30 Nov 2021

Otago Museum's new copycat parakeets

From Lately, 10:49 pm on 30 November 2021

Four Indian ring-necked parakeets are soon to be released into Otago Museum's tropical forest. The birds are renowned for their unique talent of mimicking repeated words. The species have an estimated life-span of 30 years but the four parakeets in Otago are only a few months old and have not yet mastered the ability to repeat words and phrases. Otago Museum science communicator Kate Irving shares how they've been caring for the parakeets and how they plan on releasing them into the forest.

Indian ring-necked parakeets at Butterfly House

Indian ring-necked parakeets at Butterfly House Photo: Supplied