Mick’s Picture from Riverbank State Park (Riverside Drive)

Great shot, thanks!

Reports from Ft Lee and Upper Manhattan

Yesterday Mayra reported:

“Hi -

Just wanted you to know that about two months ago I saw my first parrot  just south of Fort Lee.  I have seen several since then on the same stretch of road. Last week, on two occasions, I saw a beautiful smallish parrot on Riverside Drive in Manhattan, around 96th Street.  Oh, joyous!”

It is quite thrilling when you notice them for the first time, isn’t it? Then, once that happens, like many other things you all of a sudden see them everywhere! It’s almost always likely that with these guys, you’ll hear them way before you see them – then just look up!

PS: I do wonder if the Riverside Dr. bird might be an escapee?…

Chester: Parrots will NOT be banned in CT town (and neither will chickens)

On January 19, George Sommers’ From the Parrot’s Beak reported:

Chester CT. parrots (and chickens) can stay: UPDATE: Last week’s column reported on a Chester CT man’s petition to ban “noisy fowl”, aimed at chickens but including parrots from the town.From Sally Murray, Town Secretary: “The scheduled public hearing of the Chester Planning & Zoning Commission for Monday, February 4, 2013, at Valley Regional High School in Deep River to hear the Petition submitted by John S. and Bonnie B. Bennet to amend the Town of Chester Zoning Regulations Section: Definitions, ‘Livestock’ and Section 40R, Animals, has been CANCELED due to the fact the petitioners have withdrawn their petition.” Thanks to Dr. Amy Hopkins of Connecticut’s The Parrot Club.

Wild Parrots, Hurricane Sandy and Winter

Since many of you have inquired, on December 29th, the New York Post wrote the following:

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s . . . hey, it is a bird, a parrot no less — in January! The Quaker parrots or monk parakeets, as they’re known, haven’t just lived in New York for decades, they survived Hurricane Sandy and are now ready to outlast a sub-zero winter. Read more…

Take Part in the World Parrot Count 2013

Courtesy of CityParrots.org:

Who is planning a “world parrot count” and why?

The “extra-tropical“ department of the parrot researchers group of the International Ornithological Union (IOU) with Roelant Jonker (City Parrots & CML Leiden University) and Michael Braun (Heidelberg University) organize the global parrot count. The main focus of the study are neozoon parrots, meaning parrots which have been introduced by man to locations they are not native to. Read more…

Another State Comes in with a Sighting

Today, Carol from New Jersey reported:

“Hi!
My family and I are lovers of the Quaker parrots. I’m from Leonia, New Jersey and there are a few nests outside Overpeck Park, and on other streets which are close to my home.

I have a suet feeder which the birds flock to. We’ve had 12 or more parrots at a time chowing down suet. Since I’m retired, I have the time to stock the suet feeder with blocks of suet…. this is one of my favorite hobbies…. to keep the Quakers fed.

We’ve noticed that the birds come to the backyard around November and leave pretty much in the spring/summer months. Much to our surprise they reappear at the
feeder around October/November when the weather begins to have a chill in the air. The suet feeder is really not very large, but I shove a good amount of suet in it daily… they don’t seem to mind waiting for a turn to get closer to the suet!

The Quaker….. yes….quite amazing to watch….. and we do have a great “birds eye view” of the Quaker.
I loved reading your great info about the Quaker….. .Hopefully, our Quaker friends are here to stay.
Have a great day.”

Thank you Carol for the wonderful update. It’s really not surprising at all that the parrots appear when they do. It is during the autumn and winter months that our friends are almost totally reliant on back yard feeders. Sounds like they are in great hands at your place!

Parrots Sighted in Harlem!

Today Beverly reported:

“I saw these birds in Harlem, 127th and 129th on Lenox Avenue, NYC, NY.. I thought I heard chirping of more birds too. I googled and discovered: Wild Parrots ARE in NYC and now in Harlem. The next morning I was awakened by a whole flock of loud chirping of these birds!

Who Knew?? Glad I know now!”

Parrots in Point Lookout?

Today Evan reported:

I was driving on the Loop Parkway Sept 3 and spotted 5-6 green parrots flying overhead. Right near the last bridge onto Point Lookout.

I have not heard of any sightings there before – has anyone else?

…and a par-rot in a pear tree!

Debbie sent along these marvelous photos today, taken in Freeport, NY.

Feathered Friends and Macy’s Team Up

Just in from Barry & Gayle Schwartz of Feathered Friends Parrot Adoption Services:

Feathered Friends is pleased to announce that we are participating in the Macy’s Shop for a Cause event, which brings you shopping discounts at Macy’s on Saturday, August 27th, and helps us to raise funds for Feathered Friends Parrot Adoption Services, Inc.

The tickets are only $5.00 and you will receive 25% off all day on regular, sale, and clearance items, including home—even on most brands usually excluded! You will also save 10% on most electrics/electronics, furniture, mattresses, and rugs/floor coverings.

Please contact us via email right away for your savings pass—please send us $5.00 (check, money order, or cash if picking up in person), and we’ll send you the savings pass. If requesting by mail, send to Feathered Friends P.A.S., Inc., PO Box 780344, Maspeth, NY 11378-0344

PLEASE HELP US TO RAISE MUCH-NEEDED FUNDS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH“

And don’t forget to say you saw it on the Wild Parrots of New York Blog. Thanks!