An attractive foreigner who has made Durban home is ruffling feathers among environmentalists.
The Department of Environmental Affairs has expressed concern over the “increasing and expanding” population of rose-ringed parakeets in and around the city.
This is according to a statement released at the weekend and in the run-up to the country’s first National Invasive Species Week, to be held later this month.
The department’s Siyanda Sishuba said the bird was a category 2 invasive species, meaning those who wanted to keep or breed it must apply for permits.
David Allan, curator of birds at the Durban Natural Science Museum, said rose-ringed parakeets were native to India. They were brought to South Africa as pets, but wild flocks were now found in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, notably in Mount Edgecombe and on the Berea.
Allan did not believe the birds posed a significant threat to local birdlife. “Human development has driven most sensitive species of indigenous birds out of the city,” he said.
However, according to one study, while many consider the vivid green and red birds a welcome addition to the cityscape, they had been observed displacing indigenous species.
During the one-year study, conducted by UKZN post-doctoral researcher Lorinda Hart and Colleen Downs, of the School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, the hole-nesting birds were observed “evicting” black-collared barbets and golden-tailed woodpeckers.
The study did not identify how significant these incidents were, but also pointed out that rose-ringed parakeets in the UK had decreased feeding rates in native bird species.
Sishuba said 559 flora and fauna species were listed as invasive in South Africa. Among the invasive flora found in KZN were triffid weed, balloon vine, yellow bells and pompom weed. He said invasive species were costing billions each year and the National Invasive Species Week aimed to “raise awareness and increase public understanding around invasive plants and animals”.
“The week aims to highlight the importance of invasive species in relation to our economy, human health, food security, water supply and biodiversity.”