Under lockdown there's a limited choice of species to photograph from my flat, so here's another parakeet shot...
Case for the prosecution: Rose-ringed Parakeet is an invasive species that can be annoying, cause damage to farmers' crops, and compete with native species for nesting holes. Wikipedia: "Although not aggressive, parakeets deter smaller birds with noisy gregarious behaviour, and their large size means that they often crowd small bird feeders."
On the other hand, birds of the parrot family are highly intelligent, add a splash of colour, and since they evolved 59 million years ago, have been around a lot longer than us. And for all the depredations of this species in Britain (real or exaggerated) parrots have done a lot less damage to the planet than we have.
The RSPB: "The RSPB is not in favour of a cull of parakeets at this time, but believes it is important that the spread of the ring-necked parakeet is monitored and its potential for negative impacts on our native bird species assessed." So, an uneasy truce for the time being.
Thank you for your comments on my pictures, stay safe and well, and and good birding!
John
