Meet the county's newest residents - parrots (in Britain)

[depakid]

COUNTRYSIDE on the edge of Felixstowe is sprinkled with wildlife - but usually birds and animals native to Britain.

People spot hares, occasional otters, muntjac deer, foxes, lizards, insects, and a host of seabirds and garden species swooping over the fields and coast.

But now there is a more exotic bird to add to the collection - because parrots have been seen in the trees at Old Felixstowe.

Experts say the number of wild parrots and parakeets living in England is rising at 30 per cent per year with the birds - more used to the warmer climes of places such as southern Asia and South America - having adapted to the UK weather.

It is estimated there could be nearly 30,000 living in the wild in west London, Surrey parts of Kent and areas of East Anglia.

The pair in Felixstowe were spotted by Mike Shout while doing some gardening work in Gulpher Road, not far from the golf club.

“I heard these strange sounds and all of a sudden from out of these couple of tall trees came a couple of parrots,” said Mr Shout, of Trimley St Mary.

“They were grey-green with long tails and they dive bombed me!

“They were definitely parrots.

“I have heard strange bird noises, sort of squawking, in that area before but not seen them before - you don't expect to see parrots, though I often see other wildlife round that area.”

The birds were flying round for about 90 minutes. “I know there is a lot in London and have heard they are spreading out - it's quite nice to see something a bit different in our countryside,” he added.

Researchers at Oxford University say the increase in parrots and parakeets in the wild has been helped by mild winters, lack of natural predators, food available from humans and that there are now enough parrots for a wider range of breeding partners.

More: http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/news/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=News&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=News&itemid=IPED21%20Nov%202008%2012%3A50%3A36%3A323
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Curiously, Olive trees have been growing in Britain too- volunteers (in garden speak) -though I spose with cool birds we might think- aha- opportunists.

Seeds, like wings are fine adaptations.

[aquart]

1. Why not? They did it in Flushing, Queens.

Trees full of green parrots in Flushing.

[depakid]

2. One might have thought

San Francisco would be a bit cold- one might have thought no way

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

http://www.smh.com.au/news/film-reviews/the-wild-parrots-of-telegraph-hill/2005/10/19/1129401315993.html

[diane in sf]

7. No, it's not too warm (except for those 100 degree heat spells) but it doesn't freeze

Our worst winter weather in the city doesn't usually get below around 39 degrees F.

[Journeyman]

3. There's a flock of well over 100 parrots in my part of South California. . .

the core came from a shipment to a pet store that got loose some years ago, and since then, the increase has been fueled by both reproduction and people letting caged birds free. I've seen them twice, most recently about a month ago. Quite an unexpected sight, though given our historical climate, not as unusual as in New York or -- rarer still -- old York.

[Phredicles]

6. I'd've guessed there were more than 100 from what I've seen in

West LA and South Pasadena. Granted, it doesn't take many of them to make a LOT of noise. But they seem pretty much established here.

[Tanuki]

4. It's funny they would list muntjac deer among the species "native to Britain"

They are just about as "native" as the parrots!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntjac

[madrchsod]

5. green parrots in chicasgo

[GliderGuider]

9. These are probably Quaker parrots.

It's illegal to keep Quakers as pets in many states because of their tendency to escape and breed in the wild. They build huge communal apartment-style nests on telephone and hydro poles, and are very noisy. They are also my second favourite parrot, after the African Grey.


Quaker Parrot


Quaker Parrot Nest

[madrchsod]

11. yes they are..huge nests..thanks for the correction

[NickB79]

10. Seriously? Chicago?

Wow, now I'm hoping I'll see a few here in MN one day. I'm usually against introduced species, but Quakers seem to be replacing the now-extinct Carolina parakeet.

[htuttle]

8. "They're just pining for the fjords!"

That line takes on a whole new meaning with this story...One of these years, they'll probably get there.