Ring necked parakeet Psittacula krameri, London


There are no native parrots in Europe, but one species has been accidentally introduced into a number of areas, including south-east England.

Parrots (and parakeets, cockatoos, lovebirds and other related species) have rounded heads, short, deeply hooked beaks, usually long and tapered wings and, in many species, long tails. Their short legs and feet have two toes forwards, two back - most birds have three facing forwards, one back - and they are exceptionally agile when feeding.