In Paris, pigeons and sparrows are legion. But sometimes, as we stroll along the streets, we're surprised to see far more exotic birds flying overhead. Green parakeets, or more precisely ring-necked parakeets , recognizable by their green plumage, black collar and red beak. For some local residents, these exotic species are an ordeal, not least because of the noise they cause.
But how did these exotic birds, originally from Africa and Asia, come to the capital from the rainforests? An incident at Orly airport in the 1970s is at the root of this phenomenon, which can be observed in Paris as well as in the suburbs. Yes, you've guessed it, these parakeets did fly here! They apparently escaped during a transfer in 1976 and have since adapted to the climate, proliferating to such an extent that they can now be seen all over the Paris region.
Their population is estimated to be between 10,000 and 20,000 individuals, and the species is classified as invasive according to a government decree. They can even be found in other European cities. So next time you spot a flock of ring-necked parakeets in the Paris region, you'll know the reason behind their presence!
