RSPCA confirm parrot spotted around University of Sunderland is doing well in the wild
Peter managed to capture the creature on his camera and sent it to the Echo.
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Hide AdWildlife organisations looked at the photos and confirmed that the parrot is a parakeet
A spokesperson for Durham Wildlife Trust said: “This bird could be an escaped pet or part of the naturalised population that began breeding in the wild after birds escaped from captivity.”
Since then, the parrot – who still hasn’t been named – has been spotted around the University of Sunderland St Peter’s campus numerous times.
It was recently reported to the RSPCA as a possible lost pet when it was spotted on Tuesday, November 19 around the car park between the university buildings and the National Glass Centre.
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Hide AdAccording to the RSPCA, it has stayed mostly outside of the David Goldman Informatics Centre and appears to be continuing to eat from the trees.
Evie Button, RSPCA Scientific Officer in Exotics and Wildlife Trade said: “The bird appears to be a ring-necked parakeet which is what’s referred to as a ‘naturalised’ bird, meaning that they have been successfully introduced to a country outside of their natural range.
“However this species, particularly the blue morph, is also often kept as a pet so we can’t say for sure whether this bird is an escaped pet or whether they are in fact a wild bird living in the area.
“There are populations in the South but we understand birds have been seen elsewhere in the country.
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Hide Ad“From the images the bird appears to be feeding which would suggest that the bird is able to survive in the wild.”
While wildlife experts have confirmed that the parrot is coping well in the wild, there is still a chance that it could be someones pet. If you have any information, contact the RSPCA at the Sunderland branch or call 0191 250 7148 or email [email protected]