The Mauritius parakeet had the dubious honour of being the most endangered bird in the world in the 1980s, but following a massive conservation drive boasts a more secure future today. These medium-sized parakeets are bright emerald-green in colour with a black ring around the neck; the crown, nape of the neck and long tail have a blue tinge. Mature males bear a reddish-orange upper beak and pinkish markings on the back of the neck. Mauritius parakeets give a loud 'kaaark kaaark' call in flight and shorter 'kik kik'. |