Parakeet in the Garden!

[jaelen]

I know a lot of people aren't keen on them, but I have to admit I find them fascinating- so I was quite thrilled this morning when one visited our feeders for the first time ever.

The starlings weren't so happy- but it was interesting how they kept their distance... usually they're gleefully knocking one another off the feeders, but all they did was move to another feeder and left the parakeet to the square suet block, which is their preferred favourite.

He seemed a bit frustrated with the squirrel-proof feeder, but tucked into the suet block once the starlings moved over to the fat-ball feeder... so very acrobatic! It was entertaining to watch him hanging under the feeder, and upside down just as easily.

The pics aren't great- I was shooting through a double-glazed window, (offering up prayers of gratitude to the patron saint of rechargeable batteries for not letting them go flat in the weeks since they've been charged!) but I'm just so chuffed to finally have some decent parakeet photos... this is the closest I think I've ever been to one.

[loripo]

They are fun to watch and after a few generations now 'recognise' feeders. They also like India bean trees and the way they strip the beans from the pods is admirable
They do seem to loathe pigeons and give them the evil eye, which can't be bad!

[willowjay]

I'm very jealous! Here on the south coast I have only seen one in the last 8 years, and I've no idea where the nearest flock is, apart from London. I wish someone would send some down our way