A Parakeet spotted in Bangor could be feral and living quite happily in the wild.
The bird was spotted on the junction of Ffriddoedd Road and Trem Elidir in Bangor a few days ago and an appeal was launched on Facebook to find its owner.
Following the appeal several people have reported other sightings of a Parakeet in Bangor and some have suggested it might be feral.
Wild parakeets that have become a fixture of many cities across the UK over the last 25 years. Since establishing a base in London’s parks, the birds have spread to other UK cities including Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester and even Glasgow – the most northerly flock in the world.
The birds first made it to the UK in the late 19th century but it was not until recent decades that the population exploded. The number of parakeets grew by 1,455% between 1995 and 2015 and there are now around 50,000 in the wild.
The species is native to tropical Africa and southern Asia, especially the Indian sub-continent. In the past it was popular in the pet trade and feral populations have now become established worldwide, founded by escaped and/or released pets. Being originally from warmer climes, escaped birds are attracted to towns and cities because of the milder micro-climates they support.
The Parakeet is a bird that cannot easily be confused with any wild bird found in the UK. It is a slim-bodied parrot, green in colour with a bright red, parrot-like bill and a very long and very narrow tail. It is more than twice the size of any of our native greenish finches and has a very different, upright body shape and stance
Experts are now concerned the so-called ‘posh pigeons’ will wipe out other bird species because they compete for the same nest holes and food. Populations of woodpeckers, starlings and nuthatches are all thought to have suffered due to the rapid rise of the parakeets.
The UK Government is now considering a cull of the birds because of the threat they pose to native wildlife. The population of the bright green birds has rocketed in recent years, earning them the nickname the ‘grey squirrels of the sky’ amid fears their presence may wipe out other species including rare bats. Government officials are now considering a potential cull – the first time the ring-necked parakeets have been targeted, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Main Photo (Top): Derek Midwinter
