Ring-necked parakeets are harassing Bergheim: residents are annoyed!

Ring-necked parakeets are harassing Bergheim: residents are annoyed!

In Bergheim, the new resident of the playground in Fliesteden is a feathered vermin that draws attention to itself with loud screams and massive droppings: the ring-necked parakeets. These colorful birds have been native to Cologne since the 1960s, but have now found a new habitat in Bergheim. Residents are annoyed because the large groups of parakeets spend the night near the play equipment and leave behind significant amounts of dirt every day, such as the birds' droppings. This leads to parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping trees being avoided in order to protect the cars, and Frank Lucero, a resident, reports the constant cleaning of his terrace, which is under a sleeping tree. “It’s a constant battle against the legacies,” Lucero says angrily.

The local mayor Elisabeth Hülsewig is also concerned and estimates the population of ring-necked parakeets in Bergheim to be around 200 to 250 individuals. She reports an increased frequency of cleaning in the city, but no targeted measures are planned to scare away the birds. “For us it’s about finding a balance between the needs of the residents and the protection of the animals,” explains Hülsewig. Department head Andrea Lehmann-Pedyna also emphasizes that the ring-necked parakeets do not use breeding or nesting places in the surrounding trees and should therefore not directly endanger the local fauna.

The parakeet phenomenon

But what are ring-necked parakeets actually? Originally from Asia and Africa, these colorful creatures have adapted excellently to urban habitats and do not deviate from their usual lifestyle. According to NABU Cologne, which works on a working group for ring-necked parakeets, it appears that the populations are stable and the birds have organized a diet of fruits, berries and nuts in the city. Regular population counts and advice on problems with parakeets are offered there, but conservationists point out that attempts to drive the birds away from their roosts can cause stress for the animals.

It is also expected that the parakeets will return to Cologne after the breeding season. This does not appear to necessarily threaten biodiversity in the region, but some residents are concerned about the declining population of native songbirds and the disappearance of bats. According to NABU, for example, technical solutions for removing excrement and educating citizens about the behavior of parakeets are being proposed.

Challenge of diversity

But it's not just the ring-necked parakeets that are causing discussions in Bergheim. In Pulheim there are similar problems with a colony of rooks, which also leads to pollution. It is a complex topic that highlights the relationship between humans and nature. The WWF also points out that invasive species such as the ring-necked parakeet can pose a challenge. There are over 1,015 registered neobiota species in Germany, although not all are considered invasive, but there is a clear trend towards the establishment of non-native species, which is often encouraged by the climate crisis.

With one goal in mind: the peaceful coexistence of humans and nesting birds. Residents are encouraged to report their visual observations and raise awareness of the parakeets' behavior. NABU Cologne speaks out against aggressive deterrent measures in order not to stress the parakeets unnecessarily. Instead, there should be close cooperation between cities and nature conservation associations in order to find sustainable solutions.

A game of patience for residents and nature lovers who hope that the situation will calm down without harming the wildlife. The situation remains exciting and requires careful consideration in the interests of people and nature.