Instead of sparrows, there are parrots: exotic doves in Chernivtsi are preparing for their second winter in the park (photos, videos).

A pair of Kramer’s parrots settled in Zhytniy Park in Chernivtsi last year. Before this winter, their family grew as the young chicks matured.

There’s no need to worry about their food supply — they quickly figured out where the park's feeders are, and an increasing number of people come to observe the colorful "doves."

Where Kramer’s parrots live in the wild

Kramer’s parrot is a species that naturally inhabits South Asia and certain regions of Africa. This bird prefers tropical lowland areas, humid forests, savannas, and landscapes with thorny bushes. In some European countries with mild climates, the birds escape from cages and form considerable flocks. The largest concentrations have been recorded in London and Brussels. In Ukraine, these birds can be found in Chernivtsi, Lviv, Kyiv, and Pyriatyn. All of them are escapees.

How parrots are faring in Ukraine

These birds can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees, so most Ukrainian winters pose no threat to them. Typically, these parrots eat fruits, grains, nuts, berries, buds, and green plant parts. Despite their vegetarian diet, in Ukraine they enjoy eating lard and boiled meat scraps left for other birds.

Parrots threaten Ukrainian birds

Ornithologists advise against excessive enthusiasm for parrots in Ukraine, as they compete with native birds for food and nesting sites. In our country, they pose a threat to blue tits, starlings, woodpeckers, and other cavity-nesting birds. Chernivtsi resident Tatyana Gavrilova managed to photograph a fight between a parrot and a woodpecker. Kramer’s parrots are not small birds, and weaker species cannot stand up to them.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported that scientists found a predator addicted to flower nectar. Abyssinian wolves may aid in pollination with their love for sweets.