Parakeets: Flock of birds make bare winter trees look as if they have leaves
Stunning images show hundreds of parakeets transforming trees into a living canopy.
The spectacular pictures capture the bright green parrots forming a pandemonium, becoming leaves which sing instead of sway.
The dazzling birds were spotted outside the Heineken factory on Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester.
The ring-necked parakeet is the UK's only wild parrot, according to The Wildlife Trusts. Urban legends suggest their origin links back to the rock and roll musician Jimi Hendrix who released a pair on Carnaby Street, London, in 1968 but this story was later quashed.
Other artists like reggae performer Bob Marley and pop singer George Michael have also been linked to mystery, but this has never been confirmed. A more favourably believed reason by scientists is that pet owners around the country released the birds into the wild, possibly prompted by media coverage of fatal “parrot fever” outbreaks in the 1920s and 30s.
Parakeets are the most northerly breeding parrot in the world. Alongside their green feathers, they also identified by their long, narrow tail and a bright red bill.
The birds are commonly found in the southeast of England but have previously been seen as far north as Scotland.