Parakeets guilty of intimidating garden birds - study

27 May 2011
By Victoria Gill
Science reporter, BBC Nature

An increasingly ubiquitous visitor to English gardens, ring-necked parakeets divide opinion. For some, they are are exotic and colourful visitors. For others, a gaudy, noisy nuisance.

Now researchers say that they intimidate more familiar garden birds.

A team from Imperial College London has evidence that parakeets deter songbirds from using garden feeders.

The team says that reducing or managing the parakeet population "might be beneficial for song birds".

There are now an estimated 31,000 parakeets in the UK - mostly in and around London and south-east England. And the latest "parakeet census" shows that their numbers are increasing at an average of 23% per year.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the UK's only naturalised parrot is becoming an agricultural pest, particularly for fruit-growers in the South East. But this study, led by PhD student Hannah Peck, is the first to apply a scientific method to find out what effect the parakeets have on garden birds.

She and her team looked specifically at feeding behaviour. They set up their experiment in 47 different gardens - putting a caged parakeet on a stand next to a garden feeder and filming the feeder to record what birds came to visit.

The scientists recorded the activity at the feeding station when the caged parakeet was present and when an empty cage was on the stand.

"We typically get blue tits and great tits on the feeders and so far the results have shown that they are more reluctant to feed when a parakeet is present," said Ms Peck.

"This is likely to be true for the other small birds too, such as coal tits, long tailed tits, greenfinches and goldfinches, but as we got such small numbers of these other species it will be difficult to tell from our data."

This is the first evidence for a negative impact of the parakeets' presence on native birds and Ms Peck will be presenting her findings at a British Ecological Society meeting on invasive species in June.

Garden parrot

The birds' native patch is in the Himalayas. But their adaptation to the cold - along with the plethora of lovingly topped-up peanut feeders in suburban gardens - appears to be helping them to thrive in the UK.

Ring-necked parakeets have also been introduced elsewhere in Europe. One recent study by researchers in Belgium investigated whether the parrots, which nest in tree cavities, were driving native nuthatches out of those same sites.

Although they found some competition for the nesting holes, the Belgian researchers concluded that parakeets would have a very limited impact on the country's nuthatch population.

The RSPB points out that there is, as yet, no published evidence to show that UK songbirds are affected by ring-necked parakeets.

Grahame Madge from the RSPB says that house sparrows and starlings are the only songbirds of conservation concern whose ranges overlap with the parakeets. And that they might simply be finding food elsewhere.

"Supplementary feeding for these species may be important," he told BBC Nature. "[But] we believe... insect-rich areas of grass and areas rich in seeds will provide the opportunities they need."

But the fact that they scare garden birds away from feeders is likely to enhance the parakeets' reputation as an invasive menace.

Ms Peck said: "We are not yet in a position to make a fair judgement on how best to manage the parakeet population but we hope that our research over the next couple of years will provide evidence for policy makers to do so."

Ironically, the fact that the population of parakeets is now so high means that it would be very difficult and very expensive to cull them, particularly as they live mainly in urban and suburban areas.

"In the long term, other birds might just get used to the parakeets," said Ms Peck.

Mr Madge concluded: "It is important that the spread of the ring-necked parakeet is monitored, and that studies like this one continue to investigate the potential impacts on our native wildlife."

A full report about the decline in British songbirds will feature on Countryfile on Sunday 29 May, 1900BST, BBC One

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/13524396

Mystery bird: brown-throated parakeet, Aratinga pertinax

Brown-throated parakeet, Aratinga pertinax (protonym,
Psittacus pertinax), also known by aviculturists as the
brown-throated conure (pronounced "con YUR"),
photographed at Cartagena, Colombia (South America).

Image: Kevin Sharp [velociraptorize].

This small South American mystery bird is unusual among its relatives because it prefers to nest in termite nests that are located in trees

Question: This common South American mystery bird has a very unusual nesting behaviour compared to other species in the same taxonomic group. What is that behaviour? Can you name this species?

Response: This is a brown-throated parakeet, Aratinga pertinax, a small monomorphic parrot. This small South American parrot is identified by its long pointed tail, powerful hooked bill that is blackish grey in colour and primarily green plumage. The head has variable amounts of brown or orange, and the eye-ring and forehead colours are also variable. Based on these plumage differences, there are 14 recognised subspecies of this widespread parrot. Further, there are three geographically disjunct populations. One of these disjunct populations occurs in Panama and Costa Rica and is sometimes elevated to full species status, A. ocularis -- commonly known as the Veraguas parakeet.

The brown-throated parakeet has been introduced into a number of Caribbean islands, particularly St Thomas where it appears to be doing well, which explains the etymology of several of its alternate common names; the Caribbean or St Thomas parakeet.

The brown-throated parakeet is unusual among the Aratinga because in the wild, it typically nests in a termite mound located in a tree. It will also nest rock crevices and will burrow in banks when an arboreal termitarium is not available. This species accepts wooden nest boxes and breeds readily in captivity. Domestically-bred and raised individuals make intelligent and affectionate pets.

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/may/08/5

Wild parakeets could be culled before their population runs 'out of control'

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:17 PM on 25th April 2011

Parakeets living wild in Britain could be culled because they pose a threat to native wildlife and are damaging food crops.

The green, yellow and grey birds are originally from South America but are living wild in the south of England after being released from captivity in the 90s.

But conservationists have called on the animals to be rehomed rather than shot.

Only 100 to 150 of the 30cm tall bird live in the UK, mainly in the Home Counties, but the decision has been taken to exterminate them.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: 'Control work is being carried out as part of a Defra initiative to counter the potential threat monk parakeets pose to critical national infrastructure, crops and native British wildlife.

'This invasive species has caused significant damage in other countries through nesting and feeding activity and we are taking action now to prevent this happening in the UK.'

But a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds told the Daily Telegraph: 'They (parakeets) have the potential to expand rapidly and could pose a threat to agriculture and public safety because of the nests causing structural problems to the electricity supply.

'But we do not believe they should be shot.'

Unlike its relative the ring-necked parakeet, which is the UK's only naturalised parrot, the doomed species builds huge communal nests.

Identified by its green upperparts, yellowish belly, pale grey face and breast and pale bill, the monk parakeets also make raucous calls.

In America, nests built on electricity utility structures have been known to cause power cuts, particularly when they become wet from rain.

Extensive damage to crops has also been reported in both North and South America.

The Defra spokesman added: "Non-native invasive species deprive the British economy of £1.7 billion every year."

Later, Defra said culling the birds would only be a last resort.

A spokesman said: "Where possible the control measures will mean trapping the birds and rehousing them safely, or moving their nests.

'Only if these measures are unsuccessful or not appropriate will a culling of some Monk Parakeets be considered.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1380273/UK-parakeets-culled-population-runs-control.html

Scorpions and parakeets 'found living wild in UK' (Via Lindsay Selby)

Scorpions, parakeets and turtles have all been found living wild in the UK, according to a new study.

The study, led by the University of Hull, studied sightings and population numbers for creatures introduced into Britain over the last 150 years.

It found 13,000 yellow-tailed scorpions and between 30,000 and 50,000 ring-necked parakeets in south-east England. About 10 coatis, which are also known as Brazilian aardvarks, and about 20 snapping turtles were also found.

Breeding population

The coatis, which are members of the racoon family and hail from North America, are thought to be living wild in Cumbria. The snapping turtles, also from North America, are believed to be living in parts of Kent, London, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

The scorpions originate from north-west Africa and southern Europe and the ring-necked parakeets come from Africa and Asia. Report author Dr Toni Bunnell, of the University of Hull, said it was thought some of the animals had originally been kept as pets but were released when their owners could no longer look after them.

"If you get enough turfed out in the same area and they can survive and the habitat suits them, then you have got a breeding population. That seems to be what's happening." She added that other species were thought to have escaped from private collections.

The report was commissioned by the Eden television channel.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humberside/10365422.stm

Golfing parrot takes YouTube by storm

A sporty parrot who plays golf and basketball has become an internet hit.
The parrot, called AJ, can be seen putting a golf ball, slam dunking a basketball and performing gymnastic routines.

Thousands of fans have watched the sporting all-rounder demonstrate his prowess in a series of clips on video sharing website YouTube.

The green and yellow parrot's personal trainer offers encouragement from the sidelines with comments such as "good bird" and "good job."

And the bird psyches himself up for the challenge by repeating: "Put the ball in the basket. Put the ball in the basket."

The Indian Ringneck Parakeet starts his gymnastic routine by playing dead and jumping to his feet as a man out of view of the camera says: "get up".

The 18 year old parrot rolls over sideways and climbs onto his trainer's finger, which he uses as a high bar to perform more remarkable stunts.

As the trainer says "do a flip" and "turn around" the obedient parrot rolls over the finger using his feet to grip. He then balances and turns on the spot.

He finishes the routine by offering a claw to shake hands.

The parrot leaves the gymnasium and heads to a miniature golf course where he holds a club in his beak and swings at a ball.

The ball rolls smoothly across the green, avoiding the bunkers, and falls into the hole - possibly for a birdie.

Eager AJ picks the ball out of the hole and hands it to his trainer.

He then plays the ball again to demonstrate his previous effort was not a fluke.

Taking a miniature yellow basketball in his beak, the parrot climbs a ladder onto a table with court markings and a basketball net and backboard at one end.

He repeats his trainer's command to "put the ball in the basket" and slams the ball through the hoop for two points.

The video finishes with AJ looking at the camera with a sense of pride at what he has achieved.

Owner Dave Cota, of Florida, USA, said he believed AJ was the most sporty bird in the world. The 40 year old, an entrepreneur who has worked in the sports industry, said: "It seems that he can play anything I show him.

"I have had him since he was very young and he just loves to play sports.

"I have had no trouble trianing him at all - he is very special.

"He even tells himself to do his own tricks before doing them.

"AJ certainly loves golf. I would say that is his favourite sport and he even watches it on television."

AJ even has a custom-built golf course which cost around 2,000 pounds.

Dave added: "He also has his own custom-made golf clubs and bag. It cost a lot but it's worth it because he likes doing it so much."

One viewer, called davna90, loved the bird's sporting exploits.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Golfing_parrot_takes_YouTube_by_storm&in_article_id=584920&in_page_id=34