breeders, often laying in mid-winter in the northern hemisphere. Provide a deep box and expect the hen to defend it hard.

Established mutations

Lutino (sex-linked)

Cinnamon (sex-linked)

Blue (recessive)

Turquoise (recessive)

Grey (dominant)

Violet (dominant)

Watch for

–Aggression at maturity, particularly cocks

–Feather destruction under stress

–Aspergillosis in poorly ventilated housing

–Winter breeding attempts in cold climates

Cocks do not show the neck ring until their third year, so a ringless adult bird is not necessarily a hen. DNA sexing is the only reliable method before then.

Sources

Run a pairing for this species Work out hatch dates Check the ring size

All twelve at a glance

Jump to another species

Species	Incubation	Ring	Clutch	Lifespan
CockatielNymphicus hollandicus	19 d	5.5 mm	4–6	15–25 years
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatus	18 d	4.0 mm	4–6	6–12 years
Peach-faced LovebirdAgapornis roseicollis	23 d	4.5 mm	4–6	10–15 years
Green-cheeked ConurePyrrhura molinae	24 d	5.5 mm	4–6	20–30 years
Indian RingneckPsittacula krameri	23 d	7.0 mm	3–5	25–35 years
Gouldian FinchChloebia gouldiae	14 d	Not recorded	4–8	5–8 years
Quaker / Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachus	24 d	6.0 mm	4–6	20–30 years
Bourke's ParakeetNeopsephotus bourkii	18 d	4.0 mm	3–6	10–15 years
EclectusEclectus roratus	28 d	Not recorded	2	30–50 years
Sun ConureAratinga solstitialis	25 d	7.0 mm	3–5	20–30 years
African GreyPsittacus erithacus	28 d	11.0 mm	2–4	40–60 years
Blue & Gold MacawAra ararauna	27 d	14.0 mm	2–3	50–70 years

All 94 species, with the dates scheduled against your own birds.

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