Ring - necked or rose - ringed parakeet

Habitat:

• The species is found mostly in urban or suburban habitats, such as parkland
• Large trees with natural cavities are required for nesting
• Extensive use is made of bird feeders throughout the year

Description:

• A large green parakeet, around 40cm tall, with a bright red beak and a long tapering tail making up nearly half the body length
• A wingspan of 42-48cm and weighing 93-139g
• Males have a black chinstrap with a pink hind collar and a blue sheen on their head and tail
• Females have a pale green collar
• Parakeets are strong and confident fliers, but are non-migratory
• The species’ habit of communal roosting involves some birds in daily roosting flights of 15 km or more
• Birds appear to be reluctant to venture beyond commuting range to a roost
• They are dependent on large tree-holes as nesting cavities
• Three to six eggs are laid, and an average 1.9 chicks are raised per nesting attempt
• This species draws attention by its frequent loud screeching calls

Origin and Distribution:

• Large native range - native across central Africa from west to east and has separate populations that occur from Afghanistan east through northern India to Myanmar

Potential/Known impacts:

• This species is known to breed as early as January , and there can be two broods per season - could outcompete native species
• However, the species currently appears to have little ecosystem impact
• The only natural predators thought likely to pose a threat are the sparrowhawk
• Can be a nuisance from extensive use of bird feeders throughout the year
• In its native range in India, rose-ringed parakeet is considered one of the most destructive bird pests of agriculture, for example reducing maize yields
• In GB, the species can damage fruit trees and has been reported to have reduced the output of a vineyard to only one sixth of the expected wine production (Hamilton 2004)
• Rose-ringed parakeets can carry diseases such as Newcastle disease, Avian bird flu and Cryptosporidium that also infect poultry, and might have impacts also on that industry
• Large flocks can also become a noise nuisance

Is it found in Northern Ireland?:

• Yes, so far in small numbers to date between pairs and up to a group of 8 (not confirmed)

How did it get here:

• The origin of the population in Northern Ireland is unknown but in Britain, it is suspected that the pathway of introduction may have been the pet trade and both the accidental and the deliberate release of birds from captivity

Further Resources:

• Article from Wings Spring 2021 - Are parakeets becoming a problem? (in Ireland)

Current Legislative Position 

• Not listed on Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as amended or the Species of Union Concern but both legislations make it an offence to allow any species not normally resident in Northern Ireland to escape

Research

• Bird feeders may sustain feral Rose-ringed parakeets Psittacula krameri in temperate Europe

Species Related Files:

RA_Psittacula_krameri_Ring-necked_Parakeet