Guidance sought over future of colourful parakeets in Belfast park

Advice is being sought from a Stormont department about the future of a flock of colourful tropical parakeets which have taken up residence in a park in north Belfast.

Around 15 of the birds with bright green feathers and red beaks have been attracting amateur wildlife photographers to the Waterworks Park.

While the birds are proving popular with visitors, concerns have been raised about the potential impact to native animals from the invasive species.

Conor McKinney, the chairman of Wild Belfast, told the BBC that the council and Northern Ireland Environment Agency should return the birds to captivity and negate any potential risks of further spread.

A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: “Council are currently seeking advice from the relevant government department, DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs), in regard to the parakeets at Waterworks Park.”

A spokeswoman for DAERA said: “The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is in contact with Belfast City Council about the parakeets and is assessing options for further action.

“The NIEA highlights the Be Pet Wise campaign to encourage pet owners to look after their pets and ‘don’t let them loose’.”