Sunday Shot: Rose Ringed Parakeet In Flight

It is Sunday shot time and harvest season in Goa. In the paddy fields of Taleigao near our house, dozens of parakeets are having a gala time with the golden grains of paddy ripe and ready to be harvested. Good opportunity to try my hand at photographing a Rose-ringed Parakeet bird in flight.

Rose-ringed Parakeet in Flight – Birding in Goa

This bird picks up a strand of the paddy crop from the fields as if saying – this is my share of the booty. Undoubtedly it was not the only piece it picked up. They fly to higher branches of the nearby trees to relish the rich pickings. And soon return for more. Like a variety of birds savoring the crop.

One of the pleasures of living between the Arabian Sea and the fields. You can see flocks of these fellows in your backyard. You can always step out for a long walk by the rich nature. Birds can be seen if you have a keen eye to notice them.

The bird also known as the ring-necked parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula, of the family Psittacidae.

About the bird

These birds are about 40 cm long, with a wingspan of 55–65 cm. They weigh 95–140 gm. The head, neck, breast, and upper parts are green. The underparts are paler green. The wings are blue-green with black tips. The tail is long and graduated, with green feathers and black tips. The bill is red. The eyes are brown.

They are native to Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. These birds are social birds that live in flocks of up to 50 birds. They are noisy and can be quite aggressive, especially during the breeding season. But, they are very intelligent and can be trained to perform tricks. They are omnivorous and eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and insects and also eat human food, such as bread, nuts, and fruit.