Alexandrine Parakeet as a pet
Psittacula eupatria
In short
This species may suit you if you can live with noise level ‘loud’, have room for an enclosure in class ‘medium’ and can care for the bird for up to about 40 years [S35, S90, S100]. Biggest trade-off: the noise (class ‘loud’) [S90, S100]. The perfect parrot doesn’t exist: a species profile is no guarantee about your bird.
This information was compiled with AI from public sources and may contain errors. Always check legal rules with the competent authority. Not buying, veterinary or legal advice.
Talking
‘Known to imitate human speech in captivity’ (secondary source) [S100].
Noise
WPT: ‘Harsh and loud in general’ [S90]; the call is deeper and harsher than that of the Rose-ringed Parakeet [S100]. Relative description, not a measurement.
Lifespan
WPT: 25–30 years in captivity [S90]; secondary source: up to 40 years [S100].
Space
Flemish parakeet guideline per pair: small species 100 × 80 × 50 cm, larger species 150 × 150 × 80 cm [S35]; the page does not explicitly classify this species, so the larger class is used here to be safe. WPT: metal aviary (wood gets chewed through), walk-in aviary at least 4.5 m long [S90]. That is only a length, not a floor area, so it is not counted in the class; it is, however, much larger than the Flemish guideline.
Suitable for beginners?
No statement about beginners read. World Parrot Trust (S90) and Wikipedia (S100) checked on 27/9/2026: no explicit statement about experience.
Costs
From €240 per year per bird. Flemish Huisdierwijzer pet guide (parakeets S35 / lovebirds S36): about €20 per bird per month × 12. Price level unknown; not a full budget or quote.
Paperwork and rules in Belgium
EU Annex B (CITES II). Ask the seller for proof of legal origin (invoice, transfer declaration; EU model recommended) and keep it [S40]. According to the FPS, anyone who buys, sells or breeds these birds keeps a register of arrivals and departures and keeps it for at least 5 years [S39]. Status as of 27 September 2026; check the current rules for your bird with the Belgian FPS Public Health [S39]. Brussels-Capital Region: invasive species on Annex IV of the Brussels Nature Ordinance (Natuurordonnantie). Under Article 77 it is prohibited there to sell this species, transfer it free of charge or for payment, exchange or acquire it, or release it into the wild. That article does not prohibit keeping a bird you already have; federal rules on keeping animals still apply. In Flanders and Wallonia we found no ban on keeping or selling: the species is not on the EU list of invasive alien species (as of 2025), nor on a Flemish or Walloon list. Releasing a bird into the wild is, however, prohibited in both regions. Not legal advice. [S83, S84, S85, S105, S106, S107, S108]
Adoption and availability
Offered through Nally’s Papegaaienopvang on adopteereendier.be, read on 27/9/2026 [S70, S71].
What you have to accept
- Noise class ‘loud’: only choose this species if your home situation can handle it [S90, S100].
- Still unknown in the sources: suitability for beginners. That is not a ‘yes’.
- Talking is a possibility, not a promise: a species profile never predicts an individual bird [S100].
- EU Annex B: ask the seller for proof of legal origin and keep it [S40].
Compare with
Monk Parakeet: a similar profile on the known criteria.
Monk Parakeet · Compare with Monk ParakeetRed-rumped Parrot: a similar profile on the known criteria.
Red-rumped Parrot · Compare with Red-rumped ParrotEastern Rosella: a similar profile on the known criteria.
Eastern Rosella · Compare with Eastern Rosella
Source basis
Conservation organisation (WPT) + secondary source + Flemish parakeet group
Guideline sizes, costs and adoption listings come from Flemish sources; different rules may apply in Brussels and Wallonia. Foreign housing rules are not Belgian rules.
Sources
- S35 · Vlaanderen — Huisdierwijzer Parkieten · read 2026-09-19
- S36 · Vlaanderen — Huisdierwijzer Dwergpapegaai (Agapornis) · read 2026-09-19
- S39 · FOD Volksgezondheid — CITES-regels: Papegaaien · read 2026-09-24
- S40 · FOD Volksgezondheid — Beschermde soorten bezitten · read 2026-09-19
- S70 · adopteereendier.be (Vlaamse overheid) — asielpagina Nally's Papegaaien Opvang · read 2026-09-19
- S71 · adopteereendier.be — Volièrevogels · read 2026-09-19
- S83 · Leefmilieu Brussel — Europese en Brusselse regelgeving invasieve uitheemse soorten · read 2026-09-24
- S84 · Justel — Ordonnantie 1 maart 2012 betreffende het natuurbehoud (Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest), art. 77 · read 2026-09-24
- S85 · Belgisch Staatsblad 17 april 2012 — Ordonnantie 1 maart 2012 betreffende het natuurbehoud (Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest), Erratum: bijlagen, bijlage IV 'Invasieve soorten' (blz. 24076) · read 2026-09-27
- S90 · World Parrot Trust — Parrot Encyclopedia: Alexandrine Parakeet · read 2026-09-27
- S100 · Wikipedia — Alexandrine parakeet · read 2026-09-27
- S105 · Uitvoeringsverordening (EU) 2016/1141 — Unielijst invasieve uitheemse soorten, geconsolideerde versie 7/8/2025 (M1 2017/1263, M2 2019/1262, M3 2022/1203, M4 2025/1422) · read 2026-09-28
- S106 · Natuur en Bos (Vlaamse overheid) — Exoten houden en kweken · read 2026-09-28
- S107 · Codex Vlaanderen — Soortenbesluit (BVR 15 mei 2009), art. 3 §1, 17, 31/2, 31/10 en 31/11 · read 2026-09-28
- S108 · WALLEX — Décret wallon du 2 mai 2019 relatif à la prévention et à la gestion de l'introduction et de la propagation des espèces exotiques envahissantes (+ AGW d'exécution du 15 septembre 2022) · read 2026-09-28
Sources checked as of:
Frequently asked questions
Which papers do you need for the Alexandrine Parakeet in Belgium?
EU Annex B (CITES II). Ask the seller for proof of legal origin (invoice, transfer declaration; EU model recommended) and keep it. According to the FPS, anyone who buys, sells or breeds these birds keeps a register of arrivals and departures and keeps it for at least 5 years. Status as of 27 September 2026; check the current rules for your bird with the Belgian FPS Public Health. Brussels-Capital Region: invasive species on Annex IV of the Brussels Nature Ordinance (Natuurordonnantie). Under Article 77 it is prohibited there to sell this species, transfer it free of charge or for payment, exchange or acquire it, or release it into the wild. That article does not prohibit keeping a bird you already have; federal rules on keeping animals still apply. In Flanders and Wallonia we found no ban on keeping or selling: the species is not on the EU list of invasive alien species (as of 2025), nor on a Flemish or Walloon list. Releasing a bird into the wild is, however, prohibited in both regions. Not legal advice.
How long does the Alexandrine Parakeet live?
WPT: 25–30 years in captivity; secondary source: up to 40 years.
How loud is the Alexandrine Parakeet?
WPT: ‘Harsh and loud in general’; the call is deeper and harsher than that of the Rose-ringed Parakeet. Relative description, not a measurement.
Can the Alexandrine Parakeet learn to talk?
‘Known to imitate human speech in captivity’ (secondary source).
How much space does the Alexandrine Parakeet need?
Flemish parakeet guideline per pair: small species 100 × 80 × 50 cm, larger species 150 × 150 × 80 cm; the page does not explicitly classify this species, so the larger class is used here to be safe. WPT: metal aviary (wood gets chewed through), walk-in aviary at least 4.5 m long. That is only a length, not a floor area, so it is not counted in the class; it is, however, much larger than the Flemish guideline.
What does the Alexandrine Parakeet cost per year?
From €240 per year per bird. Flemish Huisdierwijzer pet guide (parakeets S35 / lovebirds S36): about €20 per bird per month × 12. Price level unknown; not a full budget or quote.