Why do parakeets live in the UK?

Research finds that Britain's booming parakeet population has grown from numerous accidental and intentional pet releases.

The vibrantly-coloured bird, which is a small to medium-sized species of parrot, has been in Britain for decades, though it was unclear how they were first introduced.

To solve the mystery, scientists used geographic profiling used to track down criminals - and analysed patterns of parakeet sightings over the past 50 years.

[mr.y.mysterious.video]

A sparrow was heard to say ‘ they come over here from abroad, take our seed, perch on our branches’

[DunhillX]

I used to live in Athens, Greece and they were all over the city. These beautiful Indian-Ring-Necked parakeets are true survivors and add an exotic flavour to the grey landscape of the UK. No complaints from gratitude for something happy and bright in these rather dull times.

[ruadhagainagaidheal]

Back in the early 70s, when I lived in London, a neighbour knocked at my door asking for help. She said her cat had caught a green parakeet and wouldn’t let go, and could I help her save the bird. When I got to her garden it soon became clear that it was the bird that had caught the cat ! It had a vice like grip on the terrified cat and hung on tight, snapping at my fingers when I tried to make it let go.
I went back home for some stout gloves and very gingerly prised the parakeets claws( talons ?) apart and the moggie ran off like a scalded cat !
I love birds, especially parrots, and I planned to take the little beauty home, thinking it must have escaped from it’s owner. The bird was having none of it and fought like a tiger to get away, which it did, giving me a number of painful nips despite the heavy workmen’s gloves I wore.
The bites felt like my fingers had been crushed with strong pliers. The poor old cat had to go to the vet for her bite wounds and as far as I know never chased a bird again.

[BrandonLewis]

I've had parakeets, pigeons and squirrels climb on me when I was at Hyde Park. It was an amazing experience. (I have video on my channel showing it).

[wennawatkins]

I am a pet parent to a IRN. The screaming is loud there is no doubt but the laughter, antics and love Ragnar display's and intitate's in my home far out way's the "hooting". I can't imagine why anyone would actually want to kill them but I can imagine in flock mode the noise is quite spectacular :)

[XHobbiesPrime]

I'm surprised they are doing so well in the climate there.

[properpecker]

See them in Sheffield all time now a flock of 4 is the most I’ve seen at one time

[samcromp]

We have quite a flock of these type birds in San Diego, CA. Same theory that a few escaped from a pet store.

[sb]

Very interesting, I just saw 3 today, so i went online to search if there are green wild parrots here, n was surprised to find out, yes there are...

[Alun]

I saw a small flock in Victoria Park in Bethnal Green last week. Amazing colour and a very strange sight!

[essexfarmer]

I live out in the Essex villages, and a small flock that worked its way up the River Stort to Harlow then ventured out into open farm land. They found a certain hollow tree and have lived there ever since. A local who has his house about 300m from the tree has trained them by blowing a whistle. They scramble out of the hole in the tree like WW2 Spitfire pilots scrambling, 2 minutes later they descend into his yard for bird seed and nuts! The original 6 have bred into around 20 on about 3 years. I like them. Its nice to have their colour and they add character to our lives.

[Prozac]

Loads around south Manchester. A flick of 25 to 30 landed on the tree at the bottom of my garden during the summer. Regularly see half a dozen or so in the garden and their squawks can be heard daily.

[jackieperson]

I am from AU. I was in the tennis court in Manchester and they flew over me. I thought they are pet who escaped from the cage. I saw them in London too. I wonder how they live in the UK. I never knew they can adopt to the cold.

[Grobo]

Green isn't on the colour palette of Britain?? Has Nick Hunt even been outside

[nickpoynton]

Just had six of these in my garden in Bucks. First time seeing them.

[timber]

We have those birds already for decades here all over the Netherlands..

[sajjadali]

They also in Birmingham 🥰🥰 love them when they go flying over my head.
I also have an Alexandrian green ringneck Parrot

[jamieetherington]

We have them now In Newcastle upon Tyne there’s a small colony in the park where I live.

[Brock-Lesnar-WWE]

I saw these in the park and i live in london...
I thought someones pet parrots escaped but now i realise they're all over london especially hyde park areas

[Nourablossem]

I saw a parrot headstone Manor Park 🇬🇧