Psittacula eques
The Echo Parakeet, *Psittacula eques*, is an endemic jewel of Mauritius, distinguished by its vibrant emerald-green plumage, often appearing darker on the back and wings, with a paler green underside. Males are easily identified by their bright reddish upper mandible contrasting with a black lower mandible, while females sport an entirely black bill. Both sexes share a distinctive black chin stripe and a maroon-red patch on the carpal joint of their wings, offering a crucial field mark. Measu...
Restricted to the remnant native upland moist forests of Mauritius, primarily found in areas above 200 meters elevation, favoring old-growth trees with suitable nesting cavities.
Primarily frugivorous and granivorous, feeding on a wide variety of native fruits, seeds, flowers, nectar, and young leaves, primarily foraging in the tree canopy.
Echo Parakeets are diurnal, spending their days foraging actively in the high canopy, often hanging acrobatically to reach fruits and seeds. Outside the breeding season, they are gregarious, forming small flocks that forage and roost communally in large, secure trees. During the breeding season (...
The Echo Parakeet is strictly endemic to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, with its entire wild population confined to the remnant native upland forests. Its core range is concentrated within the Black River Gorges National Park and adjacent protected areas, particularly in the Macchab...
Vulnerable
- Once considered the rarest parrot in the world, with its population plummeting to just 10-12 individuals in the early 1980s. - Its conservation success story is a testament to dedicated efforts including captive breeding, supplementary feeding, nest site management, and predator control. - They...