Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 50 - 249 (2010) and increasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation, predation by introduced mammals, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Buds, young shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, twigs and even bark and sap.
Voice
A loud 'kaaark kaaark' uttered in flight and a sharp, short 'kik kik', unlike the high-pitched shrieks and shrills of Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri).
Echo Parakeet (Psittacula eques) [XC156998]
by Albert Lastukhin & Alexandr Shirjaev from Bel Ombre, Savanne, Mauritius (flight call)
Echo Parakeet (Psittacula eques) [XC20837]
by Phil Gregory from Maccabe Ridge, Brise Fer Rd, Mauritius (call)
Subspecies
Has been treated as a subspecies of Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), or of extinct Psittacula eques from Reunion. The name echo even regarded as a junior synonym of eques, being indistinguishable from descriptions of the latter, of which no specimens survive.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
eques (Newton & Newton, 1876) - Mascarene Is.
echo (Newton, A & Newton, E, 1876) - Montane forests of Mauritius (on verge of extinction).
Similar Species
Easily confused with smaller, paler Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and best distinguished by vocalisations.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet