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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Ring-necked Parakeet - psittacula krameri

 

Rose-ringed Parakeet, also known as the Ring-necked Parakeet is a gregarious tropical parakeet species that is popular as a pet. Its scientific name commemorates the Austrian naturalist Wilhelm Heinrich Kramer. This non-migrating species is one of few parrot species that have successfully adapted to living in 'disturbed habitats', and in that way withstood the onslaught of urbanisation and deforestation. In the wild this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking call. Their stronghold in the UK is in the south east where in excess of three thousand birds have roosted at Esher Rugby Club in West London.

 

There have been twelve Ring-necked Parakeets reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2011: (1)

One was see and heard in flight over Frenchay Park Road on February 19th heading north towards the Ring Road.

 

2010: (c.5)

One was noted at Leap Valley, Downend on May 22nd and the same or another was seen and heard over Bellevue Road in Kingswood around 20:15 on May 23rd; One was seen near the Harvester Pub at Cribbs Causeway on September 22nd; One was noted from Oldbury Power Station on November 14th for fifteen minutes. It flew over Lagoon III at 15:35. Calling loudly circled a number of times until 15:50 over shore and, at one point over to mid-river. It was always at quite a height and eventually flew off towards Oldbury village; Perhaps the same or another was noted over Thornbury at 07:30 on November 24th.

 

2008: (1)

One was seen at New Passage at around 10:15 for ninety minutes and remarkably the same or another was reported flying over calling from Oldbury Power Station on April 16th.

 

2005: (1)

One was reported in mid February at Longwell Green, no age, sex or date was given.

 

2004: (1)

An individual was reported from Almondsbury between April and October. The bird was in a garden in Almondsbury next to the A38 and was feeding on berries; (Cotoneaster, Holly and Ivy) and had attached itself to a group of Woodpigeons feeding with them. It was observed spasmodically over a period of several months.

 

2000: (1)

One was seen on Filton Golf Course on August 12th.

 

1996: (2)

A female was present at Fishpool Hill, Brentry on September 28th - 30th. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species in S. Gloucestershire; A probable female was reported on October 10th near Westerleigh.

 

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