A flock of ring-necked parakeets that were filmed feasting on the wall of a 19th Century barn were echoing Amazonian feeding habits, an expert has explained.
A video of the birds, who were on a farm near Welwyn in Hertfordshire, was shared widely on social media last month.
Jack Baddams, an ornithologist and researcher for the BBC’s Springwatch programme, explained the parakeets were eating the barn’s mortar to consume its minerals and salts to supplement their diet.
“This was really cool when I saw this video because I’ve seen a similar behaviour out in the Amazon.”
Natalie Bosher, who owns the barn, said: “I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing in Hertfordshire.”
The species are the UK’s only naturalised parrot.
BBC News
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