Has the accidental introduction of the colourful ring-necked parakeet to the British Isles been welcome or are they a pest we could do without?
A study in the journal NeoBiota examines UK residents' complex views on the brightly coloured ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri), an introduced species now common in urban and rural areas.
The UK hosts the largest non-native population of ring-necked parakeets in Europe, with an estimated 12,000 breeding pairs. The study, conducted by researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Exeter, the University of Brighton, and the British Trust for Ornithology, looked at concerning issues associated with this species, including competition with native birds, noise, and unknown ecosystem impacts.
Titled Not in the countryside please! Investigating UK residents’ perceptions of an introduced species, the ring-necked parakeet, the study centred around an online survey of 3,947 residents.
Interestingly, it revealed 90.2% of residents have a high awareness of the parakeet, however only a low percentage of respondents (7.80%) were happy to have them in their neighbourhoods.
It transpires there was a notable difference in perceptions regarding the parakeet’s presence in urban versus rural areas, with a preference for keeping the vibrant birds out of rural areas to preserve the perceived purity of these ecosystems. Although urban areas saw greater acceptance, as parakeets are seen to enhance the surroundings.
What impact do ring necked parakeets have on our native wildlife?
Common concerns raised in the study include potential competition with native bird species, noise levels, and unknown impacts on local ecosystems.
Parakeets are adaptable feeders and exploit various food sources, including garden bird feeders. Their presence can deter smaller native birds from accessing food.
They also compete for nesting sites with native species like nuthatches and woodpeckers. Although there is no strong evidence of significant harm to UK wildlife, further study is needed.
On a global scale, ring-necked parakeets are successful all over the world, found in 35 countries outside their native range. In some regions, they cause significant agricultural damage and threaten wildlife.
Can anything be done to control ring neck parakeets?
While control programs exist for other parakeet species, such as the monk parakeet, similar measures are not planned for ring-necked parakeets in the UK. They are seen as established residents with no significant impact on local wildlife so far.
However, opinion is divided as to the action required:
Hazel Jackson, a senior researcher at the University of Kent and co-founder of ParrotNet, (a European network of scientists, practitioners and policy-makers dedicated to research on invasive parrots), believes the parakeets pose urgent challenges in terms of agriculture, society, and the environment.
In contrast, Chris D. Thomas from the University of York argues against indiscriminate control of non-native species, emphasising the importance of assessing impacts over origins.
And of course, there are the residents who took part in the original ParrotNet research paper, who 'love' the parakeets as they 'bring an enormous sense of wellbeing', and are 'charismatic, beautiful, exotic.'
These conflicting views show the complex challenge of managing the growing parakeet populations across the UK.