[DreamKitty]

I don't know if it is just me but I have seen green parakeet sightings so many times, I first saw them in Richmond Park where I know there is so many but now in the mornings I hear a faint sharp Parakeet sound as if it is coming from quite far, I also have seen them in urban area, parks and near trees, sounds like a exotic rainforest and they are very loud so they take over the sound of other birds. It's like they have become as common as a pigeon sighting.

I just wanted to know, is it normal to now see exotic parakeets everywhere? or am I mistaking them for another bird lol also how did these parkeets come into Richmond Park?

[dslc]

(Original post by DreamKitty)
I don't know if it is just me but I have seen green parakeet sightings so many times, I first saw them in Richmond Park where I know there is so many but now in the mornings I hear a faint sharp Parakeet sound as if it is coming from quite far, I also have seen them in urban area, parks and near trees, sounds like a exotic rainforest and they are very loud so they take over the sound of other birds. It's like they have become as common as a pigeon sighting.

I just wanted to know, is it normal to now see exotic parakeets everywhere? or am I mistaking them for another bird lol also how did these parkeets come into Richmond Park?

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/__docum...rdsinfoweb.pdf
I think it's maybe a Greenfinch?

[redferry]

No they are parakeets.
Parakeets have lived in Britain, especially around London, for years.

Actually in 2010 they were the species of bird with the biggest increase in population size in the UK

We have some in Birmingham too. They come and feed at our bird table

Basically irresponsible pet owners have released them over the years and they have become an established invasive species. DEFRA like to go out and shoot them, unfortunately, despite the fact they do not harm the British ecosystem in any way.

[dslc]

(Original post by redferry)
No they are parakeets.
Parakeets have lived in Britain, especially around London, for years.

Actually in 2010 they were the species of bird with the biggest increase in population size in the UK

We have some in Birmingham too. They come and feed at our bird table

Basically irresponsible pet owners have released them over the years and they have become an established invasive species. DEFRA like to go out and shoot them, unfortunately, despite the fact they do not harm the British ecosystem in any way.

I have never been fortunate enough to see one - lucky you!

[redferry]

(Original post by dslc)
I have never been fortunate enough to see one - lucky you!

Where do you live? Might just not be established in your area/they all got shot by DEFRA

[MissBlueskys]

I live near Richmond Park and I have seen Parakeets all my life around here. I never really thought they an odd thing to see in England until one of my teachers starting telling us stories about how they got here (like escaped when in transfer to a zoo)

[Mayden]

It'll be an indian ringneck parakeet.

[JollyGreenAtheist]

I thought this was a thread about some poor teen with psychosis. I'm quite relieved.

It's odd, but yes, I believe there's a large parakeet population in London.

[tory88]

Very common where I live (SE London), they tend to nest in local parks.

[Pandabär]

There's loads of green parakeets in parks in South London. They've been there for years.

[Pandabär]

(Original post by redferry)
DEFRA like to go out and shoot them, unfortunately, despite the fact they do not harm the British ecosystem in any way.

Seriously? If they're not harming anything then that's a bit excessive. I love seeing them in the park. Better than stupid old pigeons anyday.

[Schott]

It is argued they are destructive to some crops, and detrimentally compete with other British birds for food resources (possible, but also different to prove conclusively.

Personally however, I quite like the idea of having Indian Ringneck Parakeets in Britain. I think it's quite nice and exotic to have species from India in our back gardens, providing the damage is limited. There are also Quaker(/Monk) Parakeet populations in Britain too. A lot of other parrot species have escaped but find it difficult to survive the winters here, as they are often without shelter. Indian Ringnecks are particularly hardy however.

For a parakeet they're actually pretty large. I've got one as a pet (captive bred), but he's blue rather than green. Here's a 9 minute BBC documentary on the UK parakeet invasion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KsdJym5AOo

[simibean]

I live in this west london, there are loads of parkeets in this area because..Ealing film studios released about 100 of these birds out a few years back.

[Schott]

And here's a photo or two of him.