Ring-necked parakeets bring a splash of green to parks and gardens across the country. Discover this surprising success story and learn how to identify these emerald acrobats.
What are ring-necked parakeets?
The UK's only naturalised parrot, ring-necked parakeets, (Psittacula krameri), are medium-sized, vibrantly coloured birds.
Commonly called ring-necked, they are also known as rose-ringed parakeets, referring to the colouring around the male's neck.
How to identify a ring-necked parakeet:
These exotic parrots have distinctive features, so they’re easy to identify. Look for a medium-sized, bright green bird with a very long, pointed tail and a bright red beak. They’re also often seen in noisy flocks.
You’ve spotted a male if it has a thin black and pink collar around the neck.
Where are ring-necked parakeets from?
They are originally from Africa and southern Asia.
How did parakeets end up in the UK?
The story of the ring-necked parakeets is a surprising success story in the UK. Originally introduced as exotic pets, which later escaped or were released.
It turns out that our climate is ideal for them, especially as they were already adapted to cooler climates.
The first confirmed breeding pairs were recorded in London and Kent in the late 1960s, making them the most northerly breeding parrots in the world.
However, their impact on the native ecosystem is debated, with some concerns about competition with native birds for food and nest sites.
We examine the controversial issues surrounding ring-necked parakeets and ask whether these exotic parrots are a welcome visitor or possible nuisance.
How many ring-necked parakeets are in the UK?
The British Trust for Ornithology estimates around 12,000 breeding pairs, and their numbers are likely growing.
What do ring-necked parakeets eat?
Opportunistic feeders, ring-necked parakeets adapt their diet to what's available. High on their list of favourite snacks are fruits, berries, flowers and buds, as well as seeds, and nuts, which means they seek out garden bird feeders and put-off other species from feeding.
They're also known to be cheeky, grabbing scraps of food left outdoors, especially in parks.
What's the lifespan of a ring-necked parakeet?
Experts estimate the lifespan of wild ring-necked parakeets to be around 10-15 years on average.
Where do ring-necked parakeets roost?
Ring-necked parakeets in the UK are social creatures and roost communally at night for warmth and safety. They favour tall trees with cavities or dense foliage that provide shelter and protection from predators like mature trees in parks and gardens, wooded areas and large cemeteries.
Where can you see ring-necked parakeets in the UK?
As they have adapted so well to urban environments, ring-neck parakeets can be seen in parks and gardens across the country.
Their raucous calls and bright green plumage make them easy to spot, especially if you're in a park with mature trees. The best times to go looking for them is around dusk and dawn when they're most active.
Here are some of the best places to see them:
- London: The capital city is a hotspot for ring-necked parakeets, with large populations in Richmond Park, Hither Green Cemetery, and even around the city centre.
- Southeast England: Many towns and cities in the southeast have established parakeet populations, including Brighton, Bristol, and Cambridge.
- Around the UK: Reports of ring-necked parakeets are increasing in other parts of the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow.
Find out more
Check out our expert guides to Britain's rarest birds and if birds benefitting from climate change today may struggle tomorrow, as well as our round up of the best food for feeding wild birds.