Echo Parakeet

Psittacula eques (Boddaert, 1783)

Echo Parakeet, Psittacula eques, is a parrot of the Mascarenes in the Indian Ocean, now confined to Mauritius. It is the only native parrot still living in the islands, and it is closely tied to forest with native vegetation. The bird keeps to the canopy and breeds in natural hollows in old trees. It is mainly green, with the female darker overall, and both sexes show neck collars that differ in colour and pattern. The species was once much more widespread, but hunting and habitat change reduced it sharply before captive breeding helped prevent its loss.

Order

Psittaciformes

Family

Psittaculidae — Old World Parrots

Breeding range

Indian Ocean: Mascarenes