The species that has the widest range, and that by far, is the common Ring-necked Parakeet, Palaeornis torquatus, a well-known cage-bird which is found from the mouth of the Gambia across Africa to the coast of the Red Sea, as well as throughout the whole of India, Ceylon and Burmah to Tenasserim.
Its naturalization in western Europe is very ancient, but the race supposed to have been introduced by the Romans (Phasianus colchicus) has been much modified within the last century or two by the introduction of the ring-necked Chinese form (P. torquatus), which produces fertile hybrids with the old breed.
I work in two cities where the Ring-necked Parakeet is common, so I know the calls better than the average visiting birder.
Whilst some people toured the world-famous Abbey Gardens, the rest were treated to a Ring-necked Duck, a Spoonbill and several Little egrets.
Did you see any of the ring necked parakeets.
