How These Exotic Parrots Ended Up in London | Wild To Know

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Since the 1960s, London’s parks and gardens have been home to striking green residents: Rose-ringed parakeets. Theories about their origins abound. But what really brought these parrots to a city so much colder than their natural habitat? Recently, scientists have used techniques from the world of criminology to find the answer: London’s parakeets were released from captivity. But who did it? And how did their numbers grow? Join us to investigate an avian mystery.
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🔗 Source: "Understanding the origins of the ring-necked parakeet in the UK" zslpublications.onlinelibrary...
#parakeets #london #terramater #parrots

[@terramater]

Want to see more parrots? Check this out ⬇ 🦜 How this African Parrot Ended Up in a Cactus in Arizona kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2OwYaKMaampb7M
 🦜 From the Wild to Miami: The Parrot Invasion Story: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6e6iXiHiJ6NiM0
 🦜 How These Amazon Parrots Ended Up in Snowy Germany: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6TWh3aLfdeYf6M

[@apocalypse487]

I've seen IRNs in the mountains in Pakistan. It gets pretty cold even in the non-mountainous areas at night and especially during the winter. I'm not surprised they adapted.

[@terramater]

It's really fascinating to see how they can adapt! 🦜

[@BiodiWerWieWas]

So cool, that you‘ve seen them! 🤩

[@zainmudassir2964]

True. They love eating guava fruits in particular

[@Dominic-mm6yf]

They are cheeky characters who cannot be tamed.They do talk to people.

[@brycekirkham6896]

Great video, its amazing how clever and adaptable parrots are! One of my favorite birds!

[@terramater]

Hi Bryce! They're the best!!

[@buraksimsek7264]

In the Netherlands: After the first ring-necked parakeets were released by humans or escaped from cages in the 1960s, the species appeared to be able to survive quite well in the Netherlands. There are now real strongholds in Amsterdam and The Hague and the species is still expanding. There are between 2500-3000 breedingpairs counted (2018-2020)

[@terramater]

Hi Burak! Wow, that's impressive! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@SlapstickGenius23]

They’re invasive pests even though they look cute. Ironically, It’s okay to own a domestic Indian ring necked parrot in Australia.

[@Drak_Thedp]

​@@SlapstickGenius23Actually, who are we to judge which species are invasive? They adapted, means they fit into the ecosystem. Does it harm local wildlife? Hardly. It may shift the balance a little but in a natural way, unlike us, humans, the real top among the invaders.

[@SorenAlba54]

@@Drak_Thedp Regardless, they were never meant to be anywhere outside of their native range since nature didn’t place them there. We did, due to our lacking of understanding and irresponsible management. Actions, no matter how small, has consequences.

[@puddlespuddles5208]

I own 2 IRNs and they are such a joy to have. Def a big responsibility but I love them so much and their sassy, intelligent personalities! And they can talk really well and are so intelligent it. Love them (and all birds) so much!

[@tedrex8959]

I walked into my conservatory many years ago to be greeted with a flock of them sitting in a cherry tree heavy with pink blosssom. It was an amazing sight, i had no idea thet had spread to Lincolnshire. Sadly it was in the days before phones on cameras so i couldn't get a photograph. I have never seen them since that day. Thank you for the wonderful videos.

[@terramater]

Thank you for sharing this story with us and for watching our videos!

[@skegnesssales3903]

We have a flock of 20 or so in Irby in the marsh Lincs. Visit everyday. They're so lovely

[@emmastacey389]

Im in essex and own one of these indian ringnecks , they can be loud but so cute when they talk and mine always want to chill with me and sit on my shoulder and go around the house with me haha.

[@joshuabamford9500]

IRN's are certainly not a beginners parrot, I have a beautiful little bugger who speaks a lot, but I would never consider "throwing" him away

[@muddaththiribn-inadhir6271]

In my region, where these birds are native, or year-round residents, have been observed breeding mostly in the hot months of June & July; it’s amazing to find them thriving in a region that is cold almost year-round.

[@spacechannelfiver]

The UK isn't cold, its not particularly hot either.

[@muddaththiribn-inadhir6271]

@@spacechannelfiver 😮

[@Moonsif]

That one male IRN said " Mithu" hahah. I can confirm he lived in captivity first.

[@mcpeguru4060]

Mithu is pretty common nickname for IRN in india, it means “sweety”

[@julianaylor4351]

Some years ago a parakeet was sitting on one of my garden fences, next to a wood pigeon, who moved nervously away from the parakeet, even though it was twice the size of the other bird. 😁

[@terramater]

😂😂😂

[@johncoyle2028]

That’s probably because they are super-aggressive towards other birds at times. I live in NZ and we have the same issue with Australian parakeets and rosellas - stunningly beautiful but bolshy as hell toward native birds.

[@ayampelungmojokertoapemman720]

Awesome g r e e n p a r r o t .. really like it ..i speakless how wonderful parrot at uk . Big thanks friend

[@terramater]

Thank you for watching our videos!

[@C-Rex1]

Terrapins are another introduced species, but apparently the climate in the UK is too cold for them to breed.

[@malenethomse3155]

The parrakeets do breed

[@j.ksmith7432]

People say that about Tortoises but back in the 70’s and 80’s there were lots of them on fields behind my grandparents home in Lancashire. I’ve not been there since 1988 so no idea whether or not they’re still around, probably been caught and sold now they’re so expensive.

[@justinspencer4472]

Terrapins are alive and breeding in London park ponds. Large ones, the size of small dinner plates.

[@ahmermirza]

Had so many pet parakeets throughout my childhood. They are so much fun and talkative as well!

[@noahgeerdink5144]

These are all over Europe, we have them in Barcelona but also all over the Netherlands

[@terramater]

Hi noah! Yes, also in the US

[@lasseb5612]

In Barcelona, it’s mostly Monk parakeets from South America, while those in London, the Netherlands, West Germany and France are Ring neck parakeets and Alexander parakeets from Asia and Africa ;)

[@cqcumber0]

Dear Terra Mater, please use the vertical bar | instead of a capital I for your titles. I know they look similar but have different meanings. Every time I get confused because I misinterpret your separator as the English word I (me). Thx :)

[@terramater]

Hey! Thanks for the feedback!

[@anthonymitchell8893]

@@terramater m i 6 for external affairs m i 5 for internal im a bit o.c.d like that 😃🤣😂😎 thank you

[@bruceparker5424]

We only saw these lovely free birds in London but they sadly were in cages in India

[@nodical802]

They don’t mean anything different unless you want brownie points for being a know it all. Do you honestly think just because of a typo people won’t be able to understand the title?

[@user-mm4we4qr3l]

Beautiful birds

[@davepotato101]

Got a flock that fly round my house and chill in the trees at the end of the garden in essex their a nice colourful addition a little noisy but not as annoying as the magpies 😅

[@terramater]

Hi Dave! Thanks for sharing your experience with us! 🦜

[@OLIVIA-sm3cd]

Same in Paris, France. Bright blue ones!

[@terramater]

Oh really?! Maybe they got the ferry from England to France 😂

[@northeastfishermanuk87]

​@@terramaterI guess they got a colour change on the ferry to smart arse

[@OLIVIA-sm3cd]

@@terramater When I see them, I will ask them to show me their passport! LOL

[@jacquelinesmith1103]

sadly since the Green parakeets arrived in South-East London, I rarely if ever hear the Blackbird, Wren or Robin singing 💔

[@drdewott9154]

Fair concern, I do hope they're not competing out native species.

[@RalphHancock]

@@drdewott9154 I watch them, and sadly they are evicting our native songbirds, and stealing the nest holes of nuthatches and woodpeckers.

[@mcpeguru4060]

Your ancestors should think that before colonising a country

[@meadow-maker]

I only ever saw them in West London in the 80's around the parks of Hounslow by the 2000's I'd see big flocks in Ham and Richmond. I've since moved to Durham and on the odd occasion seen them here too. I really like them I used to keep budgies and used to love sanding on the parallel bars in our playground at school to watch the budgies in the neighbours aviary. I'd have one now but for the constant toxic smoke from neighbours' fires.

[@terramater]

It seems they hang out a lot at Kensington Gardens

[@awatt]

The first breeding colony was recorded in Thetford Norfolk in the 1850's.

[@astuart101]

Seen them in little flocks in Windsor Great Park and in our garden in Hampshire! :)

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

We have a small flock in Glasgow, Scotland. They fly very fast .

[@zooologist4457]

Awesome narration.

[@terramater]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@sunnydays9144]

We have them in Belgium as well! I wonder if they were released here for the same reason or if they flew over from London 😊

[@terramater]

It would be an interesting research! 🤓

[@johncoyle2028]

I remember seeing some large blue parrots outside my South London flat in the mid-1980’s one Winter’s Sunday morning. I called the police as I assumed that they had escaped recently from somewhere - what a mistake. The person at the other end of the line said “hold the line a moment while I check” and after several minutes of roaring laughter in the background, the person picked the phone back up and struggled to put a sentence together. Being super-stupid, I told my workmates about the whole story in the office the next day. By the end of the day I had lost count of the number of times people burst into laughter as we passed in corridors, etc. Well, a few days later the evening TV news ran a story about blue parrots being spotted all over the area I lived in and had interviews with several people who said they’d been around for quite a few years. Redemption!

[@terramater]

Oh no, that's not nice that people were laughing at you, but hope they've seen the news that day!

[@ericg5791]

I'm sitting here watching this a flock of these parakeets settle in a huge oak tree down the bottom of my garden

[@zfzzone8580]

It's in our Nort East India 🇮🇳 too both Rose ringneck and Alexdrine 🦜 in our place mostly in Summer June July becoz of kwdwm bimfaang fruit kwdwm tree 🌳 in our language

[@terramater]

Oh really?! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@FlyingDwarfman]

I wonder about their effects, positive or negative, on the ecology of the Isles and if there is any concern they may be able to spread beyond (to the European mainland). What niche do they fill and does that compete with indigenous animals? Is it one that may compete with other species in France and beyond?

[@drdewott9154]

Very reasonable concerns I'm also curious, especially since many ecosystems are fragile and in some places straight up collapsing, sso I'm interested in hearing if the parakeets are a threat to local species, or if they simply add to biodiversity. Small parrot populations in European cities have started to become a thing now too in places like Amsterdam and Stuttgart along with a few others. And the Pigeons and doves too spread the same way since they were commonly imported as pets back in the rennaisance era so this whole phenomena isn't unprecedented.

[@theotheseaeagle]

@@drdewott9154 there is evidence that they outcompete woodpeckers and other cavity nesting species by stealing nesting holes, and then also take food from other birds thanks to their voracious appetites. Most native birds have very little chance to feed at bird feeding stations before they are chased away by the parakeets. The only positive I can see them having is another food source for birds of prey like peregrines and a bit more colour

[@mashrufahussain8772]

I think I got this info from another video about African parrots in Arizona or something, but in that case, the parakeets don't compete with any native species since their primary food source were from bird feeders and fruits. Since native species don't rely on humans for food, parakeets filled that niche, they need cities and humans to survive. On the other hand, ecosystems like the Florida everglades are highly biodiverse and complex, that is why the burmese python is a threat there (it destroyed 90% of its native animal population). As another comment mentioned, I also think these parakeets would become more like doves and pigeons.

[@joshuaokoro-sokoh2993]

I know right? I first saw these birds for the first time near my Uncle and aunt's house in Hounslow. And I remember thinking what on Earth are a bunch of parrots doing flying freely in the UK?

[@terramater]

Hi Joshua! I can imagine that it was quite weird so see exotic birds all of a sudden in the UK.

[@judinegreen8926]

I USE TO LOVE SEEING THEM THEY ARE ADORABLE.. BROMLEY TO ERITH SIDE IN LONDON, IM IN ESSEX NOW NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN , ❤❤❤LOVE THE VIDEO

[@terramater]

Hi Judine! Thanks for sharing your experience with us! And for watching our video! 🦜❤️

[@judinegreen8926]

@terramater give you a joke one day was passing ERITH FIRE STATION ,IT AS A WEIRD APPLE TREE RIGHY AT THE FRONT THE APPLES ARE VERY SMALL AN HARD ,SO I SAW THE TREE LOOK VERY EXTRA GREEN AN RED HAD A CLOSE LOOK ITS THE PARROT ALL OVER ON THE LIMBS EATING THE APPLE SO STUD I STAND THERE LOOKING FOR A WHOLE MIN.. LOL 😆 🤣BEAUTIFUL SITE IT WAS 💕💕❤️

[@roberthurd328]

I have the same thing going on over in Long Beach California cuz I was sitting out there one day and I saw a couple of them like that

[@terramater]

Really? We also have a video about them in the US, but focusing on Miami: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6e6iXiHiJ6NiM0

[@raphlvlogs271]

Have they been sighted in mainland Europe yet?

[@elimik31]

In Germany I saw them in the Rhine area cities such as Köln, Düsseldorf and Bonn, supposedly since the 60s. Other comments hint to them also being in other European countries.

[@ionasan]

Oh yes. I've seen them in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy. They're probably in other countries too.

[@levent.a.7280]

There are thousands of them all across west Germany, I see them everyday in Parks of Cologne

[@loopywren]

They are not just in London but all over the south east, and furthemr nnorth too. I live ovef 60 miles away and loads are in my town alone.

[@Jackthefinger]

Ive worked in the uk film industry. And its common knowledge that the parrots had been released by a film production.

[@awatt]

Wrong.

[@grb2015]

We have them in Duesseldorf Germany too. I think cologne and Duisburg too.

[@sentient1640]

Nice.

[@terramater]

Thank you!

[@Eltipoquevisteayer]

Thank the tories as always

[@That1TundrikYT]

The fact that parrots live every where now

[@terramater]

yeah 😅

[@stevebennett9839]

I wish my city had a cool bird non native bird like these guys, instead we get starlings and European cow birds.

[@zainmudassir2964]

Uk had colonized South Asia and now the tables have turned with these birds

[@awatt]

They are a welcome addition.

[@blunzengrostl5899]

Parrots!🎉

[@terramater]

Yesss 🙌

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

saw a few flying around in regents park not too long ago

[@terramater]

Really? Did you take some photos?

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

@@terramater only a rubbish pic of one flying over my head as a little green blur. its on Inat if anyone cares to peek at it.

[@tonyvillarreal1812]

It's no different than peach-faced lovebirds are in Arizona. Nesting in cacti. We the human race brought them there. My own ancestors used to bring these wonderful exotic birds from South America up north. And these creatures are native to Africa. Ships would carry them to other continents. For trade. Mostly. Of course some would escape or be released. They are small smart quick little suckers.❤

[@ChocoLater1]

You can see them in Hyde Park, London.

[@terramater]

That sounds like a cool place for birds to live!

[@mohamedcheese7071]

You should make a video about the wild parrots of the uae please

[@terramater]

Hi Mohamed! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@indecentanalyst]

It's not only London or the UK. Lots of them in Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Lille, and around.

[@terramater]

Yes! We also have a video about Germany!

[@Julia-jz5wt]

They’re very sweet birds that make cute noises

[@akshats091]

Mithhu is a hindi word which means parrot and here in india first word they learn easily is mitthu

[@edroth7612]

Also, This the Land Of Sherlock Holmes. . .! ! !! ! !

[@henkmagnetic3103]

I enjoyed the commentary. Are you an A.I. voice? One of the more understandable, domestic pet release reason I've heard. People would have been dealing with other serious issues at that time as well. 1920-30s, possibly the Depression, poverty and more!

[@terramater]

No, it's not an AI voice :)

[@PirateOfTheNorth]

They are invasive in Belgium too

[@AlphaDelle]

It’s interesting that it’s Indian Ringnecks that are invasive across the world. They are invasive in South Africa too and you are required to have a permit to own one.

[@maghribifilondonvlogs220]

I have seen yellow ones mixed with green in north west londo

[@terramater]

Really? They're so pretty!

[@Kam5]

The sounds in the background sound like Rainbow Lorikeets not Ringed Neck Parrots.

[@hunterhq295]

Like with Germany

[@terramater]

Exactly!

[@saurabhjaiswal2700]

Ringnecks cannot be kept as pets in India as per law. They are a protected species here.

[@halloyoutubers7047]

These green birds are also been seen in the Netherlands.

[@terramater]

Really?! They are spread all over Europe!

[@jaspergreyhound4866]

I can tell you Fact if you went to Windsor and wrote to Affinity Water they have a treatment plant on the River Thames this is where the film was recorded there are pictures in the tea room showing the actors and there is photos of the birds being set loose !! FACT

[@publicminx]

they, and a lot of other parrots and alike are also in Germany (and many other parts of Europe)

[@Groove81TV]

In Belgium also .. There a real pest ..

[@johnoldfield2390]

Why only the green and not the yellow or blue ones or red ones?

[@StandAloneSoul]

The wild effects and chaotic mixture of music, background sounds of the footage and narrator lines in this particular video make it really hard to focus or keep calm to be honest. This is intended to be helpful-spirited criticism, as I really do like ypur content and appreciate the effort you put into. I just think its a little too much and I sadly cannot bear to watch it because it stresses me out. :(

[@terramater]

Hi Lillion! Thanks for the feedback!

[@Julie-ib1es]

Why only one type of parrot when so many different types released

[@happybalint]

1:34 For two parakeets to establish a population of 50.000, especially in a new environment is probably not possible There just isn't enough genetic diversity

[@spal5599]

Why are they all green ? I haven't seen any other colour in the park

[@Akshay-xe9fm]

The British pretty much took the parakeets from the colonised parts of Africa and South Asia.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

Feral Parrots (Indian ring necks included) also live in Madrid. I think they descend from escaped pets.

[@TonVerkleijT3]

That is not entirely true, they progress over Europe as well and you can see them in almost every city in Europe. They simply migrate from Afrika and are able to live here due to their adaptability to the European climate which,by the way, is getting warmer in the last decades.

[@mbshaw1]

These birds are not indigenous to Africa, they originate from the north of India where the climate is quite similar to Europe. This species has simply migrated and has found most European cities offer favorable conditions for them, you will see them thriving in most European cities.

[@killapicklepiratepanda7373]

Well just goes to show invasive animals and plants always have human help. Some are liked more than others

[@ruchashinde9735]

mithu is indian pet name fr parrot!! They are endangered species in India and protected species!! They are not allowed to keep as pets

[@user-gw4fk8fe4w]

Brave snake 03

[@krzysztofj2059]

Kwiaty jednoroczne sądzą zamiast bylin i zmieniać miejscówki donic co roku .. I już... to na papugi się zgodzą ale antydepresanty zimowe tak..

[@lightningboltt5437]

Can wild parrots mimic human lanuague

[@AceofHearth]

I need a pixar movie of this, an allegory of South Asians and Africans migrating to Europes.

[@EyeSeeThruYou]

Birds or people?

[@SlapstickGenius23]

I think both. Both nonhumans and humans.

[@nihilistperson]

i think britishers bring this parrots from india to uk when he was ruling india , beacause india have lots of rose ring ringed parakeets & they speak ( mitthu ) world which means parrot

[@terramater]

This could be a possibility!

[@EyeSeeThruYou]

They originally were brought to Europe with Alexander the Great. He obtained them from Indian nobles and royals who kept the birds as status symbols.

[@nihilistperson]

@@EyeSeeThruYou This could be a possibility!

[@EyeSeeThruYou]

@idrrive It's likely the birds were imported into the UK as captive bred birds, and then some escaped and are now in the UK. Alexander never made it to the UK, just saying lol

[@comradeweismann6947]

Comments for the algorithm

[@user-of6gl3im2y]

Dry friend 10

[@EyeSeeThruYou]

But of course they were from the exotic pet trade or exhibit bird escapees and the like! There can be no other avenue since these parrots are non-migratory. Odd conspiracy theories as to their arrival in the UK. 🦜 😉 Indian Ringneck parrots, or Alexandrine parrot, is native to Asia, and was first brought to southeastern Europe by way of Greek military leader Alexander the Great. The birds were given by Indian nobles and royals who kept them as status symbols in areas of ancient India. These birds quickly became beloved by ancient Greeks, as well. It's becoming clear that the descendents of species native to warm climes are over time, adapting to live in cooler ones. Evolution in progress?

[@j.ksmith7432]

Posh Pigeons?

[@terramater]

Imagine that 🧐

[@Croydon387]

YAY

[@terramater]

🦜

[@meganfitzmaurice5757]

This was very cool to see. Next part has nothing negative to do with this video - 99.9998% of the time it goes like this; Q: Why is this species where it shouldn't be able to be? A: irresponsible humans Same reason pigeons are eeeevverryywherre

[@terramater]

Hi Megan! You got it!!

[@frankblangeard8865]

They get the 'Climate Change' meme in at 4:43.

[@MariaLuisa-qm2kn]

they are not exotic theyre just colorful

[@unvergebeneid]

What are non-exotic parrots? From an English perspective that is?

[@SlapstickGenius23]

I think wood pigeons, they’re also native to Germany and other parts of Europe.

[@unvergebeneid]

@@SlapstickGenius23 didn't know they belonged to the parrot family 😄

[@SlapstickGenius23]

@@unvergebeneid pigeons are similar to parrots, but they’re not related other than the fact that they eat fruits and live in trees. But like parrots, they do live in savannahs and jungles.

[@hmtmth8481]

European New Wild

[@terramater]

😅

[@edzelmejia3233]

✌️

[@MrPortajohn]

It doesn't seem like they're causing too much trouble. I'd take parrots over the starlings and house sparrows we here in the US got from the Brits. I hear the starling population isn't doing so hot over there too so if you guys ever want to trade we have hundreds of millions to spare..

[@user-ct2ey3ds7u]

Weak snake 31

[@loydboyd4923]

either way they are a invasive and a pest. They will harm local animal life and create bigger problem ahead. Messing with the ecosystem can have a massive butterfly effect. Just ask the australians about rabbits.

[@leongliyang6946]

parrot are talkative chicken

[@j.ksmith7432]

Not these ones, these are ‘posh pigeons!’ 😂😂😂

[@PaulH-hl5hw]

"Climate change"🤣

[@thisismetoday]

Why use these fake computer-generated pictures of parakeets?

[@AquaMarine1000]

Do not feed wild birds. Doing so increases their populations to pest proportion.

[@Rixynator]

the birds got there cause they also followed their colonizers

[@hopethisworks1212]

Bleedin' american voice overs for stories about London. Do they not know that we cringe at hearing that accent?

[@BingusDingusLingus]

Then cringe? People cringe hearing RP too

[@northeastfishermanuk87]

We all so have them up in the north east of England 🇬🇧

[@terramater]

Hi Gary! Yes, we've heard! Do you see them frequently?

[@northeastfishermanuk87]

@terramater no mate not in flocks like London Tottenham just 2 or 3s great birds

[@anthonymitchell8893]

m i 5 internal affairs mi 6 abroad lets get it right sunshine m i 5 is also on the other side of the river at Milbank thank you your welcome