Message for help from Durbanites by: Elize Fourie.

The Rose-ringed Parakeet Project 2015

The Rose-ringed Parakeet – Psittacula krameri – is an invasive parrot species, which inhabits urban areas of South Africa. It is currently listed as a Category 2 invasive species in the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act. However, the impacts of the species on local biodiversity and the environment are not known.

Researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand are launching the Rose-ringed Parakeet Project to locate parakeet roosting/breeding sites and also investigate the size, distribution range and ecology of the Rose-ringed parakeet population in South Africa. This will be complemented by parallel studies (in association with European researchers and ParrotNet) focused on the behaviour of these birds in Gauteng and associated effects on native bird species. This will improve our understanding of the ecology and behaviour of the species in South African urban environments and ensure that informed decisions are made by policy makers regarding the status and management of this parrot.

Have you seen a Rose-ringed Parakeet?

All birders, citizen scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, and members of the public are invited to assist with and collaborate on the project by submitting sightings of these parakeets to the project database. We particularly need information on the exact location of permanent roosting and breeding sites as well as the number of parakeets seen.

Data submission guidelines:

Data can be submitted to the project in the following ways:

1. Using Google Forms. Please follow this link to the data form, fill it in, and submit. You may submit more than one form for the project. Please fill in all required fields as completely as possible. http://goo.gl/forms/jeAZ7qeZB3
2. Using BirdLasser, a mobile app. This app allows you to contribute bird sighting data in real-time and with accurate GPS       location data from your mobile device. The project is registered as a cause on the app, whereby more detailed data can be submitted. This app is available for iOS and Android devices. For more information see www.birdlasser.com.

If you have any photos of parakeets, please send them to us at urbanparakeets@gmail.com.

Please join our Facebook group (The Rose-ringed Parakeet Project- South Africa) for more information and updates.

If you have any questions or need further information please contact us using the email address above or alternatively contact  Elize Fourie (elize.fourie@wits.ac.za).

Thank you!

Elize Fourie

The Rose-ringed Parakeet Project,

School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences,

University of the Witwatersrand,

Johannesburg.