Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

A new home in Europe found the Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri). The population of the parrot has spread over Eurasia and Africa. In Europe, the bird often fled from captivity. In the 1960s the first parrots mated in open land outside of captivity in England and northern Central Europe. In Germany, their highest numbers can be found in the parks and gardens of Cologne and Wiesbaden. From there, they keep spreading. Today, around 1000 breeding pairs are living in Central Europe. The rise of the population is often seen as problematic, because next to seeds from feeding grounds, the ring-necked parakeet is devouring buds and young leaves from trees disturbing the growth and development. The displayed preparations are from the collection of Ernst Gloyer.