Found in small flocks, they fly rapidly in forest clearings while making screeching calls that differ from those of other parakeet species within their distribution range.

The blue-winged parakeet is bluish grey with a long yellow-tipped tail.

[7] The closest living relative of this species is Layard's parakeet which is endemic to Sri Lanka.

[8] This parakeet is restricted to the Western Ghats south of about 19°N (Kasa, north of Bombay) to Kerala, extending into the hills of the Palnis and Nilgiris[5] as well as the adjoining Eastern Ghats including the Biligirirangan range[9] and possibly further east in the Kolli Hills in India.

It was known in the pet trade as the "Bababudan Parrot" and acquired a misleading reputation as a superior talker.