Keep an eye out for invasive parakeet
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The Maui News
Officials are asking the public to report any sightings of the invasive Rose-ringed Parakeet, after one bird was captured in Kihei and four others were seen in West Maui.
The capture resulted from an online report to www.643pest.org, which is run by the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.
At least four more Rose-ringed Parakeets remain at large in West Maui, according to a news release from the Maui Invasive Species Committee. It said the four birds were reported by a Napili resident who saw them frequenting a bird feeder, and their presence was confirmed during follow-up visits by staff from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project.
Efforts were made to capture the birds July 30, but they were not seen and are believed to have moved on to another feeding location, according to the news release.
Rose-ringed Parakeets, which are native to equatorial Africa and Asia, are agricultural pests that cause extensive damage to food crops, especially fruits and grains, according to the news release. There are invasive populations of the species in more than 35 countries.
Oahu, Hawaii island and Kauai have established populations of Rose-ringed Parakeets, according to the news release.
"Their high-density roosts, loud calls and mass accumulation of droppings cause disturbance to humans and are a potential public health risk," the news release says. "If they reach native forests, their impact on native ecosystems could be substantial."
On Kauai, where the most recent population estimate is over 10,000, Rose-ringed Parakeets "have already successfully invaded farmland and have caused significant losses to harvests," the news release says.
On Maui, the Maui Invasive Species Committee is asking residents to report any sightings of the bird at www. 643pest.org or by calling 643-7378. Questions can be sent to miscpr@hawaii.edu.