SHORT COMMUNICATIONS ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL 10: 115–117, 1999 © The Neotropical Ornithological Society FIRST REPORT ON THE ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET(PSITTACULA KRAMERI) IN VENEZUELA AND PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON ITS BEHAVIOR Javier Colvée Nebot Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon de Venezuela, Calle Veracruz, Edif Matisco, Las Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela. Key words: Psittaciformes, Psittacula krameri, possible subspecies, behavior, native species. In May 1996, several Rose-ringed Parakeet keet has been described from China, India (Psittacula krameri) individuals were observed and Burma to Africa (Fry et al. 1988, Forshaw in Parque del Este, a large park (85 ha) situ- 1989). It has also been introduced and ated within the eastern Caracas City limits, observed in a number of countries: Mauritius, Venezuela (10°30’24”N, 66°55’39”W). The Zanzíbar, Egypt, Oman, Republic of the present report corresponds apparently to the Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Hong Kong and first record of the presence of this species in Macao, Singapore, Cape Green Islands, feral populations in Venezuela and for main- Afghanistan, Kenya, Hawaiian Islands and land South America as a whole. continental USA, Great Britain, Adaman The introduction of exotic psittacids in Islands, Spain, Germany (Forshaw 1989), natural areas by accidental or intentional Netherlands (Long 1981), Belgium (Perrins means occurs quite frequently (Long 1981). 1990) and Curaçao (Voous 1983, 1985). In Venezuela, two introduced especies of Almost all observations noted in the psittacids: Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) present report were conducted in the large and Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) have densely forested areas of the Parque del Este, been reported in feral populations (Badillo & and some nearby forested patches (less than 5 Ulloa 1987, 1994). km from the park). The tree species repre- The presence of Psittacula krameri would sented in said areas and patches are mainly be thus, the third feral exotic psittacid species Mango (Mangifera indica), Jobo (Spondias introduced and breeding in the country. mombin), Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra), Almendron This species is very appreciated among (Terminalia catappa), Ficus (Ficus insipida), bird collectors (Forshaw 1989), therefore its Jabillo (Hura crepitans), Bucare (Erithrina introduction and eventual escapes are fre- glauca), Guayabo (Psidium guajava), Pomarosa quent outside their distribution range (Long (Syzygium jambos) and Palo (Triplaris caracas- 1981). Their presence must be, certainly, a sana). The general tree height may vary product of accidental or intentional escapes. between 2 and 30 m. The distribution of the Rose-ringed Para- According to personal observations, the 115 FAUNISTICS Parque del Este hosts other Venezuelan psitt- consists mainly of seeds and fleshy fruits: acids not native to the Caracas area, such as: Ficus insipida (Moraceae), Coccoloba podiformis Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara severa), Red- (Polygonaceae), Spondias monbin (Anacardi- and-green Macaw (Ara chloroptera), Scarlet aceae), Sida glomerata (Malvaeceae), Melicoccus Macaw (Ara macao) and Blue-and-yellow bijugatus (Sapindacea), Erythrina glauca (Legu- Macaw (Ara ararauna). An interview evalua- minosae) and Mangifera indica (Anacardiceae). tion of the older park keepers establishes the These trees are also frequented by other spe- presence (6 to 8 individuals) of Psittacula cies of psittacids such as: Chestnut-fronted krameri in Parque del Este since 1984. Macaw, Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona ama- Data gathering, photographing and zonica), Yellow-headed Parrot (Amazona ochro- recording occurred in a 7-month period cephala), Scarlet-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga (May-December, 1996). Using a 1:10,000 wagleri), Green-rumped Parrotlet (Forpus passe- map, divided in numbered sectors for easy rinus), Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris location, the observations were made using 7 juguularis) and Brown-throated Parakeet (Ara- x 50 binoculars and recording equipment, in inga pertinax). three continuous week day periods, during Their feeding occurs, most intensively, morning, noon and evening hours (06:00– during morning and late afternoon periods 9:30, 12:00–13:30 and 16:00–19:00). The (06:00–10:00 and 16:00–19:00). Noon hours observation periods were selected considering are devoted mostly to preening and rest. a generally higher bird activity when depart- When flying, they generally produce a ing or entering nest, roost or sleeping areas, shriek that consists of three notes, but while which were favorable for recording the at rest their shrieks consist of one to three behavior of the sighted individuals in each of notes. It is also frequent to hear a series of the numbered sectors. hisses and short notes when two individuals Tentatively, the observed species has been or more get together (Forshaw 1989). Pairs assigned to the subspecies Psittacula krameri usually rub their bills together. Females, when manillensis (Neumann), considering the follow- near a male, tend to make fast forward and ing characteristics in adult males: green color, lateral head movements. with a black collar and a black band around Occasional groups are formed exclusively bill, upper mandible wholly red, lower mandi- by male adult or male juvenile individuals (5 ble blackish (Fry et al. 1988), red shining to 8). These groups move freely through the behind the black collar, belly and under tail- observed area. When a group occupies a feed- coverts yellowish green, uppermost tail feath- ing tree, the individuals show an aggressive ers bluish green with yellow tips, yellow- behavior towards each other, putting their orange iris, and gray feet (Vriends 1979). The bodies in an erected position and accomplish- adult females lack the black collar and the red ing a series of vocalizations and rapid move- shining behind it. The recorded individuals ments of their wings, which they beat rapidly are larger than the subspecies krameri and against their body. The observed juveniles present a larger bill (Forshaw 1989). when in presence of an adult male adopt a All the recorded individuals wander freely conduct of harassment for food, which the within the Parque del Este limits and nearby adult generally regurgitates. densely forested patches, in groups of 2–8 It could be concluded that this feral exotic individuals and are rarely seen alone. They bird population is freely breeding and increas- shelter in tree tops that provide lower sun ing in the Parque del Este and surrounding incidence and less visibility. Their feeding areas. This observation is supported by a high 116 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS proportion of recorded juvenile individuals, REFERENCES which are similar to the females, but differ by their central tail feathers which are shorter, Badillo, F. A., & M. G. Ulloa. 1987. Introducción a the presence of a pink bill, a gray-white iris, Venezuela de potenciales aves psittacidae. Bol. and legs presenting a grayish tonality (For- Soc. Ven. Cienc. Nat. 41(144): 154–156. shaw 1989). Badillo, F. A., & M. G. Ulloa. 1994. The hazards of importing exotic parrots without control. Pp. The latest recorded total population for 193–196 in Morales, G., I. Novo, D. Bigio, A. the studied area (December 1997) was esti- Luy, & F. Rojas-Suarez (eds.). BiologÌa y con- mated to 50–60 individuals with a 50–50% servación de los psitacidos de Venezuela. Grá- ratio between juveniles and adults. ficas Giavimar, Caracas. It could be considered that the introduc- Forshaw, J. 1989. Parrots of the world. Lansdowne tion of exotic psittacids in Venezuela may be Editions, Willoughby, Australia. a regional negative factor if the observed Fry, C. H., K. Stuart., & E. K. Urban. 1988. The psittacids compete favorably with the native birds of Africa. Volume 3. Academic Press, species to a point of complete displacement London, UK. of the latter. Once, I observed the interaction Long, L. J. 1981. Introduced birds of the world. between two individuals of Psittacula krameri David & Charles, London, UK. Perrins, M. C. 1990. The illustrated encyclopedia and Aratinga wagleri (Chacaraco) competing of birds. Prentice Hall, New York. for the occupation of a tree hole which was, Voous, K. H. 1983. Birds of Netherlands Antilles. finally, occupied by the former. Foundation for Scientific Research in Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles, Utrecht.. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Voous, K. H. 1985. Additions to the avifauna of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, South Caribbean. I am indebted to Carlos Bosque and Ray- Ornithol. Monogr. 36: 247–254. mond McNeil for their constructive com- Vriends, M. M. 1979. Parakeets of the world. T.F.H ments on the manuscript. I thank Wuiliam Publications, London, UK. Carrero (Director, Parque del Este) and Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon de Ven- ezuela for their support. Accepted 10 December 1998. 117 .