They were almost hunted to extinction by the Krays during the sixties, partly beautiful plumage of the Pearly Kings and Queens.
A captive breeding program is underway in a site of special scientific interest in the east end of London code named E20. This has been successful, and several cockneys such a Mickey Flanagan have been successfully released back into the wild.
Part of the problem is the lack of female cockneys, many are past breeding age such a Barbara Winsor.
There have be many reports of so called “Beasts of Bow Bells” John Terry. He is believed to have ‘gone feral, is breeding indiscriminately, and diluting the gene pool.