Wild Parrot in London...

[PeterCollins]

Hey guys

Got my new 70-200 yesterday (whoot!) and was out and about shooting in the woods behind my home when a whole school of these flew over.

Looks like some kind of parrot to me! apologises for the image quality it was quite some distance away with only a 70-200 on the camera :p



any help with this stranger, certainly did not expect to see this in london!

[Linda Dulak]

Looks like and Indian Ringneck parakeet, probably an escapee.

[John Chardine]

Peter- There are some 13 species of parrots now established in Britain and are considered "feral" meaning they live wild and free but are from captive stock originally. Climate change has allowed them to thrive in the UK, particularly the south. Four species including this Ringneck are well established meaning they are breeding at several locations and have sustainable populations. This is happening in many other places where the climate is right for this great family. Like most invaders, the locals are probably not appreciating it!

Here's an article in the Independent about invasive species in the UK.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environ...fe-399433.html

BTW when posting an image could you make sure it fits the BPN size limits of max. of 1024 wide x max. of 800 high. Thanks!

[PeterCollins]

Hi John, that makes alot of sense actually, there was a good 15-20 birds in the flock making one heck of a racket!

Lived next to these woods for 4 years and first time I have seen them, interesting, might have to go nest hunting (from a safe distance ofc)

Re the image, it was such a major crop i didnt think to check the dimensions :o sorry about that

[Dave Hassell]

The Ring-necked Parakeet is the United Kingdom’s only naturalised parrot and a lot more information can be found on the website of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
www.rspb.org.uk
www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/ringneckedparakeet/index.aspx
www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/species/nonnative/index.asp
They are a very welcome, colourful and common visitor to my garden but unfortunately some people are talking about culling them and our Government are carrying out a risk assessment into any adverse impacts they may have on our native species.
Dave Hassell.

[John Chardine]

Thanks for the information Dave.

What does "naturalised" mean in the context you used it?

[Dave Hassell]

Hello John,
As far as I understand the naturalised comment used by the RSPB, they mean an introduced species that is breeding freely in the wild and does not need any further introduction to sustain the population.
I will contact the RSPB and ask them for their official definition but I won’t expect an early answer.
Dave Hassell.

[John Chardine]

Hi Dave- There are other species of parrot that now breed in the UK, in particular the Monk Parakeet, but I would agree that the Ring-necked Parakeet is the most established at present. I imagine the Monk is also established as it seems to be pretty invasive wherever it gets to.

[William Malacarne]

Monk Parakeets, aka: Quaker Parrots, are illegal to own in California and a few other States due to the fact they are considered an agriculture pest and can establish flocks very easily. If authorites find you have one they will confiscate it immediately.

Bill

[john jackson]

John

You have overestimated the UK parrot situation. Ring-necked Parakeet is common in parts of South-east England after escaped associated with large-scale importation in the 1960s. Sometimes Alexandrine (sp?) has been found with RNPs and may breed. Monk has bred, but is not established. There used to be two colonies of Budgies (London and Isles of Scilly) but they died out. Others escape (some regularly) but do not breed.

John

[John Chardine]

I probably have John. Thanks for the update.