These ring-necked parakeets have become naturalised in the UK and there are breeding colonies throughout Great Britain. They are striking birds, but also noisy and aggressive and deter smaller resident birds from feeding. As a result I believe they are now on the list of birds for which licensed culls can be authorised where they are becoming dominant.
Many thanks for all your comments and favs over recent days; very much appreciated.
Superb action shot Peter, as far as I know we don't have a problem with them here in Rutland YET. These birds are becoming very dominant in some areas to the extent of endangering our own natural species, like most creatures that have been let loose in this country ie grey squirrel, mink etc. They should be got rid of completely and yes I know that will be a very controversial comment.
As an Aussie, we nearly fell over backwards when we first saw these in our daughters backyard in Ealing many years ago as I was certain that there were no parrots in England. One of the stories we heard was that they were used in filming by Ealing Studio and then released when they had finished.
They are now constant visitors to our daughters back yard in her new place in Ealing and while they may be from Africa, she welcomes them as they remind her of home.
@terryliv Thanks for the comment and follow. Yes, the "African Queen" story is widespread, but I'm not sure anyone really knows. I believe parrots and other foreign birds have been regularly traded back here for at least a couple of hundred years, and the Victorians are supposed to have had a penchant for anything exotic, so who knows? 😁
Ian
fav
They are now constant visitors to our daughters back yard in her new place in Ealing and while they may be from Africa, she welcomes them as they remind her of home.
Much to my surprise, saw a small group flying in formation down the Uxbridge Road (also in Ealing!) a few years back :D