Rose-ringed parakeets

rona · #1 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 09:31 PM

Have just noticed some of these around my area. I don't know much about them but realise they can become a problem.
There are five at the moment.
Can anyone tell me about them?
I believe they are now classed as pests and can be controlled

david156 · #2 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 09:43 PM

Hi.

If I remember rightly, in 2007 there was about 30,000 in the London area and their numbers were expected to double by then end of next year. I think at the time the RSPB were monitering them to see how they were affecting local bird populations through competition for food and nesting sites. Don't know what the current situation is though.

David.

rona · #3 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 09:45 PM

I had heard that they are wrecking some orchards in Kent

david156 · #4 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 10:01 PM

Just found this on the web:

"Economic Impact
Rose-ringed Parakeet is considered by some to be the worst avian pest in its native range. It is a major crop pest in India, damaging grain products and fruits and, in one study, reducing the yield of maize crops by up to 81%. It is also a pest of sunflower, dates and other fruit orchard crops."

Don't know if there is a cull on or if there's talk of one. They are culling Ruddy Duck in this country to save white headed ducks in spain. I suppose if their population numbers get too large and they affect too many crops they'll start culling these too.

rona · #5 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 10:09 PM

They must now be spreading from their main flock sites, which must mean that their numbers are getting well out of hand.
The ones I've seen are about 20+ miles from either London or Kent

rona · #6 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 10:13 PM

Found this
Defra, UK - Science Search

david156 · #7 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 10:19 PM

According to the BBC there are flocks in the Birmingham area.
I haven't seen any up here in norfolk but apparently there is a winter roost at Holkham Gap.

This is from the RSPB.

"Parakeets have been popular pets since the Victorian times, and inevitably, many birds have escaped or been deliberately released over the years. Despite their tropical origin, the parakeets are fully able to cope with the cold British winters, especially in suburban parks, large gardens, and orchards, where food supply is more reliable.

Despite good numbers of parakeets living in the wild for a long time, and apart from an isolated incidence in Norfolk in 1855, they only started to breed in 1969 in Kent, south-east of London. Since then the population has steadily increased, currently numbers over 5,000 individuals, and is still growing.

Even though Greater London and surrounding areas is still its stronghold, the species has been recorded in almost every county in England, and has reached Wales and the Scottish borders."

rona · #8 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 10:35 PM

Quite worrying isn't it?
They are so noisy too

david156 · #9 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rona

Quite worrying isn't it?
They are so noisy too

Sorry, dont know how noisy they are. Have seen lots of scarce and rare birds but have never seen one of these!

Will have to keep my eyes open!

aeshna5 · #10 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 06:41 AM

They are not being culled as in the case of the Ruddy Duck. They are now on a General License which means a license can be applied for to control them where they are being a proven pest, so there are no plans yet for a general cull or anyone with a gun can just start legally shooting them.

Despite the rapidly growing numbers in the London area there's very little evidence of any significant impacts on native birds, though that could change in the future.