The ring-necked parakeet is the fastest growing bird species in Britain, with well-established popultions in Surrey and Kent, says the latest Breeding Birds Survey.  The survey, charting bird numbers in the British Isles, shows a 61% decline in turtle dove numbers Bushcraft UK has learned.

The parakeet, once a pet bird, has now established itself among the wild birds the British Trust for Ornithology monitors.  "Even though this species has been introduced from its natural range of central Africa and southern Asia, it has adapted well to the British countryside and climate, nesting in tree cavities and feeding on a wide-range of fruits, seeds and agricultural crops', the Trust said.

In the meantime, the turtle dove is causing the most concern.  The species, known for it's disctinctive purring call, has almost vanished from Wales, the South West and the North East.

In comparison, the ring-necked parakeet has enjoyed a 302% boost in numbers over the same period.

Changes in farming practices have been blamed for the decline in turtle doves, who were known to feed on farms.  To make matters worse, the birds are hunted in the Mediterranean on their migration route from Africa to northern Europe.

The dramatic change in bird populations is seen as another way in which the wild landscape is changing.

For more information, go to  http://www.bto.org

Article: John Burton

Photo: Shiva shankar

Comments (3)

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written by Jodie , July 03, 2007

Can we eat them?

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written by jdlenton , July 03, 2007

i dont see why not

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written by suburban bushwacker , July 05, 2007

loads in blackheath SE london!

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