Here's something I wrote a while back when finding a lot of people getting scammed by people claming ringnecks to be alexs! So you want an Alexandrine Parrot?
A friend of mine, after falling in love with my Alexandrines, decided she wanted one to join her household. We began a search for an Alexandrine male, and sadly came across many scams relating to these birds and the Ringnecks. I felt something needed to be put into writing regarding this, as people may well be parting with money, only to find the bird they bought is either not what they thought it was, or doesn’t act how they expect it too. The people who work these scams are VERY good, and people need to be informed before they visit their prospective pet.
The first scam we came across was a ‘young’ female Alexandrine, tame, with lovely cage. So we pay a visit to this house. The ‘young’ female Alexandrine, was actually an older female Indian Ringneck. The lady selling her was sold this bird a year or so ago, and had paperwork stating it was an Alexandrine. She also had been charged a considerable amount of money for this bird, basically Alexandrine price, for an Indian Ringneck bird.
So, first of all, what are the differences between an Alexandrine, and an Indian Ringneck?
The main difference, is the size of the bird. An Alexandrine is approximately 21 inches in size from head to the end of the tail. A Ringneck is half that size. The Alexandrine in body size is comparable to a Timneh Grey, where as a Ringneck is comparable to a small conure.
The next difference is the size of the beak. A Ringneck has a very small pointy beak, no more than approximately ½ inch wide. The Alexandrines Beak can be about an inch wide and with not such a sharp point.
But above all else, the biggest difference to ALWAYS look out for is only the Alexandrines have the burgundy shoulder patch. The Ringnecks (in the common mutation) are all green.
Pictures are hard to give a size guide, but here a few examples of the differences you will see between the two species:
FEMALE INDIAN RINGNECK
FEMALE ALEXANDRINE
Note the shape of the beak and no black ring round the necks on the females of BOTH species.
MALE INDIAN RINGNECK
MALE ALEXANDRINE
Note males of both species have the black ring at maturity.
Also look carefully at the pictures. You can see with the Alexandrine the heads and body size is MUCH bigger. The beak also has a different shape, with the Ringnecks beak having a much sharper and thinner point.
The final point is the burgundy shoulder patches. ONLY the Alexandrines have these, both males and females will have them. If the bird you are seeing has burgundy shoulder patches like these, then it IS an Alexandrine.
Our next visit took us to see a young male Alexandrine, who was described as very tame and very friendly. Upon arriving, we were informed that this bird was a bit nervous at that moment in time, as he had taken him from his home and bought him to a friends house, to make it easier for them to find him. The bird was not allowed out his cage, as they said he would just fly about and be scared because he doesn’t know where he was. Now even though this bird is a baby, as a breed, the Alex’s are generally very confident bird, and if very tame are happy to go to anyone, they are social birds as pets, and show no sign of nervousness. If you go to see a bird described as hand tame, always observe the bird inside AND outside of his cage. If the bird will not come to you, ask the owner to make the bird step up. If the owner is not able to do this, walk away – It is not a hand tame alexandrine. Just bear in mind there is a difference between scared and naughty. Alex’s love to fly, so if he goes flying off round the room, and is not coming to the owner, spend a bit more time there. My male Alexandrine Toby is very fond of playing jump the perch when it comes to stepping up to go back into his cage. He is extremely tame, but loves to be a little naughty if he knows you want him.
Signs of nervousness to look out for inside the cage is the bird backing into a corner, trying to get away from a hand or biting. Always look for an alert, inquisitive and friendly Alexandrine. They should usually be in perfect feather, the only time you will see Alex’s looking a mess is when they are plucking, or moulting. When moulting they will lose a number of feathers and may end up with bald patches, but these do grow back over a week or two.
It can be hard to the untrained eye to tell the difference between a moulting Alexandrine, and a plucking Alexandrine, depending on the severity of the plucking of course. When mine went through the first moult I rang someone nearly in tears worried Toby was unhappy, he looked a right mess, but within two weeks he was back to perfect feather. If you are at all unsure about the health of the bird, walk away. Better that than take in a bird that could possibly have a disease which could be passed round your other birds.
In conclusion, in your search for an Alexandrine, research, research, research and follow the points listed below.
- Make sure you know the differences between the two species 100% before committing to buy.
- Know what to look out for in a healthy bird.
- Know the differences between a tame and untamed bird.
- Never feel pressured into buying a bird you are unsure about. If in doubt whatsoever, walk away.
- If you are worried about the conditions the bird is kept in, then report to the RSPCA, or a local Parrot Rescue centre.
Good luck in your search, and remember, if any doubt contact the experts for help with your decision.
Written By:
Mandy Dale