Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri)

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Tara

The Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) is among the more widespread species of the genus and is the species which has the most geographical variations. It is easily identified by the large reddish patch on its breast. An alternative name is the Moustached Parakeet depending on subspecies. The subspecies found in Thailand is Psittacula alexandri fasciata.

My long-distance shots don’t do this beauty justice so here’s the Wikipedia shot.

Here’s a couple of my shots from the Khao Yai area.

Red-breasted Parakeets have a huge range from South and South-East Asia, from northern and eastern India (including the Andaman Islands), Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, ranging through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan), with populations in Indonesia, on Java, Bali Karimunjawa, Kangean, Simeulue, Nias and Banyak, and in Kalimantan (where probably introduced from Java) (Juniper and Parr 1998). For travel logistical purposes, the easiest place to see them would be in Thailand where there is a city-based flock in the Dusit area and a large population in the Khao Yai area seen easily near the Balios Resort. Your ears will find them!

LEARN MORE ABOUT RED-BREASTED PARAKEETS

VIDEO

This video was taken in Thailand and you can clearly hear the bird’s call.

Here’s a nesting pair.

Beautiful close-up!

Hotel Review – Balios Resort, Khao Yai NP, Thailand

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Tara

When researching accommodation near Khao Yai National Park for our one night layover, one name kept popping up as the best place to stay, favored by international birding tour groups – Juldis Khao Yai Resort. Red-breasted Parakeets were known to frequent the grounds! When I went searching for it, I discovered it had been renamed Balios Resort and was easily booked on any of the major booking engines such as Rocketmiles, Pointshound and Hotels.com.

It’s kind of surprising to see such a large, fancy resort so near a national park and they went all out with the Italian decor.

Lobby area

Swimming pool

Well-maintained garden

The room was spotless and had a great view of the garden. If we had stayed longer, it would have been nice to sit on the balcony and look for birds.

An amusing list of hotel items for sale – armchair, anyone?

Buffet breakfast served in the dining hall with a nice view of the pool.

It seemed kind of strange to be in this lavish resort when I was expecting a birding lodge (since other groups stayed there) but it was a really nice place and less than $100. We would definitely stay there again if we return to Khao Yai (hopefully for a longer stay)!

Long Bangkok Layover Pictorial – Khao Yai Area

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Tara

As described here, these are the photos from our long Bangkok layover between Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.

Bangkok Airways has a nice livery!

Always inspect your rental car and take photos.

Up early in Khao Yai (outside the park proper) birding the grounds of the Balios Resort and nearby. Nothing that would excite most birders – no rare birds but I was thrilled to get a better look at Red-breasted Parakeets (aka Moustache Parrots).

This is where we chased the Red-breasted Parakeets – the empty lot next to the Palio Shopping Centre. They make enough noise!

We had a bit of drama with the car, at one point it wouldn’t start and I was freaking out! We pushed it into a car park and after several tries, thankfully it started but I wouldn’t turn it off all the rest of the way to Bangkok. It was nice to see how pretty the area is since we arrived in the dark. My review of Balios Resort.

This is what you can expect if you drive a rental car. The roads are pretty well marked in both Thai and English. We had no trouble finding the airport although it took a while to find a petrol station to refuel at. It was a public holiday the day we drove back so there were no tolls which was nice!