Ring-necked parakeets are conquering the Rhine-Palatinate district – that’s how dangerous they are!

Ring-necked parakeets are conquering the Rhine-Palatinate district – that’s how dangerous they are!

The colorful birds are increasingly spreading throughout the region: the ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) has settled in numerous cities along the Rhine and its tributaries. Especially in the Rhine-Palatinate district, the slim, green parrot species is attracting more and more attention from residents. The first releases of ring-necked parakeets in Germany took place in Cologne in the late 1960s, and the species has thrived since then. Today, it is estimated that there are several thousand of these lively birds in the cathedral city, which have adapted well to their new home, as Rheinpfalz reports.

The ring-necked parakeets originally come from Pakistan, South Asia and southern Africa. They are known for their sociable nature and loud communication. The males are identified by a distinctive black collar, while the females have a less distinctive color. With a body length of between 37 and 43 cm and a tail length of 18 to 23 cm, they are a striking sight in parks and gardens. They feel particularly comfortable in tall trees, but prefer tree species such as oak, ash and plane trees to build their nests. According to the Tierschutzverein Ahlen, the breeding season of ring-necked parakeets often begins in March or April and their young are cared for in the nest for up to 8 weeks.

The challenges of biodiversity

But the phenomenon of spread does not only have positive sides. The ring-necked parakeet is considered a “potentially invasive species,” as the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BFN) has determined. This means that its presence in Germany could potentially disrupt the balance of native species. There are currently around 900 established neobiota species in Germany, which accounts for around one percent of the total 74,000 species. The BFN points out that climate change could likely lead to certain species, such as ring-necked parakeets, spreading further.

According to experts, the main threats to ring-necked parakeets, which live in large colonies, are primarily peregrine falcons. Although their populations in Cologne are considered stable, signs of competition with other species can be observed, particularly with the Alexander parakeets, which require similar nesting sites and food sources. Despite these challenges, the ring-necked parakeet population has thrived in urban areas. There is something to be said for observing and preserving their habitat.

A new chapter in the nature of Cologne

The increase in ring-necked parakeets is also evident in Hochdorf-Assenheim and nearby rural areas. The colorful creatures are not only a beautiful sight, but also enrich the ecosystem structure in the region. Their vegetarian diet of tree bark, plants, flowers and nuts offers interesting insights into the adaptability of this lively parrot species to the local conditions. As far as their way of life is concerned, they show a good knack for settling in in German cities, as the Tierschutzverein Ahlen notes.

It remains to be seen how their population will develop in the future. The fact is: the ring-necked parakeet is on the rise and has found its place in the nature of Cologne. Evolution has its own ways, and while some species disappear, others must adapt and thrive. And so the ring-necked parakeet remains a living example of the wonders of nature, right in the middle of our modern world.