Anyone who in recent years has spent any amount of time in San Diego, America’s finest city, has heard the call of its most notorious immigrants, the wild parrots. Parrots are not indigenous to San Diego or to California, though no less than 5 species have established successful populations in San Diego and 13 are established in Southern California as a whole. There are as many myths about how the parrots arrived here as there are parrots and it has become a matter of San Diego urban legend. Left by the remnants of old pirate colonies or just a generational collection of escaped wild pets, however they have come to the beaches of Southern California it is clear that they are healthy and here to stay.
The first parrots to be mentioned as a species here dates back to the 1940’s, but documentation as a viable population has only occurred since the 1960’s and their populations have exploded in the past half century. The 5 species that currently call San Diego home are three species of Conures, the Mitred, red-masked and blue-crowned, as well as two species of Amazons, the red-crowned and lilac-crowned. The Amazona genus of parrot are the new world parrots of Caribbean and pirate myth and possess the distinct ability to mimic speech and are considered to be as smart as a 4 year old child.
Though the species are threatened in their indigenous habitats, they are thriving in their new Southern California home. San Diego and the surrounding region may be the last place we may ever find these beautiful birds. Surviving primarily on ornamental flora introduced in recent years to the region such as pecan trees, Magnolias, loquats, eucalyptus and palm, they, in a feet of amazement, compete very little with established, indigenous bird species. Instead carving out a new niche in their ever growing range. As dawn creeps in or dusk begins to overcome the horizon they can be found perched on palm trees or power lines above, having what sounds like a most uproarious conversation. They can be very loud and though occasionally obnoxious, they have not only planted themselves in the ecosystem of the city, but also in the hearts of her inhabitants.
The parrots have become interwoven into the culture of San Diego, they may not be indigenous, but they seem to have settled in very nicely into their new home. There is an annual bird festival to honor the beautiful avians and the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association has taken the bird on as an unofficial mascot incorporating their image into their marketing campaigns. The many varieties of Parrots here are are beautiful, unique and highly intelligent. They can live up to 70 years are the only birds to have four talons, two facing forward and two backward, and rely on a bacteria-resistant pigment known as Psittacofulvins to produce their brilliant and bright colors. It’s good to know that if their natural habitats are being threatened the good people of San Diego are willing to welcome them with open arms. So if your ever walking down Newport Avenue in OB, as dusk falls, listen closely and look up to the palms. You may see a pandemonium of parrots for yourself. If you do say hey to the flocks of brilliantly colored birds, if your lucky they might just say hello back.
