The legend is that these Birds come from a couple that were released from
their cage onboard a barge that was sinking in the Staines/Wraysbury area.
Indeed they were first noticed around the Wraysbury area and seem to have
spread along the R.Thames from there. I myself have counted over 50 in one
flock flying over my house.

Populations of Indian Ring-neck Parakeets have been increasing for
well over half a century. In pre and post WW2 years, they were
imported into this country in their thousands. They were very cheap
and countless unwary folks bought them in the hope of having a
brightly coloured, talking bird. Unfortunately although Ring-necks
are decidedly handsome and very elegant in flight, they are
exceptionally noisy and unless hand-reared, make very poor pets. When
wild-caught, the males are skittish and nervous, whilst the females
are either moody or very bad tempered and prone to biting.

As to talking, a few make be persuaded to utter the occasional word
and occasionally you will come across one that is very talented.
However they cannot match the ability of the African Grey parrot or
any of the Amazon parrots. As a result, owners driven to distraction
by incessant screeching and refusal of the birds to tame-down often
let them go.

Ring-necks are highly gregarious birds and nothing if not resourceful.
Just a few in any one area will quickly find each other, form a small
flock and if suitable nesting sites are present, establish a viable
population. Hollowed out tree stumps and the old nesting holes of
Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers are favourite in this country.
Rarely, nesting boxes put out for other birds are utilised. This was
observed and recorded by the late Duke of Bedford prior to his death
in the 1950's and in one report he commented that it might be only a
matter of time before they become a familiar sight in gardens.

It may take a few decades before the population builds sufficiently to
start colonising new areas, but that has been happening in southern
England over the past 15 or 20 years. Populations in central London
have been somewhat limited by the lack of suitable nesting sites, but
those centred originally around Epping forest have expanded and
started to move west. They have been reported in the New Forest and
that is probably the extent of their expansion so far. Pairs or small
groups have been seen much further west than this (Dorset, S. Devon &
S. Cornwall) , but these are probably locally released or escaped
birds. Year round availability of food, especially in the south
suggests that they are here to stay.

Their novelty value and attractive colouration means they are welcomed
by many. BUT, if you are a keen fruit grower, you do not want them
anywhere near your trees and bushes. They will gorge themselves on
swelling buds and in winter, happily chew the bark on young shoots.
Cabbages, Brussels and purple sprouting will also attract attention so
a flock of 20 or 30 birds that are hungry can quickly decimate a small
orchard or vegetable patch.

Ring-necks are not the only parrots capable of establishing themselves
in the UK and the soberly coloured Monk or Quaker parrakeet is the
next species likely to establish. This is the only parrot to make a
proper nest and so does not rely on hollowed out tree stumps or
woodpecker holes in order to breed. A very small population exists
here in south Devon and although local predatory birds (peregrines,
sparrow hawks and owls) are keeping numbers down, they are just about
managing to hold on. Quakers make good pet birds and are talented
talkers, but have voracious appetites and can devastate orchards and
vegetable patches.

Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November