The Indian Ringneck is a long-tailed, grass-green, red-beaked parrot, 37 cm to 43 cm in length (body and tail). Male birds have a narrow black and pink collar which is absent from female and immature birds. Indian Ringnecks are very vocal with a variety of distinctive screeching calls. They can be identifi ed by their typical shrill kee-ak call which is unlike that of any native parrot. Their flight is swift and direct with rapid wing beats.
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Mistaken identity
Escaped Indian Ringnecks are often mistaken for native parrots. At least four Australian parrots occur in urban areas where Indian Ringnecks are likely to be seen. These species are of similar size to the Indian Ringneck and have long tails. They are:
• Australian or Port Lincoln Ringneck Parrot (occurs in all states except Tasmania)
• Red-winged Parrot (occurs in northern and north-eastern Australia)
• Red-rumped Parrot (occurs in eastern South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and southern Queensland)
• Eastern Rosella (occurs in south-east South Australia,Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and south-east
Queensland).
Distribution
The Indian Ringneck is common throughout much of its extensive natural range. It occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia from Afghanistan and Pakistan east through India to Myanmar (Burma) andsouth-east China. Populations resulting from the escape or release of caged birds occur in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Japan, Singapore and several island groups including the Hawaiian, Canary, Andaman and Maldive islands. Many of these populations are expanding in size and range.
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Habitat
Indian Ringnecks occupy a range of habitats including semi-desert, open scrub, bushland, evergreen forest, light rainforest and agricultural land with scattered trees. They also inhabit gardens, orchards, towns and cities.
Introduced populations are found mainly in cities and towns where they rely on rich fruit-bearing vegetation and bird feeders for food. In England these populations are spreading from towns into rural areas. In Western Australia escaped Indian Ringnecks are often attracted to bird feeders containing seed or fruit put out for
other species.
Reproduction, Food and Behaviour
Indian Ringnecks usually nest in tree hollows higher than 3.5 m off the ground, but they can also use holes in rock faces,roof cavities and walls. They eat a wide variety of foods including cereal grains, legumes, fruits, nuts and blossoms. Indian Ringnecks are assertive, adaptable and resourceful. Being social birds they are usually seen in small groups but they can form large fl ocks of hundreds at roosts and food sources. The species is long-lived, commonly surviving in captivity for 20 years.
Damage by Indian Ringnecks
The Indian Ringneck, like many of its parrot relatives, is a major pest of agriculture within its natural range. Large numbers of ringnecks raid crops and grain storage facilities causing enormous losses. A variety of economically important crops are attacked including barley, sunfl ower, nuts and fruit such as mango, guava, fi g, grape and peach. Introduced populations eat and destroy fruit as well as damage trees in orchards, vineyards, parks and gardens. They are thought to compete with native species for nest hollows, often occupying them before native birds begin to breed. Large numbers living in parks are a nuisance because
of noise and damage to trees.
Potential to be a pest in Australia
The Indian Ringneck is rated as being highly likely to establish populations in Australia and become a pest of agriculture, the environment and public amenity. A scientifi c risk assessment conducted by the Department
of Agriculture and Food in Western Australia and endorsed by the national Vertebrate Pests Committee indicates that the Indian Ringneck poses an extreme threat (the highest of four categories) to Australia. Part of the assessment showed that the climate of the ringneck’s overseas range is similar to Australia’s climate . It is therefore important that birds found in the wild in Australia are removed quickly. Indian Ringnecks could
threaten biodiversity here if they become established in the wild. Native parrots such as rosellas and the endangered Swift Parrot may be at risk from competition for nest hollows. Agricultural crops such as sunfl owers, other oilseeds, grapes and other fruit could be at risk.
