"Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice."
Gabriel Garcia Marquez: "One Hundred Years of Solitude"
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Thursday 2 March 2023
London's Green Parakeets
The ring-necked green parakeet is the UK's only
naturalised parrot and the most northerly breeding parrot in the world.
ring-necked parakeets are originally from Africa and southern Asia and were
kept as pets in the UK mainly brought in as exotic pets from Pakistan. It is estimated
that there are well over 50,000 of them in London alone. They are mostly
confined to the south-east of England but warmer winters will probably see them
spreading further. They nest in holes in trees in gardens and parkland, and are
often found in noisy, roosting flocks of hundreds of birds and they are frequent
visitors to bird tables and garden feeders, particularly during the winter
months. They eat nuts, seeds, berries, household scraps and fruits. The bird has a very long, narrow tail and a
bright red bill. Males have a black throat and a thin black and pink collar. Despite
their tropical origin, parakeets are able to cope with the cold British winters.
They are said to be nearing the point where they are
considered a nuisance but the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is
not currently recommending a cull. However, there is now a new factor to
consider. London has about 40 breeding pairs of peregrine falcons – the speediest
animal on our planet. Since the first Covid Lockdown there has been a decline
in the London pigeon population as tourists haven’t been there to feed them. So
the falcons have turned their attention to other prey: starlings and parakeets!
I'm remembering the late Burt Bacharach by listening to one of his early songs sung by The Beatles. Listen to Baby It's Youhere.
I like colorful parakeets, but I also like majestic falcons. This is why we need a diverse and healthy environment. Also, I wonder if an excess of parakeets is better than one of pigeons. --Jim
What a beautiful bird! Love the color-there is just something so sweet and calming about seeing a bird-and watching to see what it will do. I remember that song~ I'm old! lol. Diana
Diana: I am quite a keen bird watcher but no expert. I remember seeing one of these parrots for the first time in our back garden. Quite a surprise! I am also of 'a certain age'!
Every animal, including humans, shows unique marks or shapes. But these birds don't even have a feather out of place, or a colour slightly different. Were your birds real?
Hels: Yes! All real and all photographed in London parks. They are a shock to see at first because, as you will be aware, parrots are not indigenous to the UK. We saw plenty in Australia and now these birds appear to be coping with our colder winters, although winters have been quite mild recently in the south-east of England.
Hilary: It's always a conundrum when bird populations are over-successful, eg Magpies. I think that if there just a few parakeets we would be enthralled by them! It is their skill at adaptation that led to their increase in numbers.
13 comments:
Love his music…lovely bird
I like colorful parakeets, but I also like majestic falcons. This is why we need a diverse and healthy environment. Also, I wonder if an excess of parakeets is better than one of pigeons. --Jim
What a beautiful bird! Love the color-there is just something so sweet and calming about seeing a bird-and watching to see what it will do.
I remember that song~ I'm old! lol. Diana
Brenda: He wrote so many songs that I was nor aware of!
Jim: Pigeons and parakeets have both proved to be nuisances in their own ways but I agree that nature should take it's own course.
Diana: I am quite a keen bird watcher but no expert. I remember seeing one of these parrots for the first time in our back garden. Quite a surprise! I am also of 'a certain age'!
Gifted writer and singer
Every animal, including humans, shows unique marks or shapes. But these birds don't even have a feather out of place, or a colour slightly different. Were your birds real?
Hels: Yes! All real and all photographed in London parks. They are a shock to see at first because, as you will be aware, parrots are not indigenous to the UK. We saw plenty in Australia and now these birds appear to be coping with our colder winters, although winters have been quite mild recently in the south-east of England.
Hi Bazza - sad about the starlings ... I guess fine as far as we're concerned about the parakeets ... they have adapted rather too well. Cheers Hilary
Love that second photograph.
Burt Bacharach wrote some great songs.
All the best Jan
Hilary: It's always a conundrum when bird populations are over-successful, eg Magpies. I think that if there just a few parakeets we would be enthralled by them! It is their skill at adaptation that led to their increase in numbers.
Jan: I don't know who took any of these photos but I love them all! I am constantly surprised by how many old hit songs were Burt's.
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