Layard's parakeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Layard's parakeet |
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| Female eating fruit in Sri Lanka | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Psittacula
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| Species: |
calthrapae
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The Layard's parakeet (scientific name: Psittacula calthrapae) is a type of parrot. It lives only in Sri Lanka, meaning it's an endemic bird there. This bird is named after a British nature expert, Edgar Leopold Layard. Its scientific name also honors his first wife, Barbara Anne Calthrop.
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What Layard's Parakeet Looks Like
Layard's parakeet is a green parrot. It grows to about 29 centimeters (11.4 inches) long. This length includes its tail, which can be up to 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) long.
Adult parakeets have a bluish-grey head and back. A green band, like a collar, separates these colors. They also have a wide black stripe under their chin. Their tail feathers are blue with yellow tips.
You can tell the male and female apart by their beaks. The male has a red upper beak and a brown lower beak. The female's beak is all black. Young parakeets are mostly green. They also have an orange beak.
Where Layard's Parakeet Lives and What It Does
Layard's parakeet prefers to live in forests. You can often find them at the edges of forests or in clearings. They also like gardens. These birds are quite common in their local areas.
They move around a bit, usually to find food. Their diet includes fruits, seeds, buds, and blossoms. Unlike some other parrots, they don't usually gather in very large groups. Outside of the breeding season, you'll often see them in small groups. Sometimes, they even feed alongside brahminy starlings.
When they fly, they are very fast and fly in a straight line. Their call is a loud, chattering sound.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Layard's parakeets build their nests in holes found in large trees. The female usually lays three to four white eggs.
Layard's Parakeet in Sri Lankan Culture
In Sri Lanka, this bird has a special name. In the Sinhala language, it's called alu girawa අළු ගිරවා. This means "ash-parrot," likely because of its grey colors.
This beautiful bird has even appeared on money and stamps! It was featured on a 50-cent Sri Lankan postal stamp. You can also see the Layard's parakeet on the 500 Sri Lankan rupee banknote from the 2010 series.
