The Indian Ring-necked Parakeet is one of the most widely kept parrots in the world — and one of the most successful feral species in Hawaiʻi. The nominate subspecies (P. k. manillensis) from the Indian subcontinent is the form most commonly seen in aviculture; the slightly smaller African subspecies (P. k. krameri) also exists in captivity. Wild-type birds are vivid green with a long blue-tipped tail; males develop a distinctive rose-and-black neck ring at sexual maturity (typically 2–3 years), while females and immature males remain ring-free.

Ring-necked Parakeets are available in a spectacular array of color mutations — blue, yellow (lutino), albino, violet, turquoise, grey-green, cinnamon, and many combinations thereof. The mutation market for this species rivals that of the budgerigar in its diversity. Many of the birds kept in Hawaiʻi are mutations rather than wild-type green birds.

Personality: Ring-necked Parakeets have a reputation for being aloof or nippy that is largely a product of inadequate socialization rather than inherent temperament. A Ring-neck that has been properly handled from a young age and worked with consistently is a warm, engaging, and deeply entertaining companion. They are among the better talkers in the medium-parrot category — clear, contextual speech is common in well-socialized individuals — and they have a playful, sometimes mischievous personality that delights their owners. They can be independent and do not always demand constant attention, which makes them more compatible with busy households than some higher-maintenance species.

The bluffing phase — a period of hormonal nippiness that typically occurs in adolescence and may recur seasonally — is more pronounced in Ring-necks than in some other species. An owner who understands this phase, maintains consistent handling through it, and does not reinforce nipping by withdrawing will typically emerge with a much more settled and trusting bird. An owner who gives up during the bluff often ends up with a bird that has learned nipping works.

In Hawaiʻi: Ring-necked Parakeets have established large and thriving feral populations across all the major Hawaiian Islands — most famously the tens of thousands of birds on Kauaʻi, but significant flocks also exist on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. The feral birds are descendants of escaped and released pets from decades past and have proven remarkably adaptable to Hawaiʻi’s climate and food resources. See our Wild Parrots of Hawaiʻi page for detailed coverage of the feral populations by island.

The Alexandrine Parakeet is the largest species in the Psittacula genus — a big, powerfully built bird reaching up to 58 cm in length, with a massive beak relative to its size. It is predominantly green with a distinctive deep red shoulder patch (the maroon wing patch) and, in adult males, the characteristic rose-and-black neck ring of the genus. The long tail makes up a significant portion of overall length and is a vivid blue-green with yellow tips.

Named for Alexander the Great, who is said to have brought these birds back to Europe from the Punjab region during his Indian campaigns around 327 BC, the Alexandrine has one of the longest documented histories of any captive parrot. Five subspecies are recognized across a range stretching from Afghanistan and Pakistan through India, Sri Lanka, and into mainland Southeast Asia.

Personality: Alexandrines are bold, confident, and highly intelligent — with a personality that reflects their size. They are generally considered more assertive than Ring-necks and require a keeper who can provide firm, consistent handling and clear boundaries. They are excellent talkers — often developing clearer, more resonant speech than the smaller Ring-neck — and can become deeply affectionate with their bonded person. Their large beak is capable of significant force and should be respected; a well-trained Alexandrine that has learned beak manners is a wonderful companion, but this training cannot be skipped.

Alexandrines require a large cage — their tail length alone demands significantly more vertical space than a Ring-neck — and benefit from substantial out-of-cage time daily. Their size and beak strength also mean they can do considerable damage to wood, furniture, and cage fittings if given the opportunity. Enrichment and chew items must be provided in generous rotation. They are well represented in the HFFN community and are a favorite of members who want a larger, more imposing Psittacula without committing to a macaw.

The Derbyan Parakeet is one of the most striking and least commonly known Psittacula species in aviculture. A large parakeet — about 50 cm — with a remarkably distinctive color scheme: predominantly green body, a beautiful lilac-blue head, black chin and cheek stripe markings, and a purple-blue suffusion across the breast and abdomen. The long tail is blue with yellow-green tips. Males have a vivid red upper mandible; females are entirely black-billed — making this one of the few Psittacula species where sex can be reliably determined by beak color alone.

Native to the mountain forests of southwestern China (Sichuan, Yunnan), northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh), and the eastern Himalayas, the Derbyan is a high-altitude specialist — found at elevations of 1,000–4,000 meters in conifer and broadleaf forest. This altitude preference makes it somewhat more tolerant of cool temperatures than the tropical Psittacula species, though Hawaiʻi’s climate suits it well.

Personality: Derbyans are considered one of the more gentle and tractable large Psittacula species. They tend to be calmer than Alexandrines and less prone to the pronounced bluffing phase of Ring-necks, though individual variation is significant. They are good talkers — often developing clear, resonant vocabularies — and can be deeply affectionate with their bonded person. Their relative rarity in aviculture means that finding an experienced Derbyan breeder requires more effort than acquiring a Ring-neck or Alexandrine, but the wait is generally worth it for those drawn to this species.

The Derbyan is Vulnerable in the wild due to habitat loss and past trapping for the pet trade — all captive birds in the United States are required to be captive-bred. Ensure any Derbyan you acquire comes with clear captive-bred documentation.