02-18-2022, 05:03 PM
Escaped pet parrots are a problem in many parts of the world. They breed and multiply. They compete for food and nesting space with local bird species.
In New Zealand this is becoming a serious problem. There are struggles with other invasive species too. The parrots however are putting at risk local birds that are already endangered. People lose pet birds every year. Many are the same species so there is a good chance of them meeting up and breeding. Some species are already established in the wild. The only hope is to ban the birds, both breeding and selling. If this is only done regionally it will not work because people will just bring them in from areas where they are not banned. Any ban will need to be countrywide for it to have an effect on the problem.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/f...land-birds
It would be sad if local birds in New Zealand were lost because of imported parrots. The imported birds are beautiful, but people keep these species because they are adaptable and easy to breed. If they get loose or are released, they simply find a way to survive. There is suitable food. The climate is good. There are others of the same species to pair off with. It is a recipe for disaster.
The same situation in Canada wouldn't be a problem. A lost bird must be found quickly if it is to survive. Food and weather are against parrots survival.
I have known a number of escaped parrots to fly to the nearest person for help.
In New Zealand the birds will survive and thrive. I don't know how much of a ban they will come up with, but it must be done soon, before yet more species establish themselves.
We have created no end of trouble around the world with our introduced species. It seems no one stopped to ask what would happen if a species was able to survive in the wild in a country that is not its own.
In New Zealand this is becoming a serious problem. There are struggles with other invasive species too. The parrots however are putting at risk local birds that are already endangered. People lose pet birds every year. Many are the same species so there is a good chance of them meeting up and breeding. Some species are already established in the wild. The only hope is to ban the birds, both breeding and selling. If this is only done regionally it will not work because people will just bring them in from areas where they are not banned. Any ban will need to be countrywide for it to have an effect on the problem.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/f...land-birds
It would be sad if local birds in New Zealand were lost because of imported parrots. The imported birds are beautiful, but people keep these species because they are adaptable and easy to breed. If they get loose or are released, they simply find a way to survive. There is suitable food. The climate is good. There are others of the same species to pair off with. It is a recipe for disaster.
The same situation in Canada wouldn't be a problem. A lost bird must be found quickly if it is to survive. Food and weather are against parrots survival.
I have known a number of escaped parrots to fly to the nearest person for help.
In New Zealand the birds will survive and thrive. I don't know how much of a ban they will come up with, but it must be done soon, before yet more species establish themselves.
We have created no end of trouble around the world with our introduced species. It seems no one stopped to ask what would happen if a species was able to survive in the wild in a country that is not its own.
Catherine