Wild Life in Amsterdam

Parakeets of Amsterdam

You might be very surprised to learn that Amsterdam is home to a colony of Rose-ringed Parakeets, known to be here since the 1980s. The original birds were probably pets that were released or escaped. The population was recently counted and there were 3,700 parakeets in Amsterdam alone, with over 10 000 in all of the Netherlands. The number of parakeets has doubled in four years. Both the males and females of the species have the ability to mimic human speech.

Grey Herons of Amsterdam

Just as surprising as Amsterdam’s Parakeets are the Grey Herons, which can frequently be seen in the Oosterpark. Usually found in the warmer parts of Europe, the Grey Heron has become a very common sight in Amsterdam in recent decades. The herons hunt as they usually would but also eat food discarded by humans, and will pay a visit to Artis zoo, during the feeding times of the penguins and pelicans, as well as hunting for food in gardens.

Dutch Wildlife in the Surrounds of Amsterdam

Some of the other Dutch wildlife you may encounter in the natural areas and parks in and around Amsterdam includes:

• Snoek – a scavenger fish with 700 teeth which eats fish, frogs, small rats and young swimming birds.

• Northern voles (Noordse Woelmuis) is a nocturnal mammal that lives off the shoots of water plants. They grow to between 8,5 and 16,1 centimetre long. They burrow a network of tunnels and make nests of moss and grass shoots.

• Ring Snakes (Ringslang) have a yellow band around their necks and two rows of small, dark patches on his back. They are often found sunning themselves. They eat frogs and small mammals. When they feel threatened, they play dead and can even release the smell of a dead body.

• Noctule Bats (Rosse Vleermuis) are a rust-brown colour and are one of the largest bats in Europe. They live in tree-holes and hunt for bugs, moths and mosquitoes.

• Black tailed Godwits (Grutto) are between 37 to 42 centimetres big. Their Dutch name comes from their call, which sounds like ‘utto, utto, utto’. They catch insects, worms, slugs and small crabs.

• Natterjack toads (Rugstreeppad) grow to about 5 cms and a yellow stripe run across their backs. Their eyes are yellow-green and to survive harsh winters they bury themselves deep in the ground. The mating call of the males can be heard up to a kilometre away.

Keep a look out during your stay in Amsterdam for birds, fish and small animals!