Parrots in Cologne: Where to observe them

In late May, I traveled to Cologne to observe the parrots in Cologne up close. The striking green birds have now become a familiar part of the cityscape, even though they are not originally native to Germany. In this article, I report on my observations and show where the parrots can be observed particularly well.

Parrots in Cologne

Kingfishers, hoopoes, and orioles – Germany is home to bird species that, at first glance, one would rather expect to find in tropical or subtropical regions.

The kingfisher, with its bright blue back, orange chest, and long, pointed bill, almost resembles a tropical bird. The hoopoe is sometimes even referred to as the “punk among birds” because of its striking crest. Orioles also stand out, especially the males with their vivid yellow plumage. Overall, it becomes clear that even in Germany one can observe species that are more commonly associated with distant, warmer regions.

I have actually already seen a kingfisher in Berlin’s Tiergarten, but I was only able to properly photograph one in Greece (photo on the left). Hoopoes are now being observed more frequently outside Berlin; I photographed one in Portugal (photo on the right). Orioles, however, I have only ever heard so far, but never seen – neither in Germany nor elsewhere.

Although they may appear somewhat exotic at first glance, kingfishers, hoopoes, and orioles are native bird species in Germany. The kingfisher even remains here year-round, while the hoopoe and the golden oriole migrate to Africa during the winter months. In this sense, their presence is not unusual at all – they are a natural part of the local avifauna.

All the more unusual, then, is the encounter with a cockatiel on Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin. The area is typically home to skylarks, a characteristic grassland species that has found an important habitat in the open landscape of the former airport. But what is a cockatiel doing in a tree on Tempelhofer Feld all of a sudden?

I cannot answer this question with certainty; the cockatiel was most likely either kept in private captivity or had escaped from an aviary. Although Germany does have some native bird species that can appear exotic at first glance, cockatiels are not among them. They are originally native to Australia and are not indigenous to Germany.

For me, this was the first and so far only sighting of a cockatiel in Berlin. Given the climate, it is likely difficult for these birds to establish themselves as a fully naturalised species in the city. Even on platforms such as iNaturalist, there are only a few scattered records of this species in Berlin and other parts of Germany.

The situation is quite different for other species, such as the parrots in Cologne and in other cities along the Rhine.

The first time I encountered the parrots was somewhere near Mannheim. I can no longer remember the exact location, but I still clearly recall a few parakeets flying past me at high speed.

At the time, I was neither equipped with a camera nor specifically looking for them.

In Cologne, however, the situation was very different: there, I deliberately set out to search for the parrots in Cologne. In fact, I even visited the city primarily because of these birds—although I naturally also took the time to explore Cologne itself.

Before my trip, however, I had several questions: Where is the best place to observe the parrots in Cologne? When is the best time to see them? And which species are they actually?

Throughout this blog post, I will address these questions. One of them, however, can be answered immediately: the last one. The parrots in Cologne are in fact two different species, namely rose-ringed parakeets (left photo) and Alexandrine parakeets (right photo). I will first briefly introduce both species before going on to describe my observations.

The rose-ringed parakeet

The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), occasionally also referred to as the ring-necked parakeet, is one of the two parrot species occurring in the wild in Cologne. The first documented breeding pair was recorded there in 1969. The species is originally native to South and Southeast Asia, although an African subspecies also exists. The birds found in Germany are descended from escaped or released captive individuals and have since become established as introduced species and are now widespread.

Populations have increased significantly over the past decades: while around 650 to 880 breeding pairs were still recorded in the Rhineland in 2006, estimates for the period 2017 to 2022 already range between approximately 4,600 and 7,500 breeding pairs. The species has thus successfully established itself in Germany and considerably expanded its range, with the Rhineland – including Cologne – playing a central role in this expansion.

In cities such as Cologne, rose-ringed parakeets are mainly found in parks with mature trees as well as along heavily frequented areas such as the Rhine promenade. There they use tree cavities for breeding and trees as roosting sites. Their natural habitat, however, consists of savannas, open woodlands, and scrubland.

With their bright green plumage, rose-ringed parakeets are hard to miss. Also characteristic are their long, pointed tail and their strong red beak.

A clear sexual dimorphism is present as well: females are uniformly green, while males display a black throat band and a pink-and-black neck ring. Juveniles initially resemble the females in appearance.

The Alexandrine parakeet

The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), also known as the Alexandrine parrot, originates like the rose-ringed parakeet from South and Southeast Asia and is also found in Germany as an introduced species, including in the Cologne area. For the period from 2017 to 2022, an estimated 380 to 500 breeding pairs were recorded nationwide. This population size is significantly lower than that of the rose-ringed parakeet, but it likewise shows an overall positive development trend. Particularly in the Rhine-Main region and along the Rhine, populations appear to be stabilising and in some areas expanding.

The Alexandrine parakeet is larger than the rose-ringed parakeet.

Like the rose-ringed parakeet, it has predominantly green plumage, but is distinguished by prominent red shoulder patches on the wings. As in the rose-ringed parakeet, there is a clear sexual dimorphism: males have a black throat band and a pink nape band, while these features are absent in females.

Both species share the behaviour of gathering in larger groups at so-called roost trees in the evening hours. While the rose-ringed parakeet has been documented in the wild in Germany since the late 1960s, the Alexandrine parakeet was not first recorded in the wild until the 1980s.

Where to observe parrots in Cologne

Rose-ringed parakeets along the Rhine promenade

Shortly after my arrival in the evening, I was drawn to the Rhine promenade. Conveniently, my accommodation was located right by the Rhine. However, the hoped-for rose-ringed parakeets were slow to appear. Instead, the lawns, steps, and riverside promenades were filled with people enjoying the first hot days of the year. The long weekend brought Cologne bright sunshine, hardly a cloud in the sky, and only a light breeze. In contrast, there was neither sight nor sound of the parakeets.

As I was still somewhat tired from the journey, I decided to try again the next morning. Hoping for fewer people, the next morning, I set off early for the Rhine promenade – and was rewarded. The crowds had disappeared, and instead I encountered the first parrots in Cologne.

However, photographing the rose-ringed parakeets proved more difficult than expected.

It was still before sunrise, and the large flocks I knew from nature documentaries did not appear. Instead, only a few rose-ringed parakeets were sitting well hidden in the trees near the Maritim Hotel.

It was only after some time that one of the birds moved a little further into the open. Finally, I was able to see its face.

I did wonder, however, why the rose-ringed parakeets had chosen roost trees so close to the Maritim Hotel. Although there were far fewer people around in the early morning—apart from the city cleaning crews clearing away the rubbish from the long weekend—it was anything but quiet. Even before 6 a.m., one car after another was already making its way along the streets.

In fact, rose-ringed parakeets are thought to choose these roost trees in the city centre quite deliberately. Constant traffic, large numbers of people, and artificial lighting at night tend to keep potential predators such as goshawks and peregrine falcons at a distance. As a result, the parrots in Cologne are comparatively well protected at the busy Rhine promenade during the night.

Street lighting may also help them detect approaching predators at an early stage and escape in time. In addition, parrots in Cologne often gather in larger groups at their roosting sites. This increases their safety, as many eyes are better than two.

As the sun rose on the opposite side of the Rhine, I realised that I much preferred the early morning hours to the bustle of the evening. Although I returned to the riverfront later that day to look for the parrots in Cologne once again, the area was by then crowded with people. Looking back, I appreciated the peaceful morning atmosphere with the rose-ringed parakeets and the sunrise even more.

Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a male perched well hidden among the leaves.

It was anything but easy to spot this rose-ringed parakeet. Its green plumage blended almost perfectly with the foliage, and it remained completely motionless in the tree.

As much as I enjoyed the sighting, the parrots in Cologne are not popular with everyone. In some areas, they have even been given the mocking nickname “Kackadei” – a play on words referring to the droppings that accumulate beneath their roost trees. Their noise is also occasionally criticised, although this is mainly associated with their evening arrivals, while the birds themselves are usually quiet throughout the night.

Unfortunately, conflicts have arisen in the past, with attempts being made to drive the birds away using floodlights or loud noises such as firecrackers.

In recent years, rose-ringed parakeets have also been observed more frequently around residential buildings. They are not always welcomed there, particularly when they use existing cavities in façades or insulation materials as nesting sites. Such cavities are often originally created by woodpeckers and later occupied by the parakeets. While these spaces provide suitable breeding sites for the birds, they can cause problems for property owners. Since breeding birds are protected by law, removing or disturbing them during the nesting period is not permitted. As a result, nest boxes are increasingly being promoted as a possible solution.

And what impact do the larger Alexandrine parakeets have on the smaller rose-ringed parakeets?

According to my research, Alexandrine parakeets appear to be becoming increasingly dominant and may be locally displacing rose-ringed parakeets in some areas. The parrot in the photo is an Alexandrine parakeet that had settled in a tree along the Rhine, just like the rose-ringed parakeets.

I have to admit that I was not paying close enough attention at first. I had assumed that I was seeing only rose-ringed parakeets. It was only through comments and identifications on the citizen science platform iNaturalist that I realised Alexandrine parakeets were also present among the parrots along Cologne’s Rhine promenade. Oh dear – my inattentive eyes.

Afterwards, I took a closer look at my photographs and, indeed, there were parakeets showing the characteristic red shoulder patch. Depending on the bird’s posture, however, this feature was more or less visible. In some images, it was barely noticeable, meaning that one really had to look carefully to spot it.

Nevertheless, to the best of my knowledge, the population of rose-ringed parakeets in Cologne is still considerably larger than that of Alexandrine parakeets. Rose-ringed parakeets have been established in the city for decades and are therefore much more common. Alexandrine parakeets arrived later but appear to be strong competitors in some local areas.

Because both species have very similar ecological requirements—such as the use of tree cavities for nesting, shared roost trees, and the exploitation of urban parks—competition between the two parrot species occurs regularly in Cologne.

During my long weekend in Cologne, I actually observed far more Alexandrine parakeets than rose-ringed parakeets. It will be interesting to see how their populations develop over the coming years.

In the following sections, I will continue with my observations of the Alexandrine parakeets (photo: rose-ringed parakeet).

Alexandrine parakeets in Stadtgarten

As pleased as I was to have spotted rose-ringed parakeets along the Rhine promenade, the birds I encountered at the other locations were exclusively Alexandrine parakeets. I was able to identify them mainly by their distinctive red shoulder patches.

After my visit to the riverfront, I made my way to the Stadtgarten. There, I hoped to observe even more of the parrots in Cologne.

I could hear their piercing calls from a distance, which only increased my optimism. At first, however, all I found were the entrances to numerous tree cavities, especially in the old plane trees. The parakeets had to be somewhere in the treetops—but they were perched so high above the ground that they were difficult to make out.

I patiently watched the tree cavities, hoping to catch a parakeet arriving at or leaving one of them.

By now, constantly looking up was beginning to take its toll on my neck. Nevertheless, I kept my camera in my hands at all times, determined not to miss a promising opportunity.

Then, at last, one of the feathered residents revealed itself. An Alexandrine parakeet flew in, perched in front of its tree cavity in a plane tree, and looked down at me curiously.

Eventually, my attention was drawn to a male Alexandrine parakeet perched high on a branch, watching me attentively from above.

Its sex was relatively easy to determine: the black neck ring and the pink nape band are characteristic features of an adult male.

The green plumage of the parrots in Cologne blended beautifully into the canopy of the trees. Often, I had to look twice just to spot the birds among the branches and leaves.

However, I did not remain unnoticed for long that morning. Passers-by repeatedly approached me about my large lens. I cannot blame them—seen from the outside, the equipment does look impressive. But anyone photographing birds usually relies on a large telephoto lens.

Others asked curiously what I was photographing. When I told them about the parrots in Cologne and explained that they were sitting high up in the trees, their interest was usually sparked immediately. Some even wanted to see the images on my camera screen, a request I was happy to fulfil.

After these conversations, I continued my observations. I now paid particular attention to the tree cavities, as Alexandrine parakeets were repeatedly flying in and out of them.

At the same time, I found myself thinking that Alexandrine parakeets are rather peculiar—if undeniably beautiful—birds. At times, I could not help but smile at them, especially when they surveyed their surroundings with their curious expressions and somewhat comical facial movements.

I continued scanning for the birds. Among the parrots in Cologne’s Stadtgarten, I had so far only been able to find Alexandrine parakeets. Of course, I was aware that, with my untrained eye, I may have overlooked a few rose-ringed parakeets. However, all the birds whose wings I could clearly observe showed the characteristic red shoulder patch. This made it clear that they were Alexandrine parakeets.

Those familiar with the species can probably identify the type of parakeet from head and body shape alone. In my case, however, I usually waited until I could see the red patch on the wing before I felt certain.

It was the same with this approaching bird. At first, its species could not be clearly determined. But once it turned and revealed the upper side of its wing, my suspicion was confirmed: it was another Alexandrine parakeet.

Gradually, more and more good photographic opportunities presented themselves. I had not experienced this with the rose-ringed parakeets along the Rhine promenade. There, the Alexandrine parakeets had also been much more difficult to photograph.

Occasionally, however, my attention was drawn to other birds. At times, a Eurasian blackbird would hop into view, and at others a treecreeper would catch my eye as it skillfully made its way up a tree trunk.

Nevertheless, my main focus remained on the Alexandrine parakeets. The number of photographic opportunities steadily increased, which I naturally welcomed. On one occasion, two passers-by even pointed out that there was quite a bit of activity in a tree near the entrance.

Indeed, I first observed a single Alexandrine parakeet there. Shortly afterwards, a second one flew in.

Most of the Alexandrine parakeets I observed in Cologne’s Stadtgarten had their nesting cavities in old plane trees. These trees offer numerous hollows and crevices that are suitable as nesting sites. In addition, the smooth bark of many plane trees, which develops a characteristic mosaic-like surface through its peeling pattern with alternating rough and smooth patches, makes it more difficult for many potential predators to climb.

Since plane trees are not native to Central Europe, they are used less intensively by some native animal species than other tree types. For Alexandrine parakeets, however, they seem to provide ideal nesting sites.

Incidentally, Alexandrine parakeets are not able to create their own nesting cavities. Unlike woodpeckers, they cannot chisel holes into wood. Instead, they rely on existing tree cavities, often former woodpecker holes, or occupy natural crevices and hollows in old tree trunks.

As already mentioned, the parrots living in Cologne are not universally popular. A common concern is that rose-ringed and Alexandrine parakeets could compete with native bird species for nesting cavities. However, according to the current state of research I have reviewed, this has not yet been clearly demonstrated. The NABU Köln has also commented on the issue and pointed to the complexity of the situation.

In fact, the topic is much more nuanced than it may appear at first glance. Some other bird species, such as the stock dove, may even benefit from the presence of the parakeets. The parrots often enlarge existing tree cavities, which can subsequently make them accessible to larger bird species.

The question of whether parrots in Cologne compete with other bird species for food is also frequently discussed. The NABU Köln points out that the parakeets mainly feed on plant material from horse chestnut, hornbeam, and the London plane tree. In winter in particular, they rely heavily on hornbeam and plane trees as food sources.

This means that even during the colder months, the birds are not dependent on additional feeding by humans. It is also interesting to note that the London plane tree is the most common tree species in Cologne’s city centre. In the Stadtgarten as well, I was able to observe Alexandrine parakeets repeatedly in plane trees and other tree species, suggesting that they find suitable living conditions there and that the park serves as a fitting habitat for them.

So far, it has also not been confirmed that these birds transmit diseases to other bird species or to humans. According to the NABU Köln, the birds’ blood has been tested several times without any relevant evidence being found.

During my observations in the Stadtgarten, I also noticed that some Alexandrine parakeets had no feathers on the right side of their head. One of the birds even showed a noticeable reddish skin change in the facial area.

In summary, I can say that the walk through the Stadtgarten was definitely worthwhile in terms of observing Alexandrine parakeets. Although I probably did not see any rose-ringed parakeets, I still had the opportunity to gain a good impression of the parrots in Cologne.

Originally, I had planned to go back to the Rhine promenade in the evening, but I then changed my mind and instead visited the Melaten Cemetery. I only visited the Rhine promenade afterwards for a very short walk to check the trees and the parrots. Before going into more detail about the Melaten Cemetery, I will first share a few final photographic impressions of the Alexandrine parakeets from Cologne’s Stadtgarten.

Alexandrine parakeets in Melaten Cemetery

An unusual place to observe parrots in Cologne is a cemetery—specifically the Melaten Cemetery, just about a thirty-minute walk from the Stadtgarten. I became aware of this place while researching where parrots in Cologne can be observed. Therefore, I set off one late afternoon to visit the Melaten Cemetery.

For that hot Sunday, I could hardly have chosen a better place. The streets were full of people—no surprise, as it was one of the first truly summery days of the year. Among the old trees of the cemetery, I not only found pleasant shade and some relief from the heat, but also the peace and quiet I was looking for at that moment.

I was greeted by a European robin that seemed to almost follow me during my time at the Melaten Cemetery. Meanwhile, a Eurasian blackbird hopped from gravestone to gravestone, pausing frequently and occasionally seeking out elevated vantage points.

A little further along the path, I unexpectedly spotted a Egyptian goose. I had not expected to see it in a cemetery—in my imagination, Egyptian geese belong more to lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water. Here I must mention that the Egyptian goose is suspected of having an impact on native birdlife and of displacing indigenous species. Egyptian geese are originally from Africa. Do I therefore see them so often in Cologne? Nevertheless, I will come back later to the many other bird species I encountered in Cologne. My actual goal, after all, was the parakeets.

Again and again, their typical, piercing calls cut through the treetops. Each time, I tried to pinpoint the direction and follow the sounds. After a while, my patience was rewarded: an Alexandrine parakeet peeked out of a tree cavity. For a moment, it looked as if it had been sitting there waiting for me.

Once again, Alexandrine parakeets. I was pleased about every single sighting. Still, I wondered where the rose-ringed parakeets were. After all, there are supposed to be significantly more of them in Cologne.

So I stayed for a while longer and listened. Perhaps something else would show itself after all. Indeed, shortly afterwards I spotted another Alexandrine parakeet high up in the branches of a tree. A little later, a second one joined it. Both appeared relaxed and seemed to be attentively watching the activity below them.

From a crevice in the trunk, yet another parakeet eventually peered out. Seeing it perched there made me smile again. There is something about these birds that feels both elegant and slightly comical at the same time. Perhaps it is their curious gaze, or the matter-of-fact way in which they live right in the middle of a German city. In any case, I enjoyed every single encounter.

The idea that parrots are now part of Germany’s urban wildlife is still somewhat unusual. So far, larger populations are mainly concentrated in climatically favoured regions along the Rhine. The Rhine valley is one of the warmest areas in Germany and offers comparatively favourable conditions for the birds.

An interesting question is what role climate change might play in this development. Rising average temperatures and milder winters could make it easier for rose-ringed and Alexandrine parakeets to survive beyond their current distribution range. At the same time, their success does not depend on climate alone, but also on the availability of food, suitable nesting sites, and interactions with other species. Whether the parrots will continue to expand into further parts of Germany remains to be seen. In Cologne, at least, they already seem to have firmly established themselves.

Nevertheless, I was also approached by two passers-by at the Melaten Cemetery. Apparently, my camera and my constant gaze into the treetops made me stand out quite a bit. Anyone who repeatedly stops and carefully scans the branches above is bound to attract curiosity.

Speaking of trees: even at the Melaten Cemetery, London plane trees seemed to be particularly popular among Alexandrine parakeets. At least, this was where I made my best observations. The birds are certainly present in other parts of the cemetery as well—I could hear their calls coming from different directions again and again. However, I encountered most of the Alexandrine parakeets in an area where several massive plane trees stood close together. Between their expansive crowns and old trunks, the birds apparently found ideal conditions for roosting and breeding.

An Alexandrine parakeet seemed to be watching me once again. It sat calmly on its elevated perch, looking down at the activity below.

At this part of the cemetery, traffic noise was also clearly audible. While there are areas within the Melaten Cemetery where the sound of the city almost completely fades away, in other sections the constant hum of nearby roads carries through without interruption. It was precisely in such a location that the Alexandrine parakeets were present.

Whether they actually prefer the noise is difficult to say. What stood out, however, was that they did not seem to be disturbed by it at all. While I personally found the quieter parts of the cemetery much more pleasant, the parakeets appeared to completely ignore the traffic noise—as if it had long since become a familiar part of their environment.

Another parrot, by contrast, was noticeably more reserved. It was curious enough to cautiously peek out of its tree cavity, but it clearly did not want to come any further. Perhaps it assumed I would not notice it among the bark and shadows. In fact, it was only a brief glance from the darkness of its hiding place that gave it away.

Eventually, I decided to move on. Perhaps the rose-ringed parakeets would still show up after all. But that afternoon, the search remained unsuccessful. Instead, I sat down on a bench and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the cemetery for a while. In that respect, I probably differ quite a bit from the parrots in Cologne, which seem to prefer lively and often rather noisy places.

Nevertheless, Cologne is a great place to look for parrots. I visited in May, when the trees were already in full, lush green. For observing the parakeets, that is not necessarily the easiest time of year. With their green plumage, they blend almost seamlessly into the treetops and are often difficult to spot among the leaves.

Experienced birdwatchers therefore often recommend winter. When the trees are bare, rose-ringed and Alexandrine parakeets are much easier to detect. At that time, they not only reveal themselves through their loud calls, but are also far easier to spot with the naked eye. Perhaps that is a good reason for another visit to Cologne—this time in the cold season.

More birds in Cologne

Cologne has more to offer than just Alexandrine and rose-ringed parakeets. For me, the encounter with house sparrows in the city centre was particularly interesting. I had assumed that there were hardly any left in Cologne. But still, numbers of house sparrows are in decline. Unfortunately, I did not manage to photograph them.

Pigeons are also well represented along the Rhine promenade. There, they apparently keep finding the occasional treat left behind by the many passers-by. While they are certainly not everyone’s favourite birds, they do not pass up the breadcrumbs.

Incidentally, there is another place in Cologne (Rheinpark) where parrots can be observed. However, I did not see any there myself—only heard a few calls coming from a tree. Since there were already several park visitors nearby, I did not stay for long.

So I moved on. I did not find any more parrots, but I did come across fieldfares. How lovely—at my home location, I rarely see these birds, so this was a particularly special observation.

In the immediate vicinity of the fieldfares, a European goldfinch appeared for a brief moment.

Egyptian geese also appear to be quite numerous in Cologne. I encountered them regularly both along the Rhine promenade and at the Melaten Cemetery. There, one Egyptian goose was sitting comfortably in a tree—a behaviour I had not previously associated with them.

Eurasian blackbirds were also frequently seen, both in the Stadtgarten and at the Melaten Cemetery.

In the Stadtgarten, I spotted a treecreeper making its way swiftly up the trunk of a tree. Unfortunately, these small climbers are difficult to photograph—just as you get them in view, they already disappear to the other side of the trunk or dart further upwards.

At the Melaten Cemetery, I almost had the impression that a European robin was following me. Wherever I went, it seemed to reappear—almost as if it were actively trailing me.

In the city centre, I spotted a carrion raven making its presence known with loud calls.

Otherwise, I could also hear common chaffinches in Cologne. Among the birds I saw were magpies, Eurasian coots, mute swans, greylag geese, cormorants, Canada geese, mallards, common swifts, and gulls. Especially in a large city like Cologne, an unexpectedly rich diversity of birdlife can be observed.

More information

Do you know the parrots in Cologne? If so, where have you observed them there? Or have you perhaps seen them elsewhere in the Rhine region? Feel free to share your observations in the comments!