Ring-necked Parakeet

Ring Necked Parakeet Ring Necked Parakeet Peter O'Connor used with Creative Commons License

Ring-necked parakeet (psittacula krameri)

These very loud, bright green birds have been visiting the garden for several years now. You usually hear them before you see them, and it sounds like you could be in a lovely hot tropical country. They are normally found in Africa and southern Asia.

According to research published by scientists in 2019, they started breeding in the wild in the UK in the 1950s from pet birds that were released or escaped. Worldwide, ring-necked parakeets have now spread across 34 countries on 5 continents. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) thinks there are currently about 8,600 breeding pairs in Britain alone.

In the wild they eat fruits, nuts, berries and seeds but they have adapted to their habitat and in towns they’ll also eat kitchen scraps and meat.

They like to nest in hollow trees and have been seen in flocks of up to 50 near here.

Read 2338 times Last modified on Thursday, 17 November 2022 10:50
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5 comments

  • Comment Link John Eglintine Monday, 18 July 2022 11:24 posted by John Eglintine

    Saw and heard a flock of seven or eight flying overhead at Summerhill bowls club. Last week. Quite a sight

  • Comment Link Tracey Thursday, 23 September 2021 13:22 posted by Tracey

    About 20 + flew over central motorway last week ,was a great sight .

  • Comment Link Tony Campbell Saturday, 05 June 2021 05:37 posted by Tony Campbell

    I have counted 18 in the Walker area and witnessed 3 breeding pairs.

  • Comment Link Katherine Monday, 01 March 2021 05:46 posted by Katherine

    They are daring to come out of Gosforth nature reserve and into the trees alongside the houses in Melton park. I have seen a pair twice this weekend at the top of an oak tree in the street. I did it know anything about them so it was a lovely surprise.

  • Comment Link Jude Monday, 08 February 2021 12:11 posted by Jude

    Saw at least 6 parakeets on 3 days end of January in St John's cemetary in Elswick.

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