Londoners plagued by ring-necked parakeets have found an unlikely solution: rubber snakes. Stephen Pound, a resident of west London, discovered that draping bird feeders with realistic rubber serpents drove away the invasive birds, allowing native species to return. He attributes the success to the parakeets' tropical origins and an atavistic fear of snakes.
Pound described the parakeets as 'greedy greens' that descended in flashmobs on his bird tables, driving away native birds. The rubber snakes achieved an 'almost instant absence' of the parakeets, enabling other birds to enjoy suet and seeds without disruption.
Dr Andrew Bodey of Oxford warned of the broader impact of the parakeets, noting they rapidly devour flowers from trees, leaving debris below. He highlighted the threat to fruit farmers and gardeners, and called for early action against the spread of invasive species.
Nigel Walker of Hutton Roof, Cumbria, offered a historical solution from a Mrs Beeton's cookbook: a recipe for parrot pie, listing '1 dozen paraqueets' as an ingredient.
