Indian ringneck parakeet
Background
Indian ringneck parakeets are a common species held in captivity. They are listed as a potential extreme pest in Australia, having established wild pest populations in many other countries with similar climates.
Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 you are allowed to keep, transport and sell Indian ringneck parakeets in South Australia but you are not allowed to release them.
Impacts
The Indian ringneck parakeet is a serious pest bird that:
- damages fruit in commercial orchards and home gardens
- damages and raids crops and grain store facilities
- competes with native bird species.
Identification
The native Port Lincoln ringneck is sometimes mistaken for the Indian ringneck. Compare the differences below.
Indian Ringneck parakeet
The Indian ringneck parakeet is typically a long-tailed, grass-green, red-beaked parrot, 37-43 cm in length (body and tail). Due to breeding mutations in captivity, the Indian ringneck can be found in a large variety of colours including green, white, blue, yellow and various shades of in between. Male birds have a narrow black and pink collar which is absent from female and immature birds.
The Indian ringneck parakeet is typically a long-tailed, grass-green, red-beaked parrot, 37-43 cm in length (body and tail). Due to breeding mutations in captivity, the Indian ringneck can be found in a large variety of colours including green, white, blue, yellow and various shades of in between. Male birds have a narrow black and pink collar which is absent from female and immature birds.
Port Lincoln parrot
The Port Lincoln Parrot is a subspecies of the Australian Ringneck, found in South Australia. It is a medium to large parrot, with mainly all green plumage and yellow feathers on the abdomen. It has a pale black head, blue cheeks and a distinctive yellow ring around the back of its neck.
The Port Lincoln Parrot is a subspecies of the Australian Ringneck, found in South Australia. It is a medium to large parrot, with mainly all green plumage and yellow feathers on the abdomen. It has a pale black head, blue cheeks and a distinctive yellow ring around the back of its neck.
Report Indian ringneck parakeets
The Indian ringneck parakeet has not yet become established in South Australia. To make sure this doesn’t happen, report all suspected sightings.
More information
Page last reviewed: 30 Apr 2021
