These species of parakeet are distributed in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Quite often, it is mistaken for similar-looking blossom-headed parakeet (Psittacula roseata). The plum-headed parakeets are gregarious and noisy birds with a range of disturbingly harsh and loud calls. These birds are monotypic species.

These parakeet species are sexually dimorphic. The male parakeet has a red head, shading to greyish plum on mid-crown and purple-blue on the back of the crown, nape and cheeks. The male has a narrow black neck collar and bluish green nape. There is a black chin stripe extending to lower mandible. There is a red shoulder patch. The female has bluish gray head and a diffuse pale yellow neck collar. Juveniles have green head and yellow mandibles.

The plum-headed parakeet has long, narrow, bluish tail with white tip. The upper mandible is yellowish orange and the lower mandible is blackish. The irises are black. The legs are pale gray. The plum-headed parakeet is distinguished from Psittacula roseata by the color of the shoulder patch and tail-tip. Psittacula roseata has maroon shoulder patch and yellow tail-tip. The plum-headed parakeet call is a very loud, shrill screeching sound.

The plum-headed parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala) is a medium sized parrot measuring about 30 to 35 cm in length and weighing 50 to 90 grams. The overall plumage is yellowish green and the upper side of the wings is green.

These parakeet species are sexually dimorphic. The male parakeet has a red head, shading to greyish plum on mid-crown and purple-blue on the back of the crown, nape and cheeks. The male has a narrow black neck collar and bluish green nape.

There is a black chin stripe extending to lower mandible. There is a red shoulder patch. The female has bluish gray head and a diffuse pale yellow neck collar. Juveniles have green head and yellow mandibles.