One Strange Bird!

He is adorable! How can you resist him, I would be luring him closer with food - fruit or seeds. He would still have his freedom but also have a supplement to his diet. Long may he stick around. Hopefully he/she will find a mate.
Love the idea of the lizards too.

Isn't that great? Thanks for introducing us to your new friend, Paul!

Thats a lovely story Paul it will be interesting to hear if he stays with you or goes his way on another adventure , I must admit I always feel the urge to open a cage to release captive birds it seems such a cruel thing to do they should fly free ,your bird had a lucky escape ,thanks for the birdy kiss :o))

LOL this was such a unique experience. I thought it must be an omen, but that's silly. I hope he does come back but he seemed to love his freedom so much.

Thanks Sheila it must be in their nature to be so friendly. My research showed that they are real charmers and this one lived up to that.

Really lovely blog Bathgate, very interesting too. Amazing how friendly it was, getting so close up to you too!
Did the little fellow take some food from you? I can’t recall from earlier blog/pics.

Thanks Katie. No I wasn't prepared to give it anything. What do parrots eat? They are naturalized and there is plenty of food growing around for him to eat: berries, nuts, seeds, fresh water, all kinds of bugs, worms, etc. I wasn't sure what to feed him and I was a little worried about getting bitten. I just opened the front door and there he was. I hope he comes back. I usually have the feeder full all winter.

It's nice that he came back!
Quite shocking news reports recently about how much the N. American bird population has dropped in the last fifty years?

Yes and not just the US, the whole world.

That's amazing and funny 👍😀

That’s true, especially in Autumn/Fall, I guess there is a lot around for all the birds. I’ve only a peanut feeder and sunflower hearts feeder hanging up. Saying that, the bund behind is flourishing with autumnal fruits. Oh, and my distressed holly is bouncing back...lots of red berries and looking healthy at last.

Great pics Bg, what a beauty:-) Are all the feral parrots ringed? Here in UK we have naturalised ring-necked (I think) parakeets, apparently since the '90s. They've even been spotted as far north as Glasgow, Scotland! They are here in the Midlands now too, though mainly in the south east, London etc. Obviously chicks from escapees. Got to be global warming:-(

I've only seen this one parrot up close but I suppose they all are ringed, These lucky birds must have settled into the swamp lands that surround Kennedy airport, which is actually a protected wildlife preserve.

Very intelligent birds parrots lol:-)

very smart indeed. I actually saw him again today with a few of his buddies. They came for a dip in the bird bath, but didn't stay long. He loves his freedom.

How lovely:-)

Made me chuckle! Sounds like you’re getting attached Bathgate! ;)

Well it's such an anomaly. Who gets kissed by a random bird - I do! A parrot in NY? Sitting on my front gate screeching and making a scene like that? Did I watch too many movies? oh well!

Lovely photos Paul. He obviously likes you and trusts you, but if the winter is bad and he's still around he has food and water to survive. Will he migrate Paul?

Perhaps this is a fairy story Paul...…...
Is this parrot a female, under a spell, wanting to be turned into a princess....with a kiss......

LOL thank you Linda. This was so serendipitous. I wondered about that too. Is this a fairy tale...or an Omen? However, it's usually the Raven who proceeds the omen as per Edgar Allen Poe. Is that right? As per my research, a colony of these Quaker Parrots have settled into the surrounding parklands around Kennedy Airport and they've been thriving there for over 30 years. Apparently they are doing just fine on their own. Of course I always have fresh water out for them and plenty of fruit & nut bearing trees. They are noted charmers which is a survival skill they have developed. I guess I should be turning into a prince at some point - - it can't hurt.

Have you seen the video of Snowball the dancing cockatoo? Well worth watching if you like parrots and your parrot sounds like a dancer!

he is for sure. As per my research these Quaker Parrots are notorious charmers. I'm happy for him/her that it found its freedom. I'll check out the 'Snowball' video.

It sure is pretty. I hope they don't displace your indigenous wildlife.

Wonderful blog... I've added to my favourites and to GoYpedia.

Thank You Terratoonie. He is quite a charmer. Maybe that's why they are successful migrators.

He looks a super charmer !

yes, lol! fascinating experience

Have just been re reading your blogs, Bg. The birdie in this one is tame & has obviously escaped from his owner as he is ringed. Is he still around? I also enjoyed a 2nd
look at your bug & butterfly blogs, so interesting. Have seen quite a few butterflies this year on my Buddleia. Last year not a one. Thank you for your kind comment when I lost my friends. I also have a cat to cuddle as well as my faith ( & garden). All help.

Oh yes, he's around I can't mistake is screechy call for anything else. He's not in distress of any kind and seems to enjoy his freedom, very much. He'll stop by to jump in the bird bath then he's off again, busy busy busy. He's actually part of larger flock of Quaker Parrots. They are known charmers.

The story goes, they escaped (or were set free) from a shipment container at JFK which is only a couple miles away. This was back in the early 1970's. They were bound for the pet trade, but were given sanctuary by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Preserve. That explains the bracelets they wear. They had no problem acclimating to the environment here. They have an abundance of food, habitat & feathered companions. Thank you for reading my blogs.