In Bloomfield Garden, at the heart of Jerusalem, passersby look up and notice a flash of green perched calmly on an overhead wire. The parrot does not flinch or rush away. It watches the city below with the assurance of a creature that knows it belongs. This is the rose-ringed parakeet, a bird that has quietly but decisively claimed its place in Jerusalem’s urban sky.
The rose-ringed parakeet, also known as the ring-necked parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot with a strong curved beak and a long tail. Its vivid green plumage stands out against the stone and trees of the city, and adult males are marked by a dark ring around the neck. Once rare, the species is now a familiar sight in public parks, tree-lined streets and residential neighborhoods throughout Jerusalem. Bloomfield Garden, with its tall trees and relative calm, offers ideal conditions for roosting and feeding.
There is something disorienting about seeing a tropical parrot woven into the everyday rhythm of Jerusalem. The bird does not hide from human presence. It settles on wires and treetops, calls across the park, and moves through the city as if it has always been part of the scene. For many residents, the parakeet has become another small but striking feature of daily urban life.
Why is the rose-ringed parakeet now common in Jerusalem?
Behind the bright colors lies a more complex ecological story. The rose-ringed parakeet is classified in Israel as an invasive species – a non-native animal introduced through human activity. Native to parts of South Asia and Africa, the parakeet was brought to many countries as a pet. Over time, escaped or released birds formed breeding populations in the wild.
Jerusalem has proven especially welcoming. The parakeet adapts quickly, lives in social groups, and takes advantage of food sources and nesting sites created by the urban environment. Its growing numbers have raised concerns among environmental experts, as the species can compete with native birds for nesting cavities and resources.
Yet the reality on the ground is more nuanced. The parakeet is no longer a rare visitor. It is a settled presence, reshaping the soundscape and skyline of the city. Whether viewed as an ecological challenge or as an unexpected splash of color, the green parrot above Bloomfield Garden reflects a broader transformation – a city where wildlife and urban life are increasingly intertwined.
