Breed profile

Cotorra Alejandrina

Larger than the ring-necked (Kramer's) parakeet. An elegant parrot. A good talker with dedication.

Origin: India Size: Mediano-Grande Lifespan: 25-30 años Energy

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).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Vocalisation / noise

Ease of handling

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 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.

🦜Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)☠️Intoxicación / envenenamiento 🦴Fractura ósea

Common diseases in birds

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

☠️Intoxicación / envenenamiento 🦴Fractura ósea 🩸Hemorragia (sangrado importante)🦜Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)🦜Megabacteriosis aviar 🔥Quemaduras

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

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

Foto de la raza alejandrina — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Cotorra Alejandrina

How long does a Cotorra Alejandrina live?

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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?

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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?

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The Cotorra Alejandrina originates from India. Native to India. Larger than the ring-necked parakeet.

How much exercise does a Cotorra Alejandrina need?

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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?

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**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?

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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?

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Does the Alexandrine parakeet talk well?

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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?

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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.