DID YOU KNOW

The word ‘Parakeet’ is derivative of the French word ‘paraquet’ meaning parrot, but interestingly, the French word for ‘parakeet’ is perruche.

Parrots breeding in London

Ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameria) grew from four birds nesting in 1998 to 51 total birds in 2006 but has since declined drastically. All populations showed a similar pattern, but their spread is thought to have been thwarted by a DEFRA initiative to capture and rehome the birds, whilst removing eggs and nests. Although this response had little public support and cost an estimated £260,000, it did stop the spread of this invasive species successfully. The monk parakeet is highly invasive and is naturalised in 14 countries across five continents. Blue-crowned conures (Aratinga acuticaudata) were also reported to be nesting in London with the highest count in 1995 reaching 15 birds, although no juveniles were sighted since. Being a longlived species, reaching a lifespan of up to 31 years in captivity, it is highly possible these animals just adapted extremely well. Legislative changes also meant the availability of this species as a pet, plummeted. With the price of blue-crowned conures increasing and the animals becoming scarcer, it is highly likely this had a positive impact on keeper attitudes towards security and general care of this species.