Parakeet

[jambutty]

I was out walking my dog the night before last when I heard a bird cry I didn't recognise and as I looked up I saw a lovely green bird, which I think was a parakeet, flying towards some feeders that were hanging outside an upstairs flat. It stayed there for ages, so I had a good look at it. I have never seen such a bird in the wild before, are they quite common now or could it have escaped?

[dannyk13]

They are quite common in the South of England.

[dannyk13]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3764383/Should-cull-squawking-parakeets-50-000-threatening-British-birds-gobbling-crops-breeding-like-crazy.html

[jambutty]

Thanks danny, I find that very interesting. What a shame they are now regarded as a pest. I live in the north and that is the first one I have ever seen, but I suspect if there is one, there will no doubt be others! I will be looking out for them now.

[EDDIE51]

Yes, there are swarms of them. They breed fast here, our climate suits them. As said, they eat so much they are becoming a pest.

[Maydup]

There was an interesting report on them on countryfile a couple of weeks ago. You might be interested to watch.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=parakeet

[murraymints]

had them..and wallabys..on my golf course in Norwich

[Baldric]

About a year ago, before we purchased the home we are in now, we looked at a large bungalow in Cliffsend on East Kent Coast.
It looked promising, 'til we went in the back garden, I don't think I have seen a denser population of Parakeets anywhere, we didnt buy.

[Chipchopper]

I remember when I first saw a ring neck parakeet, I thought how wonderful.
The trouble is, they are competing with our native birds, not just for food but for nesting sites (tree holes) etc too.
I can't remember the last time I saw a nuthatch.

[jambutty]

I thought it was wonderful chip. I haven't seen it since, nor any others, so maybe it was an escapee and may not fare well on its own with the native birds. Poor thing, can't help being a parakeet!