![Parrots: Cute guests of Istanbul Istanbul has some special guests in their park -the Alexandrine Parakeet Istanbul, 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018-10-28_parrots-instanbul20181124_2_33585665_39292639.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1)
Istanbul has some special guests in their city -the Alexandrine Parakeet on 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
The Alexandrine Parakeet’s gender can be defined by markings. Male parrots sport red feathers around their neck, and a black stripe down their cheek. Female parakeets lack both Istanbul, Turkey 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
There are 5 known subspecies of the Alexandrine Parakeet, and they live in usually warm countries like Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas, the Andaman islands, and Thailand in Istanbul, Turkey 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
The green Alexandrine parakeet’s technical ornithological name is the ‘psittacula eupatria’ in Istanbul, Turkey 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
This beautiful green Alexandrine parakeet can be seen amongst the trees in Istanbul, Turkey 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
The Alexandrine parakeet was first described by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson as Psittaca Ginginiana or “La Perruche de Gingi” (The Gingi’s Parakeet) in 1760 on 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
The Alexandrine Parakeet is one of the largest in the world, and its tail can reach lengths of 35cm in Istanbul, 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
The genus name Psittacula is a diminutive of the Latin word psittacus meaning “parrot”, and the specific name eupatria is derived from the Ancient Greek words eu- meaning “well” and patriá meaning “descent” in Istanbul, Turkey 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
These parakeets are able to mimic human speech, and are known to be very playful, which is why they make popular pets in Istanbul, Turkey 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
This beautiful bird is unfortunately endangered, due to habitat loss and being captured to be put on the illegal wildlife markets in Istanbul, Turkey 20 November 2018 [Berk Özkan/Anadolu Agency]
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