In fact, the non-native Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is now a common sight in many parts of the continent – and they could be posing a major threat.

Researchers are now asking members of the public to help keep tabs on numbers by reporting sightings.

The new study, conducted by Dr Rachel White, Senior Lecturer in ecology and conservation from the University of Brighton’s College of Life, Health and Physical Sciences, and European colleagues as part of the ParrotNet research network, has shown that parakeets are on the march across European cities.

The research provides an overview of the state of the Ring-necked Parakeet populations across Europe, along with the most detailed estimate of the total number of European populations so far. In East and Northern Europe, Ring-necked Parakeets remain scarce, but across other parts of the continent, numerous growing populations can be found. The European total has been estimated in this study to be no less than 85,000 birds.