Problems and legal status

These colourful birds are sometimes loved and sometimes hated as garden visitors. There are concerns of how they may affect our native fauna, and of their impact on fruit-growers. 

As yet, there has been no problem either way, but as their numbers increase, they may become a problem in the future. 

Despite being an introduced species, the ring-necked parakeet is protected in the wild under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. However, it may be killed or taken under the terms of some General Licences. It is illegal to release or allow them to escape into the wild.