Tropical birds' home-from-home in Liverpool
Tropical parrots may become a permanent fixture in Liverpool’s parks and gardens, according to an ecologist at Liverpool John Moores University.
The ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) from northern Africa and the Indian subcontinent has been sighted in increasing numbers in Liverpool parks and in the LJMU grounds, leading researchers to conclude that a long-term local population is now viable.
Dr Ross MacLeod, senior lecturer in behavioural ecology, from LJMU's School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, said: “It’s a flourishing population, it seems to be doing well. We see them regularly across a lot of places around Liverpool, we have them at the University, we have them in many of the parks. And yeah, they're successfully breeding.
“Come spring time, you’ll see them using nest holes in trees. They like areas with big trees, for breeding, for perching, so they're up safe from predators. Generally, nice open habitat without many predators, where there's food - those are the big requirements.”
The ring-necked parakeet can be identified by its bright green plumage and red beak. The birds have a wide range and will often fly several miles to forage for nuts, grains, and fruits. Walkers will have noticed the exotic birds, which have settled in parks around the city, thanks to their loud, screeching calls.
The Liverpool ECHO recently ran an article after spotting parakeets in Sefton Park, while The Anfield Wrap contributor John Gibbons shared pictures on X of two of the birds perched in a tree in Clarke Gardens.
Where did they come from?
The origin of the mini-invasion is uncertain with one rumour claiming that guitarist Jimi Hendrix released a breeding pair in London in 1968. But Dr McLeod believes that many parakeets were released independently by exotic pet owners in the London area and have since spread out as far as Scotland.
He told the ECHO: “I think this population is long term. I mean, climate change can have an effect but they'll probably do better as things get warmer. I don't think there are any risks there. It would probably take another mini Ice Age for them to disappear is my feeling, or some invasive predator comes in or maybe disease.
“But these are things that would affect any sort of animal species anyway. So now they seem to have plenty, they seem to be well established, they seem to breed successfully so I think there is a long-term population there already.”
Liverpool’s parks provide the ideal habitat for ring-necked parakeets, which are well-adapted to survive in cool climates as well as their native environment of tropical forests and deserts.
How animal populations respond to climate
Dr MacLeod’s research uses animal behaviour and population data to make predictions about how populations and ecosystems will respond to environmental changes, particularly in urban spaces.
The field of urban ecology - and the urban parakeet phenomenon - has gained greater visibility recently with the release of Sir David Attenborough’s Wild London documentary. Dr MacLeod hopes future studies will help researchers better understand the local population.
He says the fact they fly quite far distances so it can be quite hard to figure out exactly how many there are. I mean, we see flocks of 10-20 individuals at times after the breeding season, but working out the whole population is a big, big task.”
Though some academics have raised concerns about the potential impact on native species, and countries such as Spain have already introduced measures to control the parakeet population, Dr MacLeod called for calm, explaining that the current research shows little threat.
He said: “They may compete with other species at bird feeders, if they're coming to bird feeders, but the other species won't be excluded completely, they'll just come at different times. There might be a bit of competition for nest holes in trees, but again, they can probably find other nest holes.
“They don't seem to be having big effects on any of the other species as far as we know.”
