Parakeet Damages Vehicles in Lochardil, Inverness
A parakeet, a type of parrot, has been identified as the cause of significant damage to cars in the Lochardil area of Inverness since February 2023. Local residents have reported the bird pecking at window seals and windscreen wipers, resulting in hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
Residents have observed the bird removing large chunks of rubber from vehicles, leading to costly repairs. Cathleen MacKinnon, a local resident, described the situation to BBC Radio Scotland's Out of Doors programme.
"Parakeet is not a good word round here in Inverness," said MacKinnon. "This little chap causes havoc on the cars around here."
She added,
"I have never seen the bird - I have just seen the damage it causes."
In response to the damage, some neighbours have resorted to covering their cars with tarpaulin. One resident reportedly spent £800 on repairs due to the bird's actions.
Community Experiences and Efforts to Address the Issue
Another resident, Chrissanne Robertson, reported sightings of the bird in their street earlier this year. Initially, residents found the bird visually appealing, but their perception changed after witnessing the damage.
"And of course, we all thought it looked lovely, until we saw the damage it was doing to the cars," Robertson said.
She noted the bird has caused extensive damage along the street and expressed frustration over the inability to prevent it.
"He's done a lot of damage to cars up and down the street and we can't do anything about it."
Robertson estimates that the bird has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage during its presence in the area.
"Sometimes we'll see him, sometimes we won't," she said. "Sometimes it leaves, it can be away for a couple of weeks, and we think, 'oh we won't see it again', but then somebody will go out the next day and you'll hear a shout of 'he's back again!'"
Residents have contacted several organizations, including RSPB Scotland, the Scottish SPCA, and NatureScot, seeking assistance, but have been informed that these bodies are unable to intervene.
"We're trying everything, but the bird is still here," Robertson said. "I don't know what we're going to do - we laugh about it some days and cry other days."
Background on Parakeets in the UK
According to the RSPB, parakeets are the only naturalised parrot species in the UK and are commonly found in London and parts of the south-east of England. There are approximately 8,600 breeding pairs nationwide, with a wingspan of up to 48cm (19in).
However, parakeets are rare in northern Scotland, and the bird in Lochardil is believed to be an escaped pet rather than a wild individual.
Official Responses
A spokesperson for Highland Council stated that their environmental health team would not intervene as the birds are considered wild.
RSPB Scotland, the Scottish SPCA, and NatureScot have been contacted for comment regarding the situation.
