With its vibrant colours, playful personality, and graceful flight, the Plum-headed Parakeet can bring life and energy to any landscape. Spotting one is always a delight. They fly across the sky with twists and turns, announcing their arrival with loud, shrill calls.

The Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala) is a sexually dimorphic species, meaning males and females display distinct physical characteristics. The male is particularly striking, with a plum-purple head that contrasts beautifully with his bright green body. A thin black collar around the neck adds an elegant finishing touch to his appearance.

Females are equally attractive, though more subtly coloured. Instead of the rich plum-purple head seen in males, they have a soft bluish-grey head that blends with their green plumage.

Plum-headed Parakeets are highly adaptable and are often seen in city parks, gardens, and orchards, where mature trees provide them with food and nesting sites. Their ability to thrive alongside humans has helped them remain a familiar sight in many parts of the Indian subcontinent.

Photos and text by Prerna Jain.