The study investigated the roosting patterns of Rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) across six locations in the state of Gujarat, India. Roost sites included 383 trees, of which 228 were used for final roosting and 155 served as pre-roosting sites. The study was conducted over a period of four months from 2019 to 2020. A total of 20 different tree species were identified as roost sites, with Ficus benghalensis being the most utilized. Overall, 228 roosting trees, spread across 12 locations, hosted 50,161 parakeets, with the highest concentration occurring in gardens. Tree height and canopy cover significantly correlated with parakeet numbers, with taller trees (>15 m) and those with canopy cover >100 m² supporting the most parakeets. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed these relationships (R²= 0.1661 for height, R²= 0.3610 for canopy cover, both P< 0.01). No significant monthly variation in parakeet numbers was observed. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values ranged from 0.007 to 0.51, with a mean of 0.16 for roosting sites, suggesting suitable roosting areas are scattered in dense vegetation, predominantly on the city periphery. The study underscores the significance of tree height and canopy cover to parakeet roosting site selection.
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