Special feathery guests in Istanbul

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]