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GS Soh documented the stages leading to a pair of Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) mating in April 2009. It started when he saw the male parakeet flying around to perch on a branch of a tree. There he indulged in wing-foot stretching and calling loudly. At this, the female popped out of her nesting cavity to join her mate (above left). This was when copulation took place as he suddenly jumped on her back and indulged in a cloacal-kiss (above right; below).
Some time later GS returned to the area to check on the nesting cavity. The female popped out of the cavity to be followed by the chick.
This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.
Ecology » Mating of the Red-breasted Parakeet
[…] Mating of the Red-breasted ParakeetGS Soh documented the stages leading to a pair of Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) mating in April 2009. It started when he saw the male parakeet flying around to perch on a branch of a tree. There he indulged in wing-foot … […]
City Parrots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricseet/4189751875/in/photostream/?addedcomment=1#comment72157623014516078
Looks like subspecies hybrids are not the only worry. The two psittacula species are hybridising as well.
Perhaps this means the Long-tailed parakeet will be able to absorb the non-native Red-breasted parakeet population.