Three parrots found but another two believed to be still at large

There is a renewed call to find a pair of escaped Alexandrine parakeets - because the cute feathered ferals pose a serious biosecurity risk.

The hunt for a pair of exotic Alexandrine parakeets has been stepped up as fears grow they will breed in the wild.

The state government says Alexandrine parakeets, native to southern Asia, can be kept as pets but must never be released into the wild. Green Adelaide ecologist Jason Van Weenen said the big green parrots posed a serious threat to native bird populations and the agricultural industry.

“It’s important we find and capture these parakeets to prevent them from establishing in our environment,” he said.

“Alexandrine parakeets are about the size of a galah with a distinctive long tail and red beak. Their feathers are usually green, but occasionally they can come in blue and yellow.”

Following a call in September to report sightings to the National Pest Alert Hotline, three males were found in Morphett Vale. It is believed at least another two birds are on the loose.

“These birds were exhibiting some breeding behaviours, so we used a cherry picker to check tree hollows being used by the parakeets, but only found native rainbow lorikeets and ringtail possums living in them,” Mr Van Weenen said.

The state government is asking South Australians to report wild sightings of Alexandrine parakeets – native to Southeast and South Asia – to the National Pest Alert Hotline.

While a pair was first reported breeding in the wild in Morphett Vale, they could now be anywhere south of Adelaide.

Mr Van Weenen said the large, green parrots posed a serious threat to Australian native birds and to the state’s horticultural industry.

“Alexandrine parakeets are a highly invasive species, and are known for taking over tree hollows from our native birds, plus they can spread the deadly beak-and-feather disease to our parrots,” Mr Van Weenen said.

“They also feed on valuable fruit and seed crops, causing costly damage to our agricultural industry.

Wanted: The hunt is on for two Alexandrine parakeets.

University of Adelaide PhD student Katherine Hill from the Invasion Science and Wildlife Ecology Lab said that when deciding to adopt an Alexandrine parakeet as a pet, potential owners should ensure their cage is secure to prevent potential damage to the local environment.

She said the escaped birds would be relatively easy to spot in the wild.

“Alexandrine parakeets have a large distinctive red beak, are about the size of a galah, and their feathers are usually green, but they are known to come in blue and yellow,” Ms Hill said.

Report sightings of the Alexandrine parakeet to the National Pest Alert Hotline on 1800 084 881, and remember to record the date, location, species and number of birds spotted.