Rose-ringed parakeet in Bangladesh

Rose-ringed parakeet

The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet, is a gregarious tropical Afro-Asian parakeet species that has an extremely large range.

The rose-ringed parakeet is sexually dimorphic. The adult male sports a red or black neck ring and the hen and immature birds of both sexes either show no neck rings, or display shadow-like pale to dark grey neck rings. Both sexes have a distinctive green colour. Rose-ringed parakeets measure on average 40 cm (16 in) in length, including the tail feathers, a large portion of their total length. Their average single-wing length is about 15–17.5 cm (5.9–6.9 in). In the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking call. It is herbivorous and not migratory.

One of the few parrot species that have successfully adapted to living in disturbed habitats, it has withstood the onslaught of urbanisation and deforestation. As a popular pet species, escaped birds have colonised a number of cities around the world. Since the population appears to be increasing, the species was evaluated as being of least concern by the IUCN in 2012, but its popularity as a pet and unpopularity with farmers have both reduced its numbers in some parts of its native range.

INTRODUCTION

My research shows the largest North American population of naturalized Rose-ringed Parakeets, Psittacula krameri, lives in Bakersfield, California. This population achieved its size through reproductive recruitment with supplemental releases of captive individuals since the initial pioneers in 1977. In August 2001, myself, Deborah Jackson, and Dianna Morales counted 715 individuals, but the number declined thereafter as first year bird mortality is relatively high. We estimate the number of wild individuals is currently stable at slightly more than 500 individuals and will grow again after nesting season 2002. When we first began this research in 1998, the greatest count was 187 individuals. (Ed. note - 2012 update: the number of parakeets at its greatest count at the main roost site (there are now several throughout Bakersfield) was over 1800 in December 2011. I would estimate the number of individual birds to be well over 3000 in the Greater Bakersfield area as they are now found throughout the town wherever mature trees grow).

Our research on worldwide naturalized distributions of P. krameri shows extensive but local populations. The species is non-migratory but has daily foraging migration through their territory. Most foraging flocks vary in size depending on season. All birds utilize common nocturnal roosts. This is a common characteristic of psittacosis. Significant populations of this species exist locally around London, UK (2000-3000) and Brussels, Belgium (3000+). The species is widespread but local throughout Europe, and Asia. No colonization has been reported in Australia, Antarctica, or South America. Published journal articles discuss insignificant populations in the Virgin Islands and another in Venezuela. These sightings are significant for understanding pioneering flocks.

North American colonization are widespread but some are poorly documented. The most populated area beyond Bakersfield is in Naples Florida, where recent communication with Susan Apps reveals a population of +-100 individuals. Several communities in Florida report smaller populations. Other small naturalized populations in the United States are found in Metarie, LA, San Antonio, TX, Honolulu, HI, and Malibu, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Anaheim, and Pasadena; CA.

Worldwide, all colonizing flocks are initially the product of deliberate or accidental releases of breeding pairs. As highly vocal and communal species, I predict that naturalizing psittacids take very little time finding others of their own species within any given area once released to the wild. One additional factor supporting this observation is the similar habitat niche needed for most parrot species.

BACKGROUND

I first observed this species in 1987 at Hart Park in northeast Bakersfield. Although area birders and residents have been aware of this flock for many years, there has been no effort to record or report this population. This is not uncommon as exotic species are not generally treated as participating members of an ecological community until well after their initial introduction. This research project began a result of a discussion, in September 1998, on the status of introduced psittacids in California with Kimball L. Garrett, Ornithology Collections Manager, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. 

NATURAL DISTRIBUTION

Four subspecies are known:. P. k. borealis is native to India (north of latitude 20°N), west Pakistan, Nepal, and central Burma, P. k. krameri is native to Africa - Guinea, Senegal, southern Mauritania, western Uganda, and southern Sudan, P. k. parvirostris is native to northwest Somalia, northern Ethiopia, and Sudan, and P. k. manillensis is native to India (south of latitude 20°N), Ceylon, and the island of Rameswaram (Forshaw, 1978.) 

DESCRIPTION

This species is unmistakable with light green plumage, long tail, and raucous, repetitive "kee ep" call. The average length is 16 inches. Adult males have the "rose-ring". The chin of the adult male is black with layers of black, turquoise, and rose on a collar that thins below the auriculars. The rose-ring continues to the nape of the neck. The nape on the male has a turquoise blue wash over the light green base feathers. It takes between 18-32 months for the males to develop the rose-ring. Juveniles and females lack neck and chin markings. The adult female has a faint emerald green collar that is difficult to discern in the field.  The tail is long and thin with a blue central tail feather. The outer tail feathers are medium green washed with blue. The tail of females and juveniles is slightly shorter than that of the male.  The underside of the tail and wings are canary yellow.

BAKERSFIELD ENVIRONMENT

Bakersfield is a suburban/rural city extending 111 square miles, 492 ft. above sea level in the Southern San Joaquin Valley of California. Greater Bakersfield occupies an area of 224 sq. miles. The climate of the southern San Joaquin Valley is described as inland Mediterranean-type with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Bakersfield lies just north of latitude 35° 20' N. The now ephemeral Kern River flows through the northern sector of the city with unincorporated urban communities occupying much of the land north of the river.

Bakersfield and the surrounding communities are home to many naturalized species of animals. The original landscape has been altered with the accidental and deliberate introduction of animals, plants, and insects. The area was originally a boggy delta for the largest freshwater marsh and lake system west of the Mississippi River. It was surrounded by upland scrub habitat.

Other individual members of the parrot family observed in Bakersfield but not reproducing include: Budgerigar, Red-crowned Parrot, Meyer's Parrot, Senegal Parrot, Peach-faced Parakeet and Mitred Parakeet.

BAKERSFIELD POPULATION

The current population in Bakersfield appears to have began as a result of the loss of the Happy Bird Aviary roof. A hurricane force windstorm occurred on December 20, 1977 in the southern San Joaquin Valley, destroying the aviary, and leading to the release of multiple species of cage-bred birds. Two breeding pair of Rose-ringed Parakeets were among the birds lost by the owner. I have documented an average of one escape from pet and/or aviary owners each year since 1985 (some years no birds were recorded while some years up to six were reported to have escaped). Rose-ringed Parakeets are long-lived averaging 20 year life-spans. If the population did not grow each year, then the species could not be determined to be naturalized. I have observed successful fledging each year since beginning my research and documented an increase, leading to the conclusion that the population is growing mainly due to reproductive recruitment (wild hatching).