You might be amazed to find European parks buzzing with vibrant green-feathered birds sporting red beaks and bluish tails. These rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri), originally native to Africa and the Indian subcontinent, have been thriving in cities like Amsterdam, Lisbon, London, and Paris for decades. Easily recognizable by their striking plumage and unique squeaking calls, they’ve become a familiar sight in urban landscapes. Over the years, urban legends have circulated about their origins, including one that claims musician Jimi Hendrix released them in England—an entertaining tale that adds to their mystique.
But how did these parakeets originally spread across Europe, and what are we doing about it? Click through to find out.