Maintain formation!

A class of Rose Ringed Parakeets is out having practical lessons

Echelon formation! Listen up class, today we’re doing a long flight. This will test your stamina, but that’s what we parakeets do to find food. We’re awesome at survival because we’re not lazy! Switch to ladder formation! Once we get there, get busy by filling up on all the fruit, berries, nuts and grains you find. Don’t be shy or finicky. Fingertip formation! Now boys, I know some of you want to show off your beautiful yellow-green bodies, red beaks and, of course, your distinctive rose and black neck ring. But be warned, if you do not use your ability to naturally camouflage yourselves in green foliage, a human could capture you and keep you as a pet!

Fun(ish) Facts

Shift to battle spread formation! In the event you do get captured, it’s not all doom and gloom. The upside is that they will feed you well, but the downside is that you will be confined to a cage. I have met some of our kin who have been let out of their cages. They do not want to return to the wild since they are quite content with the free food and petting they receive. They have also learnt the language of the humans and converse with them quite well. I suppose in the end, it’s your right to choose. Break formation and wheel right, and land in that orchard to commence eating!

Story of the Photo

These parakeets are a common sight in-and-around the Mahoora Tented Safari Camps. This beautiful shot of the birds flying in formation was captured by Dilum, at the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Wilpattu when he was out on an early morning walk.