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Cull of the parakeets
By Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard Last updated at 13:08pm on 21.03.07
Growing problem: the population of the rose-ringed parakeet in London and the South-East has swelled to about 30,000, threatening indigenous species
Flocks of parakeets which have colonised parks and back gardens in south-west London, Surrey and Kent could be culled.
The move, backed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, is prompted by fears that the estimated 30,000 invaders from India and sub-Saharan Africa are putting indigenous birds at risk.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said today that gamekeepers could be licensed to shoot or poison the roseringed parakeets to protect native species such as woodpeckers, owls, starlings and robins that have to compete for food and nesting space.
Other options for controlling the numbers - parakeets are now in the top 20 of the most-spotted birds in the UK - include introducing a predator or a virus to kill them off.
A Defra spokeswoman said: "We are looking at ways of working with the RSPB and others to tackle this problem. We have commissioned the Central Science Laboratory to do a desk study of available parakeet data to get a fuller
picture of the issues." RSPB spokesman Tim Webb said the parakeet population was at a worrying level and a cull would be the safest way to reduce it.
However, he added: "The idea of introducing another species or a virus to control the population of the parakeet is an absolute no-no.
"Our indigenous species eat the same foods, share the same environment and would have no resistance to any introduced species or virus. Poisoning would be too blunt an instrument and could result in the deaths of native birds."
Mr Webb said that, at 16 inches long, a parakeet was larger than many garden species so shooting them "should not prove too difficult". But he added: "Of course, many people would be distressed to see any animal shot.
"It would have to be done sensitively, if possible, but the problem is that these birds like to hang out in people's gardens so the cull could be a very public affair."
Ecologist Tony Drakeford, who lives close to Bushy Park, where the number of parakeets has increased by 30 per cent in the past year alone, said: "They are very pretty and exotic birds but are having a serious impact on our woodland tree-crevice nesters.
"There is no rightful place or ecological niche for these birds."
Mr Drakeford predicted the parakeet population would treble by the end of the decade if action was not taken.
He said: "Something needs to be done with immediate effect but the options are complicated. In the past we have managed to control the rapid growth of other wild animals. With Canada geese we pricked the eggs to prevent offspring and with grey squirrels we dished out the birth-control pill. But these types of solution just won't work for the parakeet. There will be a tremendous outcry if we cull them but it may be our only hope."
But Gary Wilcox, founder of charity Birdline UK Parrot Rescue, said: "To shoot or poison these beautiful creatures would be very cruel.
"They have lived here for 40 years and this is their home as much as it is home to any other species. I would be disgusted if a decision were made to slaughter them."
Parakeets can live for more than 30 years and nest high up in trees. They are robust and adaptable and have learned to survive our winters. They have an unmistakable squawk.
Where did they all come from?
The most common theory on how rose-ringed parakeets started breeding in the wild in the UK is that an entire flock escaped from Shepperton studios, Surrey, during the filming of The African Queen in 1951.
The film, which starred Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, right, used a variety of exotic birds and animals shipped in to recreate the jungle. It is thought around 20 birds vanished from an aviary on set.
Other suggestions are that a pair were released by Jimi Hendrix in Carnaby Street in the Sixties as a symbol of peace, or that they are the descendants of domestic pets which escaped their owners' cages.
Reader views (32)
there will always be fluctuations in bird species numbers due to climate change, and other environmental changes often inflicted by man. eg agricultural herbicides and fungicieds have already eliminated many wild plants and insects that live on them, forming part of the food chain. we have recently lost numerous bees due to mans' intervention with intensive farming issues. (since the 1950's) Perhaps we should allow nature itself to re-address the balance and equally humans should be less demanding of the earths resources and allow alll the variety of species to co-exist . we have already physically moved species from one land mass to another, whether plant or animal, so species on our land mass will gradually evolve. with climate changes, we will naturally lose some of the more fragile creatures whilst others with multiply - david bellamy, richard attenborough and Jonathon Porritt will no doubt have some ideas about this subjec ; ask the experts what they believe. Personally, culling healthy creatures is so terribly cruel. (problems with computer keys !!!) from and almost, life-long vegetarian - with enormous respect for our wonderful english environment and our amazing world. all creatures of the earth should be valued for their uniqueness , each and every one is essential !
- Rosamund, west sussex and london
NO OMG DON'T CULL THEM.
UGH.
THERE'S TOO MANY HUMANS AND NO ONE KILLS THEM.
WHY KILL THE PARAKEETS WHEN THEIR ONLY CRIME IS EATING TO LIVE?? 
so let's just not cull anything, god. they're, like, the light of my pet budgie's life.
- Essdee, Surrey
I cannot believe that ANYONE would support the culling of these beautiful birds. what a bunch of ethnic cleansers! I hate the way that people trot out completely xenophobic sentiments about animals that have immigrated into our country. The fact that they have adapted so well to our climate and vegetation makes me proud. They are a symbol of how well immigrants can do in our country, and seeing as it's unlikely they will manage to spread succesfully to the north of england let alone scotland, even if they do compete with native species in the south, they won't harm populations further north, and sorry anorac people they are SO much more beautiful that starlings or nuthatches!!!!!!
- Andy, haringey, London
They should not be culled in any way. They have become as much of a London tourist attraction as the ravens at the Tower of London.
- Keith Slater, Sudbury, Suffolk, UK
Malta has a large problem with illegal trappers and netting. Why not use their expertise with mist nets in catching these birds alive and then dealing with them humanely or transporting them to Australia or other tropics where they origininally came from. Public culling is not the answer.
- Pete Revell, Herne Bay Kent
I have recently been working in belvedere, i saw a few of these parakeets.
As i am an absoulute lover of these birds they should be left in peace.
why do they not deserve to live with us. People say they could affect our birds that have survived for many many years with us. I feel this is natures way they are here for a reason. Our population of different birds will survive, these birds will always addapt to there inviroment with or with out the parakeets as this is nature. I have 25 cockateils and over the years from watching them they will all ajust. I say let them live,we dont have any in westmalling but if they arrive they will be welcome.
- Karl Damms, west malling kent
There are some very valid points on both sides of this arguement and yes these are a beautiful bird, naturalised over the course of 40 odd years, but... people have to remember that the RSPB dont live in Epsom, Kensington, or Hanwell, they are seeing the wider picture from a vast area where these birds have populated. They have also been studying the impact for a long time and will have a much broader and level perspective on the matter, they are they experts and I would hope that a massive majority of their 1,000,040 odd members would feel the same, and would understand the effect they are having and will increasingly have on our native species many of which are already in decline at various levels.
I would fully support any action they take, I trust in their judgement and I would never ever cancel my membership to them.
Wouldn't really want to see them getting shot but if its neccesary to keep the balance for the native wildlife, so be it.
- Andy, Hayes
Every year in my garden woodpeckers feed on the peanuts & show their young how to feed themselves. There are also dozens of sparrows & starlings feeding in my garden. These birds are in no way affected by the parrakeets. They all exist harmonously. Parrakeets wait untill the other birds have finished before moving onth the nuts. & never stay long.
Just let them be.
- John Linsey, weybridge surrey england
Parakeets have recently moved into our gardens in East Dulwich and are an absolute menace.Their squawking is enough to drive anyone to drink. Action is needed now to restore our peace and quiet.
- Andrew Opie, London
Whining jealousy of the success of a species, human or non-human, is a unique British disease of those unsuccessful losers in our society.
- Graham Lawrence, Powys Wales
I thinkthey are beautiful and why shoot them or 'cull' I should thinkk the screeching that the Pinner schreeching comes fromthe Pinner residents - not the birds - that West London accent always was a bit annoying - yet we don't suggesting anything as drastic as Paul Morison's suggestion!
- Nikki Hill, London
Shoot the lot of them - asap.
I have seen the parakeet population increase in Pinner by about 35% per year for the last 5 years. The screeching drives everyone mad. Get rid of them, once and for all.
- Paul Morrison, Pinner, Middlesex. UK
They have lived here for 40 years and this is their home as much as it is home to any other species. I would be disgusted if a decision were made to slaughter them.
- Tariq Choudry, Sheffield
Come on guys ... let's keep the parakeets. Their colours are so much better than our woodpeckers and they'll soon make a good job of ousting them from their nest sites!
Why would anyone want to hear the sweet trill of a thrush when you can hear the wonderous squak of a parrot?
Who wants to see a blue tit on a feeder when you can have your pet parrot?
Get real folks.
Pauls comment may have been exagerated but numbers of parakeet are growing rapidly in this area and I, for one, would not like to see the numbers that are flying around London parks. Richmond park is almost void of almost any other bird!
It's people like you that released mink into the wild and seriously damaged our ground nesting wild bird population. A few birds can be cute, entertaining and yes, they are beautiful but please, please, please think of the long term effects on our countryside and wildlife.
- Sheena, Shere, Surrey
The Keets have arrived in Gomshall in their hundreds. Descending on our feeders scatttering all the birds in their way as they rip the plastic tops off the feeders. They are not welcome as a gang which terrorises the locals and I will not be encouraging them to stay. They are not indigenous to the UK and they will I fear seriously alter the balance of bird life in our gardens.
- Paul Wildash, Gomshall, Surrey
If you live where large flocks of these pests congregate it is noticeable that there are reduced numbers of all types of garden birds. Thrush, sparrow, chaffinch, blackbird in particular. I have seen flocks of 100+ parakeets swoop down on ripe fruit trees , beech trees . The noise is very unpleasant .
I m in favour of a robust cull of this green pest.
- Simon Dalton, Virginia Water UK
It is difficult to understand why anyone would even consider Parakeets to be a serious problem. It does not matter how they got to the UK. Has anyone noticed the major reduction of sparrows due to the major increase in starlings over the last twenty years or so? I hope the Parakeets who have already survived for thirty years in Surrey live long and in peace. It's about time the starlings had some serious competition. Parakeets live and nest in high trees. Starlings will nest just about anywhere and that includes your home. Starlings do not care much for your health. Sparrows will also nest in houses but they are a lot more quieter and cleaner too! The UK should welcome the Parakeets. Let nature decide. The only species that needs to be controlled is not the Parakeets but the starlings. Enough said.
- J. Ranpuria, Bedfordshire
Just looked on RSPB website and found these comments.
'The RSPB is not in favour of a cull of parakeets at this time'
Recent media coverage has suggested that a cull of ring-necked parakeets may be necessary, due to rapidly expanding numbers and concerns about their potential impact on native bird species, such as woodpeckers, starlings and nuthatches, through competition for nest holes.
However, there is currently no strong evidence to suggest that such impacts are occurring in the UK. The RSPB is not in favour of a cull of parakeets at this time. Defra, in conjunction with the devolved administrations, is undertaking risk assessments of non-native species and we await their conclusions on parakeets.
- Nicola Hart, London
I agree we must make every effort to assist our indigenous birds but absolutely oppose the killing of the parakeets. If we really want to improve things for our birds we must work towards creating larger areas of natural habitat for them to live. More and more people are developing an interest in birds and feeding them. I know that the London Wildlife Trust is promoting the use of our available garden spaces to create wildlife areas instead of concreting over for cars.
If there is one species whose existence is putting other species under threat it is we humans and our numbers are steadily increasing. I don't hear anyone calling for a human cull although the food industry is making a good attempt at it.
- Nicola Hart, London
I am cancelling my subscription to the RSPB if this cull goes ahead.
(horrified and disgusted)
- Deirdre Brooke, Kent
I am really lucky in having a small flock of these (ringneck) parakeets visit my garden twice a day to eat from the bird feeder. They compete quite enthusiastically with the other wild birds for the food, eating seed and nuts along side the jackdaws, starlings and the woodpecker. The smaller birds feed later, I suppose that's the "pecking order"! These beautiful green birds are a delight to watch, really graceful in flight and are a welcome addition to my garden. Their plumage is beautiful, far superior to any caged ones available for sale, and they seem really at home as they perform their aerobics amongst the seeds and nuts, or sit in pairs in the big silver birch tree. These parakeets should be left alone to enjoy their life in England, they are a very welcome addition to the wildlife here in the south.
- Jeff, UK
These beautiful birds should be left alone. I was disgusted to read about the proposed cull, and amazed to hear the RSPB is backing it! I thought they stood for protecting birds, not killing them. I don't know if these birds are widespread, but we don't see them in Woking, and I don't see how a cull can be justified. Why not cull the magpies or pigeons - we see enough of them! At the end of the day, with all the wars, global warming, pollution etc, this beggars belief.
- Nicky, Woking
Linda in Chelsea reports never having seen a parakeet. But she only needs to venture to nearby Kensington Gardens and she is almost guaranteed sightings on every day of the week. The most reliable area is between the Statue of Physical Energy (a bronze man on horseback), the Albert Memorial and the Serpentine Gallery. Go there and just listen for, and follow the squawking!
- Willsteed Ash, London
Cull the pigeons, keep the parakeets!
- Henrietta, London
Tears welled in my eyes as I read about the potential cull of the beautiful green ring-necked parakeets. I have been living in Bromley for 5 years and every day I see the parakeets flying by in groups of 5 to 25 - they are lively and fun and hats off to them if they're surviving right now. How can anyone, let alone the RSPB, justify a culling because they 'might' threaten other species. I am sure pollution, global warming and urbanisation is significantly more of a threat than a simple parakeet. Surely we should be nuturing the survivors of our human- damaged environment rather than artificially keeping other species alive.
- Couchie, Bromley, Kent
Last Sunday, my brother visited us from West Norwood and told us how fortunate we were to have such fascinating, diverse wildlife in the area. As well as the usual sparrows, foxes, hedgehogs, herons, blue tits and Robins, we also have probably one of the largest populations of parakeets in the country. Although we were initially concerned with their growing numbers, these beautiful birds with their distintive cry (they certainly attract the attention of our own cockatiel)add colour to the environment. They seem to have had no adverse effect on the indigenous local species and we would welcome them nesting in our garden.
- Chris Perry, West Ewell, Epsom Surrey
I live in Chelsea and have never seen a Parakeet here there are LOTS of Starlings,some Big Fat Wood Pigeons,Crows & Magpies so I would welcome some Parakeets here send them our way I'm sure the people of Chelsea would welcome these lovely birds and would not want them killed !
- Linda Cliff, London
Is it not beyond the wit of man to accept that these birds are part of a migratory movement, albeit with accidental human intervention, of both animals and humans that has been going on for the past 30,000 years? Just as we seem to welcome millions of human migrants, who also eat our food and contribute to the shortage of housing, these birds should be welcome and resorting to culls is a barbaric, ignorant manner with which to solve a fairly minor problem.
Where is the imagination? Why can't a number of them be transported to another, equally amenable part of the country?
- Bingham Macnamara, Lymington, UK
Paraqueets are beautiful, as Owen and Lucy rightly say, but the native birds under threat are also stunning and stand no chance against this highly resiliant non-native species: they will be lost along with the sparrows, red squirrels and other natives. As a longstanding member of the RSPB I know how dedicated they are to birdlife in general around the world, and if they are supportive of such drastic measures, this should be taken as indicative of the scale of the threat, caused as so often is the case, by people.
- Nathalie, London, UK
Ridiculous. The parakeets have established themselves as part of the environment in South West London and are an interesting and welcome part of the community. Saying "there is no rightful place or ecological niche for these birds" is daft. We should instead consider culling the disturbing number of supposed "experts" advocating things like this.
- Thomas, Hampton Hill
Here we go again - double standards. Let these birds occupy the area they are in right now. Killing them or any other measure is just digusting. Killing them to protect local species?
- Owen, London
I live in Surbiton where there are thousands of these beautiful birds. The make a wonderful noise, such that I have renamed them 'parasqueeks' (corny, but true). Personally, I would be devastated if there were a cull, and agree with Gary Wilcox that after 40 years surely they deserve to be reclassified as an indigenous species.
- Lucy Davies, Surbiton, Surrey
