If you live in the north-east of the USA you are probably thrilled to see spring! Why not take advantage of the pleasant weather to hone your birding skills and have a look at the local warblers? If you are headed to New York, it’s only a 25,000 mile round-trip award on American, United or US Airways. This video was filmed in Firehouse Woods, Monroe County, New York. There is a full list here.
Quaker Parrots building a nest in the Pantanal, Brazil
Quaker Parrot, (Myiopsitta monachus) aka Monk Parakeets are native to the Pantanal in Brazil and northern Argentina.
Quaker Parrot Habitat
Self-sustaining feral populations have been recorded in several US states and various countries of Europe (namely Spain, Gibraltar, Italy, Great Britain and Belgium), as well as in Brazil, Israel, Bermuda, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico and Japan. As it is an open woodlands species, it adapts readily to urban areas.
In areas where they have been introduced, some fear that they will harm crops and native species. Evidence of harm caused by feral colonies is disputed, and many people oppose killing this charismatic bird. However, there have been local bans and eradication programs in some areas of the USA. Outside the USA, introduced populations do not appear to raise similar controversy, presumably because of smaller numbers of birds, or because their settlement in urban areas does not pose a threat to agricultural production. The UK appears to have changed its view on its feral populations and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to remove Monk Parakeets from the wild,[12] as it believes that they threaten local wildlife and crops.
The easiest place to see them in their native habitat is the Pantanal, Brazil. It is also pretty easy to find them in the USA, especially Brooklyn, Edgewater and several cities in Florida.
They build some pretty amazing communal nests, here are some photos of them I took in the Pantanal, Brooklyn and Edgewater.
Although this is a pet Quaker, you can see the construction technique up close.
A few I took in the Pantanal and USA.
Eco-tourism in New York? Even an eco-lite mini trip? You may be surprised that a colony of immigrant Quaker Parrots (originally from Brazil and Argentina) are thriving in Brooklyn, New York! So whether you live in New York or are just passing through and have some time to spare, why not connect with these intelligent, playful little parrots?
New York has 3 major airports and you can get there on any major airline alliance. Going on the basis that anyone who is interested in this excursion is already in New York, I am going to concentrate on how to get there on public transport. If you can be there on the first Saturday of a month, you can join the Wild Brooklyn Parrot Safari run by Brooklyn Parrots. Otherwise, you can just get to Brooklyn College.
Brooklyn College is easy to get to via public transportation. From Manhattan, take the Number 2 (7th Avenue IRT) southbound express to the end of the line. Walk one block Southwest on Hillel Street past Starbucks, and look for the main Brooklyn College gate.
The tour begins at the entrance at 11:00 AM sharp. Please give yourself extra time because the MTA is doing construction on their lines during weekends. Driving instructions are at Brooklyn College’s main Web site. Parking is easy to come by in the neighborhood. NOTE: the entrance to Brooklyn College has relocated due to construction. The new temporary entrance is a few steps to the north along Campus Road – we’ll meet there.
Free!!!
If you are doing the tour, it probably lasts a couple of hours. This is a good amount of time to spend even if you go on your own. The parrots can be easily spotted in the lights around the football field. According to Brooklyn Parrots, you need photo ID to enter the campus.
There is some controversy with the parrots’ presence in Brooklyn. They are not native to the area, they are immigrants and not by their choice. Brooklyn Parrots and History detectives suggests they have been there since the early 60’s. Even Oprah (or at least one of her bloggers) has taken an interest in them! The value to conservation here isn’t the traditional financial support by purchasing a ticket or reading scientific descriptions in a well-laid out zoo. The value is in taking the opportunity to see a species of bird that you normally would have to travel 1000’s of miles to see, observing their behaviour, watching them nesting and just appreciating them for the wonderful little creatures they are! There are occasional campaigns to kill them usually by power companies so once you learn to appreciate them, you will be more likely to defend them when they are in danger. Some power companies have stopped killing them. They aren’t hurting anyone and have earned their right to live!
There is no shortage of hotels in New York and virtually all chain hotels have many properties although not necessarily in Brooklyn. I did a search on Hotels.com to find locations that are less than 5 miles from Brooklyn College, even though I know full well that most people visiting New York will be staying in Manhattan. Honestly, that’s what I would be doing as it’s easy to commute to Brooklyn by subway. Just in case someone might be going for an event at Brooklyn College, here’s a few I found.
BEST WESTERN
5 Properties in Brooklyn ranging from 32000-36000.
CHOICE
Comfort Inn, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal – 25000 points.
Union Hotel – 25000 points.
IHG
HIX Brooklyn – 25000 points
HIX Brooklyn Downtown – 20000 points.
Indigo Brooklyn – 40000 points.
MARRIOTT
Fairfield Inn & Suites Brooklyn – 40000 points.
I took these photos back in 2007 when I was there with a P&S. It shows how they build nests in the lights of the football field. There are MUCH better photos on Brooklyn Parrots blog.
