Cage & Aviary Birds Magazine No.5771 Grey Green Gems Back Issue

Following my news story in last week’s issue about the new regulations on invasive species proposed by the European Commission (EC), I had a long chat a reader about the status of wild ring-necked parakeets (also known as rose-ringed) in the UK. As keepers of British birds (and hopefully all birdkeepers!) are aware, it is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) to take a British bird from the wild and keep it in captivity, unless is it injured. The original ring-necked parakeets in the UK were captive-bred birds that were deliberately released into the
wild, before this was made illegal. However, there are now fully wild populations that are generations away from their captive-bred ancestors. So, how does the law affect these birds? Should they be considered as “British” birds? In turn, if this particular species is not covered by “wild
bird” legislation, does that mean that Joe Bloggs can take a bird from the wild, keep it in his aviary and breed from it? The ring-necked parakeet is listed under Schedule 9 of the WCA and it is now an offence to release or to allow the escape of this species into the wild. However, there is nothing about taking wild birds back in to captivity. In addition, landowners, occupiers and other authorised persons can use a general licence (available under the WCA) to catch wild ringnecks. The licence
permits them to kill or take these birds and to destroy their nests and eggs. This licence also applies to the quaker or monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). What are your views on the wild population of these parakeets? Should they be culled, should they be protected, or should they simply be left alone? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.