Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

[Mark Bittner]

I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures a.k.a.
red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're curious, you can
explore the book's web site: http://www.wildparrotsbook.com

Mark Bittner

[jmcquown]

Post by Mark Bittner
I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures
a.k.a. red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're
http://www.wildparrotsbook.com
Mark Bittner

Mark, I have to wonder... where did they come from? Are these birds lost by
careless owners who thought they could walk around outside with them, or
'accidentally' set free? (as my mom did with a few parakeets over the
years... set the cage outside, went to fill the seed cups and left the cage
door open). 130 seems quite a sizeable flock of birds so they must be
thriving. Still, the one and only time I was in San Francisco it was COLD.
Doesn't seem conducive to parrots.

Jill

[John Hines]

Post by jmcquown

Post by Mark Bittner
I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures
a.k.a. red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're
http://www.wildparrotsbook.com
Mark Bittner

Mark, I have to wonder... where did they come from? Are these birds lost by
careless owners who thought they could walk around outside with them, or
'accidentally' set free? (as my mom did with a few parakeets over the
years... set the cage outside, went to fill the seed cups and left the cage
door open). 130 seems quite a sizeable flock of birds so they must be
thriving. Still, the one and only time I was in San Francisco it was COLD.
Doesn't seem conducive to parrots.

They are provided with down coats for the winter. <G>

Chicago has two colonys of Quakers living in the wild. (hyde park and
schaumburg)

[jmcquown]

Post by John Hines

Post by jmcquown

Post by Mark Bittner
I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures
a.k.a. red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're
http://www.wildparrotsbook.com
Mark Bittner

Mark, I have to wonder... where did they come from? Are these birds
lost by careless owners who thought they could walk around outside
with them, or 'accidentally' set free? (as my mom did with a few
parakeets over the years... set the cage outside, went to fill the
seed cups and left the cage door open). 130 seems quite a sizeable
flock of birds so they must be thriving. Still, the one and only
time I was in San Francisco it was COLD. Doesn't seem conducive to
parrots.

They are provided with down coats for the winter. <G>

ROFL!! Okay, point taken :)

Post by John Hines
Chicago has two colonys of Quakers living in the wild. (hyde park and
schaumburg)

But where do they come from?! Parrots are not native to the U.S.... do
people just let these wonderful birds go?

Jill

[Marco]

Post by jmcquown
But where do they come from?! Parrots are not native to the U.S.... do
people just let these wonderful birds go?
Jill

Jill, in south florida some were released by people, others scaped,
natural disasters such as hurricanes tore down aviaries anf released some
of these birds... and the rest are babies. :)

I'm still waiting for a grant to spend the next 2 years watching these
little guys in my area. lol... I guess the state is doing away will ALL
australian pines that live on state's land. They consider them, well, a
pest, too invasive. They're chopping them down or poisoning them. Sad...
'cuz the flocks we've seen feed on the fruit/cones of these pines.

[Phillip DUKE]

When you say Australian Pines: what other common name does that tree have?
I'm not aware of any such named tree here in Australia.

[Al Johnston]

Phillip,
Here in Canada we have a pine called Austrian Pine. It's not considered
a problem. BTW, welcome to the land of Oz.
Al Johnston, 43.98° N, 79.32° W, S. Ontario Canada

Post by Phillip DUKE
When you say Australian Pines: what other common name does that tree have?
I'm not aware of any such named tree here in Australia.

[Phillip DUKE]

Thanks. Interesting talk group.

Here in Sydney we have a number of different species of parrots. The most
common are the Rainbow Lorikeets, Sulpher-Crested Cockatoos, Yellow-Tailed
Black Cockatoos and Little Corellas.

They all regularly fly over my place and are very common.

[John Hines]

Post by jmcquown

Post by John Hines

Post by jmcquown

Post by Mark Bittner
I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures
a.k.a. red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're
http://www.wildparrotsbook.com
Mark Bittner

Mark, I have to wonder... where did they come from? Are these birds
lost by careless owners who thought they could walk around outside
with them, or 'accidentally' set free? (as my mom did with a few
parakeets over the years... set the cage outside, went to fill the
seed cups and left the cage door open). 130 seems quite a sizeable
flock of birds so they must be thriving. Still, the one and only
time I was in San Francisco it was COLD. Doesn't seem conducive to
parrots.

They are provided with down coats for the winter. <G>

ROFL!! Okay, point taken :)

Post by John Hines
Chicago has two colonys of Quakers living in the wild. (hyde park and
schaumburg)

But where do they come from?! Parrots are not native to the U.S.... do
people just let these wonderful birds go?

Probably escapes. I don't know the exact story behind it. It could be
an escape at the pet store or distributor level, when a whole flock is
let loose. Or destruction of a breeder or store.

Given the highly social flock nature of the birds, it is likely a bunch
got loose at the same time.

There was a story (NYT?) recently about south florida, and how the
definition of "native" is changing. There is evidence that the
constrictors are reproducing in the wild. (and a picture of huge snake
losing to gator)

But yes, there are a handful of people who will just return non-native
animals to the wild. Remember the snakehead issue last year or so out
east?

[Artist]

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I think it's fabulous to have wild parrot flocks. They're so much more
beautiful than other birds. I wish we had some in southern california.
If it were up to me, I would plant lots of trees that they like to eat
from, and release lots of wild-caught parrots to live here. Wouldn't
it be spectacular to see Hyacinth Macaws flying around Griffith Park
and eating palm nuts. Instead we have pigeons and little birds that I
don't know what they are.


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[John Hines]

Post by Artist
from, and release lots of wild-caught parrots to live here. Wouldn't
it be spectacular to see Hyacinth Macaws flying around Griffith Park
and eating palm nuts.

I hope you still feel the same way when being chased by pigs gone feral.

[jmcquown]

Post by John Hines

Post by Artist
from, and release lots of wild-caught parrots to live here. Wouldn't
it be spectacular to see Hyacinth Macaws flying around Griffith Park
and eating palm nuts.

I hope you still feel the same way when being chased by pigs gone feral.

Pork Chops!! ROFL

[Wingnut]

Post by Artist
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I think it's fabulous to have wild parrot flocks. They're so much more
beautiful than other birds. I wish we had some in southern california.

Not sure where you are, but there is a big flock of Amazons that hang around
Garden Grove. I've also heard of some in LA County, abd my husband has seen
small flocks on the golf course in Costa Mesa.

Post by Artist
If it were up to me, I would plant lots of trees that they like to eat
from, and release lots of wild-caught parrots to live here. Wouldn't
it be spectacular to see Hyacinth Macaws flying around Griffith Park
and eating palm nuts. Instead we have pigeons and little birds that I
don't know what they are.
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[John Hines]

Post by jmcquown
But where do they come from?! Parrots are not native to the U.S.... do
people just let these wonderful birds go?

http://www.holisticbirds.com/Hbn02/spring02/pages/quaker1.htm

From that article, mass escapes from air handling facilities. Very good
info on wild populations.

[Mark Bittner]

They're wild-caught birds (the founding members had quarantine bands) that
either escaped or were deliberately released by frustrated owners.
Temperature is not an issue. They can take the cold. There's a wild flock in
Chicago. As long as there's enough food available, they'll make it.

Mark Bittner

Post by jmcquown

Post by Mark Bittner
I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures
a.k.a. red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're
http://www.wildparrotsbook.com
Mark Bittner

Mark, I have to wonder... where did they come from? Are these birds lost by
careless owners who thought they could walk around outside with them, or
'accidentally' set free? (as my mom did with a few parakeets over the
years... set the cage outside, went to fill the seed cups and left the cage
door open). 130 seems quite a sizeable flock of birds so they must be
thriving. Still, the one and only time I was in San Francisco it was COLD.
Doesn't seem conducive to parrots.
Jill

[Mark Bittner]

They're wild-caught birds (the founding members had quarantine bands) that
either escaped or were deliberately released by frustrated owners.
Temperature is not an issue. They can take the cold. There's a wild flock in
Chicago. As long as there's enough food available, they'll make it.

Mark Bittner

Post by jmcquown

Post by Mark Bittner
I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures
a.k.a. red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're
http://www.wildparrotsbook.com
Mark Bittner

Mark, I have to wonder... where did they come from? Are these birds lost by
careless owners who thought they could walk around outside with them, or
'accidentally' set free? (as my mom did with a few parakeets over the
years... set the cage outside, went to fill the seed cups and left the cage
door open). 130 seems quite a sizeable flock of birds so they must be
thriving. Still, the one and only time I was in San Francisco it was COLD.
Doesn't seem conducive to parrots.
Jill

[jmcquown]

Post by Mark Bittner
They're wild-caught birds (the founding members had quarantine bands)
that either escaped or were deliberately released by frustrated
owners.

I cannot imagine being that frustrated. What gorgeous birds they are!

Temperature is not an issue. They can take the cold.

Good... I can't :) I thrive in the humidity in the Southern U.S. And to
think I get excited over seeing Carolina Wrens and hummingbirds around my
patio. Heheh.

Thanks, Mark.

Jill

Post by Mark Bittner
On 3/3/04 12:26 AM, in article

Post by jmcquown

Post by Mark Bittner
I have a new book out about the wild parrots (cherry-headed conures
a.k.a. red-masked parakeets) here in San Francisco. If you're
http://www.wildparrotsbook.com
Mark Bittner

Mark, I have to wonder... where did they come from? Are these birds
lost by careless owners who thought they could walk around outside
with them, or 'accidentally' set free? (as my mom did with a few
parakeets over the years... set the cage outside, went to fill the
seed cups and left the cage door open). 130 seems quite a sizeable
flock of birds so they must be thriving. Still, the one and only
time I was in San Francisco it was COLD. Doesn't seem conducive to
parrots.
Jill