Animal-World > Birds > Parakeet: Types of Parakeets > Indian Ringneck Parakeet

Indian Ringneck ParakeetsNoble Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet

Family: Psittacidae

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Blue Cinnamon Male RingneckPsittacula krameri manillensisPhoto Courtesy Jerome Ventress

     The Indian Ringneck Parakeet has been referred to as the "Noble Parakeet"! The species, Psittacula krameri, is also called the Rose-ringed Parakeet and contains four subspecies.

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Scientific name: Psittacula krameri manillensis

Distribution:      The Rose-ringed Parakeet, which includes the Indian Ringneck and the African Ringneck subspecies, is the most widely scattered member of the race of parrots and is spread throughout Asia and parts of Africa. They are found in India, China, Ceylon, Africa, Tibet, Nepal and many adjacent islands.      The Indian Ringneck Parakeet originated in Ceylon. The African Ringneck Parakeet, its close cousin, is found from west Africa to the Southern Sudan.

Description:      Indian Ringneck Parakeets, along with their close cousin the African Ringneck Parakeets, Psittacula krameri krameri, belong in the Psittacula genus that are known as Ringneck Parakeets. The species, Psittacula krameri, is also called the Rose-ringed Parakeet and contains four subspecies. The Psittacula genus has the distinguishing characteristic of a colored collar going around the head in the males, or a pronounced stripe running through the chin area.      The normal coloration of the male Indian Ringneck Parakeet is a general green with its lower abdomen area being lighter and the back of the head has a bluish tint. A black ring that runs thought the chin and along the cheek. There it blends into a pink collar with some blue on the nape. The central tail feathers are bluish, tipped with a yellow green, and the outer tail feathers are green. The upper mandible of the beak is a red-orange and the lower mandible is black. Through domestic breeding, there is a large variety of color variations, or mutations available.    The female and immature male has no black ring, pink collar, or blue tint on the back of the head. Juveniles also have a coral pink beak with a pale tip. The young reach their adult plumage after their second full molt, at about 3 years of age. These birds grow to a length of 16" (40 cm).      The African Ringneck Parakeet is very similar in coloration to the Indian Ringneck but the facial coloring and the rose collar is less prominent on the African males. They also have a smaller beak, with the upper mandible being a dark red becoming almost black on the tip. Though the African Ringneck has a smaller, shorter body than the Indian Ringneck they have a longer tail, so overall they reach up to a length of 17" (43.5 cm).

Care and Feeding:      Fresh food and water must be provided daily.      In the wild, Indian Ringneck Parakeets eat a variety of seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, blossoms, and nectar. In addition to these foods, you can offer them vegetables and commercial pellets. They also enjoy the same nutritional foods humans eat, including cooked chicken. Cooked beans, rice, and grains are also enjoyed, but soft foods like these will spoil in about 4 hours. An occasional millet spray is a nice treat. See About Parakeets: Care and Feeding for more detailed information.

Housing:      A a roomy cage is required as these are large parakeets. See About Parakeets: Housing for more extensive housing information.

Maintenance:      The basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should wash all the perches and dirty toys, and the floor should be washed about every other week. A total hosing down and disinfecting of an aviary should be done yearly, replacing anything that needs to be freshened, such as old dishes, toys and perches.

Social Behaviors:      In the wild, these birds live in flocks and are very social. They have a pleasant nature but will develop a screaming habit if teased.

Handling/Training:      The Indian Ringneck Parakeet is smart! Besides learning to talk, these parakeets are known to be great at learning tricks. Some have been taught to string beads on a rope, twirl sticks about their head, ring a bell, and pick up selected objects. See About Parakeets: Handling and Training for detailed information.     

Activities:      Parakeets are very energetic birds! Besides flying, which is important for all parakeets, these birds love to chew! Be sure you provide them with lots of assorted toys and wood chews, perches and swings.

Breeding/Reproduction:      Unlike many parakeets, Ringneck Parakeets do not bond with a mate for life, but they are easily bred. Each pair will need two nesting boxes to choose from. Once the nest box is selected the female will lay two to six eggs. The incubation time is between 22 and 24 days and the young will leave the nest about six to seven weeks after they hatch. See About Parakeets: Breeding and Reproduction for more information.

Potential Problems:      These parakeets can have a loud scream. See About Parakeets: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability:      Indian Ringneck Parakeets are available at pet stores or from breeders at reasonable prices. They can be obtained in a variety of color mutations, including the Indian Ringneck Lutino.

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Hey, I have a young ring neck. About a month ago he got quiet and I noticed that he was sick. It cost some money to get help for him. Well, he is 2years old just coming into puberty. He got a sore on his, I'll say his bum bum. He stayed out a lot for exersize and he had a stuffed monky that he loved to play with. Well short story, he rubbed that monkey the wrong way and hurt him self. I took the monkey away, but I am the main attraction now. It took antibiotics and inflamation meds to clear his condition. I didn't know things like this could happen. My birds name is Fred. He talks just about all the time, I taught him everything he says, and he loves fresh fruit and veggies. He also loves people food. That is important for him, and he loves to ride around on my shoulder. Thanks, Necia arnecia russell 2009-10-24
Hi I have a two year old green parrot who spends the first two hours of every day frightened out of his wits. He shows his wings and sometimes pin points his eyes. He is so frightened that you can see his chest fluttering. Picking him up stops the problem until he is placed back on his tree perch. We cannot hear any machinery or other constant noise at all. Any suggestions to help him... Neale 2009-10-04
Hello, 28 years ago my niece bought me a green ring neck baby for my birthday. When I retired, I moved to Florida and PJ moved with me. However, PJ passed away a few months ago. He was the love of my life and I miss him very much. PJ rarely was in a cage and always wanted to be on my shoulder. PJ talked a storm and also sang and whistled. I sure miss his morning "hello", and his singing version of "row row row your boat". Last week by accident I found a local bird rescue and low and behold I found a blue male, not a baby, but young. Hopefully, I will gain his trust and again have a wonderful friend by my side. bob schaffer 2009-07-27
We have a 12 yr. old blue Indian Ringneck. His name is KOKO. We got him from a breeder in Las Vegas at 51/2 weeks old. At one time we counted more than 90 words that he put in short phrases, as my wife talked to him all day, while I was at work. Lately, he does not say some of the early phrases. Now, he acts and sounds like he has laryngitis. He loves to ride on my shoulder, even when we are driving our motorhome, but is scared of steel girder bridges. It must be the shadows. He is also scared of new toys, but is not afraid of dogs. Go figure ollie 2009-06-01
Hi. My daughter Bianca is now 11 years, we bought her first bird, a green ring neck about two years ago a baby with few feathers on her. We all love that bird so much. She does not live in a cage, my husband made a big x-stick with stairs from the top to the bottom! For the first few months, just my daughter and I could handle her, she hated my husband and son. But with much attention and talk she loves them both, now! She goes as she pleases, and even our rottweiler dogs keep away from her, she bites their noses! In the winter, she would come in the evening and sleep inside my jacket! We give her various kinds of fresh fruits, but no avocado or bananas. She gets also dried fruit and all sorts of seeds, she loves that. She also loves to shower with us! Anita - South Africa Anita 2009-05-20
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Hi there, I have a blue Indian Ringneck. Nearly two years old now. Indigo was hand raised, very tame at first. After a couple of months he/she became wild and very scared especially of me and any hands. He acted as if he was abused. I kept on giving attention and was very careful when handling him to avoid touching too much. He was okay getting off from his cage onto my shoulder (as long as I kept my hands away). After about 4 months things slowly started to change. Still getting better. Indigo is now tame, talks heaps, loves me lots and doesn't bite me anymore. He has a lovely personality. Cheers Priscilla 2009-06-27
We have a large flock of green ring necked parakeets which fly over our house in West London, UK. There is currently around 2000-4000 living in large flocks in SE England and it is a joy to see them fly overhead. You can certainly hear them squark! It is rumoured that they have bred from escaped pets from the Victorian era, and have been seen as far back as the 1800's. I am doing some research on their origins and distribution when I came across your website. Lovely pictures and descriptions, but I suggest that you add Northern Europe esp England to their distribution details, unlikely as it may seem! Kate J 2006-12-20
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I just got my green indian ringneck (KIWI) for Mothers day and am already in love. My baby is already eating with me and trying to open its cage door to come and see me. It is only one month old. Thank you for all of your comments. They are a great help. Christi 2007-05-16
hey, this web site has helped alot. iv only just gotten a little Blue Cinnamon indian ringneck parakeet. he is so fun to watch and play with. he will roll over on his back and let me tickle his tummy and he loves the cage open at all times. iv had him since he was 2 weeks old, he does talk and loves to play. he hates my lorikeet and budgie. i recommend this bird to any bird lover, although they can get very cheeky at times. so if you are thinking bout getting on one, i hope this comment has helped and GOOD LUCK. xoxoxo Scott 2006-12-11
i really like this website, it helps me alot Layla 2006-11-25

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