Tag Archives: San Francisco

Red-masked Parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys)

Posted on by

The Red-masked Parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys) is a medium-sized parrot from Ecuador and Peru. It is popular as a pet and are known in aviculture as the Cherry-headed Conure or the Red-headed Conure.  Many people will be familiar with them from the movie “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill”.

This was the best I could get in Cerro Blanco, only this one little cutie came fairly close.

IMG_1961a

IMG_1958a. Although feral populations are easily seen in parts of California, they are actually natives of southern Ecuador and northern Peru.  The easiest place to see them is Cerro Blanco Reserve just 20 minutes out of Guayaquil.  You could also possibly see them on a day trip from Mindo headed towards the Pacific coast.

Redmaskpkt

LEARN MORE ABOUT RED-MASKED PARAKEETS

Wikipedia

World Parrot Trust

Birdlife

ABC Birds

California Parrot Project

VIDEOS

Although I was extremely grateful I got to see ONE bird fairly close and a flock flying by in the distance, others were lucky enough to get whole flocks close up!

Meanwhile back in California…………….please note that this is an older video and it is no longer allowed to feed the birds.

Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill, San Francisco

Posted on by
Reply

Eco-tourism isn’t always about traveling overseas to exotic locations.  Sometimes it is very close to home, especially if you are lucky enough to live in San Francisco!

THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL tells the true story of a bohemian St. Francis and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild red and green parrots. Former street musician and San Francisco dharma bum Mark Bittner falls in with the flock as he searches for meaning in his life, unaware that the parrots (Cherry-headed Conures) will bring him everything he seeks.

THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL premieres Tuesday, May 29 on Independent Lens, a weekly series airing on PBS. Hosted by Terrence Howard, the acclaimed series showcases powerful and innovative independent films. Presented by ITVS, Independent Lens is broadcast on PBS stations nationwide.