Photos by Steven
Several local birdwatchers received a tip earlier last week about a monk parakeet in Tompkins Square Park.
The search party found the bird late in the afternoon near the chess tables. It later perched on a light pole at Avenue A and Sixth Street, where this photo was taken.
This isn't believed to be an escaped pet. Monk parakeets have established wild colonies around New York City, including a well-known group living in the Gothic Arch at Green-Wood Cemetery.
Hawk's snack?
ReplyDeletehope they’re safe but comforting to know they do live outside
ReplyDeletecan they survive a cold winter?
The colonies build their multi-bird nests around transformers, so are quite comfortable.
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DeleteGood morning,
I’m looking for my Monk Parakeet/Quaker Parrot (RUCO) who lived on E 11th St btw 1st and 2nd Aves.
My ex-spouse passed away in the apartment we shared for 45 years. He was caring for our 18-year old pet bird, Ruco.
My ex was found after about a week during a wellness check by NYPD who contacted me first to inform me of his passing.
His estimated date of death is August 34.
At the time, I asked the police about the bird, and they said they would get back to me but they never did. Meanwhile, the landlady told me that she had been told by an officer that the bird had also passed, presumably from lack of food and water. (This was never confirmed)
Next of kin was not allowed into the apartment as it was sealed by NYPD and upon finally gaining access on October 3 and making a search, the bird was not found anywhere inside the unit. Also, the window was found open.
It wasn’t until then that I heard about the Monk Parakeet/Quaker Parrot sightings in Tompkins Square (1.5 blocks from the apartment) and began to believe that Ruco might still be alive.
Any info provided will be appreciated.
David
There have been colonies of wild monk parakeets since about the 60s, when a shipment of tropical birds escaped. One of the main colonies is in Brooklyn, near the Brooklyn museum: https://brooklynparrots.com/category/wild-parrots-in-brooklyn/
ReplyDeletepretty little thing
ReplyDeleteThis is good to know! A monk parakeet came up on my Merlin app the other day: At Miracle Garden on third Street between A and B.
ReplyDeleteThere’s big colonies of monk parakeets in Astoria. They like nesting in the train trestles.
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