Cotorra Alejandrina
Larger than the ring-necked (Kramer's) parakeet. An elegant parrot. A good talker with dedication.
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Ideal for
- ✓Families with time for daily interaction
- ✓Spacious homes (large birds require a room)
- ✓Those who accept a decades-long commitment (parrots live a long time)
Reconsider if
- ×Homes without time to socialise
- ×Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise)
- ×Homes without space for flight
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Is the Cotorra Alejandrina a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
💶 Estimated cost of ownership
25-45 €/month
Food (pellets, vegetables and fruit) 12-20 €/month; recurring destruction toys; avian vet prorated (check-up + blood work ~60-90 €). A very large cage for its tail is a high initial investment.
History and origin
Native to India. Larger than the ring-necked parakeet.
Temperament and character
Intelligence varies by species. Parrots form strong bonds with their humans. They need daily mental stimulation · NOT just a cage.
Living together
Children: depends on the species + individual character. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except for territorial species). **Older pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.
Life stages of the Cotorra Alejandrina
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 25-30 años.
Chick
0-4 months
Hand-rearing on formula; warmth and development of the maroon wing patch
Juvenile
4-18 months
Weaning; the male's neck ring appears at around 18-36 months
Adult
1.5-15 years
Diet of pellets, fruit and vegetables; ample flight space and foraging
Senior
15-30 years
Liver check-ups, weight and joint support
Care
Cage: at least twice the size of the bird with its wings spread. A dedicated room is better.
Feeding: SEEDS are NOT a complete diet. A combination of pellets + fresh fruit/vegetables daily.
Free flight: at least 1-2 hours/day out of the cage in a safe area.
Veterinary care: an avian specialist vet (exotics vet). Annual check-up.
Care in detail
🍽️ Nutrition
A pellet base with leafy greens and vegetables daily, fruit in moderation; seeds and nuts only as a treat. Cuttlebone and a mineral block for calcium.
✂️ Grooming
Offer frequent baths or showers for the plumage. Nails and beak are kept in check with branches and toys; check that they do not overgrow.
🎓 Training
Intelligent and a good talker with dedication: work with positive reinforcement. It can become territorial during the breeding season, when more prudent handling is advisable.
🏃 Exercise
It needs plenty of space because of its long tail: 2 hours of supervised flight daily and abundant destruction and foraging toys.
Breed-specific health
Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 25-30 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will live with it throughout your adult life.
🩺 Health predispositions of this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in birds
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Cotorra Alejandrina
Recommended tests and screenings
- ✓DNA sexing (juveniles do not yet show the male's collar)
- ✓Chlamydia psittaci PCR (psittacosis)
- ✓PBFD (circovirus) and polyomavirus PCR
- ✓Crop cytology and faecal examination
- ✓Annual blood count and biochemistry
Prevention
A pellet-based diet with daily vegetables and greens (avoid a seed-only diet), quarantine, weight control and hygiene. Avoid fumes, Teflon and aerosols.
Check-up schedule
Annual check-up with an avian vet; as it is long-lived, periodic control blood work is advisable.
Warning signs
- !Fluffed-up plumage and lethargy
- !Laboured breathing or respiratory noises (risk of aspergillosis)
- !Feather plucking
- !Weight loss and abnormal droppings
Cotorra Alejandrina gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Cotorra Alejandrina
- How long does a Cotorra Alejandrina live? ▾
- The life expectancy of the Cotorra Alejandrina is 25-30 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
- How much does a Cotorra Alejandrina weigh? ▾
- An adult Cotorra Alejandrina weighs between 200-300g, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is mediano-grande.
- Where does the Cotorra Alejandrina breed come from? ▾
- The Cotorra Alejandrina originates from India. Native to India. Larger than the ring-necked parakeet.
- How much exercise does a Cotorra Alejandrina need? ▾
- The Cotorra Alejandrina has media energy. **Cage:** at least twice the size of the bird with its wings spread. A dedicated room is better.
- Is the Cotorra Alejandrina good with children? ▾
- **Children:** depends on the species + individual character. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except for territorial species). **Older pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.
- Who is the Cotorra Alejandrina NOT recommended for? ▾
- It isn't the right breed for: Homes without time to socialise. Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise). Homes without space for flight. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
- What health problems does the Cotorra Alejandrina have? ▾
- Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 25-30 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will live with it throughout your adult life.
- Does the Alexandrine parakeet talk well? ▾
- Yes, with dedication it learns a repertoire of words and phrases; it is one of the most highly regarded Asian parakeets as a talker.
- Does it need a lot of space? ▾
- Yes. It is considerably larger than the ring-necked (Kramer's) parakeet and has a very long tail, so it requires a large cage and, above all, hours of flight outside it.
- When does the collar appear? ▾
- The male's black and pink collar appears at around 18-36 months; before that age only DNA sexing can distinguish the sex.
- How long does it live? ▾
- It is very long-lived, between 25 and 30 years, making it a decades-long commitment.
Learn more about birds
Practical veterinary guides to support your Cotorra Alejandrina.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
- WikipediaPsittacula eupatria (Alexandrine parakeet) ↗
- World Parrot TrustAlexandrine Parakeet ↗
Want to adopt a cotorra alejandrina?
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