Rose-ringed Parakeet
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Species: Psittacula krameri
Description
- The rose-ring parakeet (RRP) is a long-lived green parakeet native to the Indian subcontinent.
- The average size is about 16 inches, including long tail feathers.
- Males have a red or black neck ring.
Impacts
- RRP are a significant agricultural pest and cause damage to valuable food crops, especially fruits and grains.
- They can also affect wildlife by transporting invasive seeds, displacing cavity nesters, and potentially spreading disease.
- Their mass roosting behavior, loud calls, and accumulated droppings cause disturbance to humans and are a potential public health risk.
On Kauai
On Kauai, RRP have successfully invaded farm lands as well as residential and natural areas. The birds have been observed consuming fruit including longan, lychee, mango, orange, Pritchardia, and corn seeds, causing significant crop losses. First introduced to the island in the 1960’s, RRP took several decades to enter into exponential growth, in 2018 the population was estimated to number more than 6,800 birds.
Response
Currently, a state-funded, USDA/NWRC-directed, 2-year project is working to assess tools and develop a management plan for population-level parakeet control on the island.
Phase l
Involved a comprehensive review of potential control tools, studies of RRP demographics, and development of a set of interim guidelines for stakeholders. Phase I has been completed and the final reports are available in the Publications List below.
Phase II
Involves conducting field trials of the most promising tools and development of a comprehensive, island-wide population control plan. Phase II is currently ongoing in 2020.
Pest Alerts and Publications
Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 15. Psittacula krameri, the Rose-Ringed Parakeet. Pacific Science (2019) 73:4, 421-449. This is a new scientific publication detailing RRP biology, impacts, and management to date of RRP in the Pacific.
Critical review of potential control tools for reducing damage by the invasive Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) on the Hawaiian Islands. This is the USDA-APHIS-WS NWRC Final Report on Phase I (52 pages).
USDA-APHIS-WS NWRC Wildlife Damage Manage. This is a condensed version of the Final Report for Phase I (16 pages).
Damage Management Options Fact Sheet. An interim summary of options for stakeholders (2 pages).
RRP Kauai FAQ sheet updated March, 2020. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (2 pages)
USDA-APHIS-WS NWRC Wildlife Damage Management Series: Rose Ringed Parakeets. This is a condensed version of the Final Report for Phase I (16 pages).
The Kauai RRP Working Group:
RRP response efforts on Kauai are being coordinated by a multi-agency working group comprised of federal, state, and local government, non-profit and private partners. Members include:
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS-WS) in Lihue, HI
- USDA-APHIS-WS National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Hilo, HI; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; and Gainesville, FL
- Hawaii State Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Wildlife
- Hawaii State Department of Agriculture
- Hawaii State Department of Health
- County of Kauai, Office of Economic Development
- University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources
- Hawaii Invasive Species Council
- Kauai Invasive Species Committee
- Kauai County Farm Bureau
- Kauai Landscape Industry Council
