About the Echo Parakeet
The echo parakeet (Psittacula eques) is a species of parrot endemic to the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius and formerly Réunion. It is the only living native parrot of the Mascarene Islands; all others have become extinct due to human activity. Two subspecies have been recognised, the extinct Réunion parakeet (for a long time known only from descriptions and illustrations) and the living echo parakeet, sometimes known as the Mauritius parakeet. The relationship between the two populations has been historically disputed. A 2015 DNA study compared the DNA of echo parakeets with a skin sample thought to be from a Réunion parakeet and determined them to be subspecies of the same species. However, it has also been suggested they did not constitute different subspecies.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Psittacula eques
- Family
- Old World Parrots
- Order
- Psittaciformes
Similar species
Other members of the old world parrots family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria
- Bourke's Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii
- Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus
- Chattering Lory Lorius garrulus
- Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans
- Dusky Lory Chalcopsitta fuscata
- Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius
- Fischer's Lovebird Agapornis fischeri
- Lilian's Lovebird Agapornis lilianae
- Little Lorikeet Psitteuteles pusillus
- Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides
- Papuan Eclectus Eclectus polychloros
Know when the Echo Parakeet turns up near you
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Optics
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