Slaty-headed Parakeet
Psittacula himalayana
A sleek and exceptionally graceful parrot of the mountains, the Slaty-headed Parakeet is recognized by its dark slate-grey head, bright green body, and long yellow-tipped tail.
Species Ecological Profile
Sourced from high-confidence eBird and regional field surveys
Temperate broadleaf oak forests, mixed pine slopes, wooded hillsides, and adjacent fruit orchards. Primarily a high-canopy dweller.
Granivorous and frugivorous. Feeds on wild fruits, orchard plums, peaches, walnuts, acorns, pine seeds, flower buds, and young crop grains.
Altitudinal migrant. Breeds in upper oak forests in summer and descends in large flocks to Naukuchiatal valley orchards and sheltered plains in winter.
March to May. Nests in deep cavities of old oak, pine, or alder trunks, frequently utilizing old woodpecker hollows high above the ground.
Highly active during ripening seasons. Seen in fast-flying, noisy flocks diving across the Naukuchiatal orchards and calling with sharp, metallic screams.
Photographic Log
Visual field records captured in Naukuchiatal (Click to enlarge)
