Parakeet should be back in the wild says bird expert
By Alex Valk Northampton chronincle & Echo
BIRD lovers across Northamptonshire have been spitting feathers over the caging of Abington Park’s ringneck parakeets.
The Chronicle & Echo received dozens of calls and emails yesterday from people angry about Northampton Borough Council’s move to capture the birds, which have become part of the scenery at the beauty spot.
A spokesman for the authority has claimed the birds were being held in the park’s aviary to protect them from crows.
But bird expert Andy Meads, from the Safewings Wildlife Conservation Project based in Isham, said: “It is against the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1983 to trap birds without a licence and even though these parakeets are not considered fully native, they are still protected under the Act.
“In principle, although a grey area, the park rangers risk breaking the law and it is morally wrong at best to take a wild bird and put it on show in captivity.”
Mike Alibone from Northamptonshire Bird Club added: “If those birds are wild birds they are not allowed to do this. As for this business with the crows, they are not in danger from them. If the idea is to put them in a cage for their safety from crows, you could say that about every bird in the UK.
And Andrew Waters from the RSPB said the authority should have liaised with DEFRA to ensure the birds were not wild. He told the Chron: “Legally, the birds should be assessed and then a licence obtained to catch them.”
A spokesman for Northampton Borough Council said: “We have been in contact with both the RSPB and the wildlife law enforcement officer for Northamptonshire Police about the capture of the bird.”
“Our birdkeeper believed the parakeet rescued earlier this week was an escaped pet because of its tame nature. After witnessing repeated attacks by crows, our birdkeeper became worried for its safety and decided to take action to protect it.
“The bird is now safely inside the aviary in Abington Park with three other ringneck parakeets, where it is being cared for.”
Pc Glynne Malkin, wildlife law enforcement officer for Northamptonshire Police, said: “The bird’s behaviour did not indicate that it is wild and the correct course of action has been taken. I have liaised with the RSPB who are aware of the situation.”
Meanwhile, Justin Stubbs, an animal tracking officer for the RSPCA, has warned anyone thinking of freeing the birds from the aviary they would be breaking the law. He said: “If anybody were to re-release them now they could face up to six months in prison.”