Invasive parakeets in Borehamwood could be culled

Simon Richardson A PROBLEM species of parakeets released from a home in Borehamwood in the 1990s could be culled by the government if they cannot be recaptured.

A group of 12 monk parakeets, originally from South America, escaped from an aviary in the back garden of Keith Russell's house in Furzehill Road.

Mr Russell, 67, said the small green, yellow and grey birds were set free after his home was broken into around 15 years ago.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) estimates the population has multiplied by around ten times, creating a potential threat to wildlife and the environment.

Graham Madge, of the The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), explained some of the issues: “Monk parakeets can cause significant problems to agriculture by eating crops.

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Defra to remove problem monk parakeets from wild

The Last of the London Monk parakeets?A species of parakeet that threatens wildlife and crops is to be removed from the wild, the government has said.

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Focus on Nature: Parakeets win for color and noisiness

BARBARA STOUTENBURGH PHOTO | A noisy group of blue-crowned parakeets squabbles at the feeder.

As our lives have slowed down, Barbara and I have been spending our winter months down in Florida, where we follow our feathered friends by looking for them as we travel around on the shores or inland, but mostly by enjoying them daily as they visit our feeders.

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Parrots' exile negotiated

Splish Splash Photo: Bobby AcreeThe Nashua woman fighting to keep her Quaker parrots, banned from the state because of their troublesome nesting habits, was told yesterday at a meeting in Concord that she must part with her pets.

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NH Fish and Game says Nashua woman’s parrots are illegal

photo by Bob Hammerstrom Suzanne Burke and her three-year-old daughter, Lauren stand inside the bird room of their Nashua home Monday, January 31, 2011. Around them are Quaker Parrots in cages. Also known as "Monk Parakeets," the birds can adapt to cold weather if released into the wild. The state is threatening to seize the birds, which are illegal in New Hampshire. For 23 years, it has been illegal in New Hampshire to own a small, chatty bird known as the Quaker parrot because of concerns that they’ll establish themselves in the wild. And yet for all that time, these same birds have been sold openly in stores that are regularly inspected by the state.

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