Since it has a band on its leg, it could be an escapee.

It's a Monk Parakeet or Quaker Parrot I think. It seems tame to let you get so close so must've come from a home nearby? Green parakeets have established small wild colonies in Southern England, they're hardier than you'd think, but I'd be surprised if that one could survive one of your winters

She came to me all on her own volition. I came outside to see what was screeching outside my door. Maybe she wanted a treat, but what would I give her? A carrot? celery? I've seen flocks flying around but never got this close. Apparently they can and do survive the winter - like those lizards under my patio.

Beak looks like it needs help so cuttlefish bones from the pet shop to clean, shape & get calcium. Then just a broad vegan diet. Nuts, grapes, leaves, broccoli, etc.

It stayed with me for about 20 minutes. It wanted me to hold it. I could have picked it up. Why me? Then it just flew off into the blue abyss. Is this an omen?

Aw...what a lovely visitor!

If you had picked it up, you could have read the number on its leg band & possibly got it back to its owner. Someone,somewhere is probably worrying about it & maybe advertising for its return. The number is in a record somewhere ( vets will know the address). Perhaps it will come back to you.

If it returns, I will check it's tab. I was worried about being bitten. I've seen flocks of them flying around here. It seemed quite adapted to the the outdoors.

It’s a wild Monk aka Quaker parrot. The rumor (might be an urban legend) is that they were in a shipment at Kennedy Airport destined to be sold at pet stores. The container broke open and off they went. The colonies do very well in Brooklyn and Queens- I lived for a while in Elmhurst but never saw one. They are considered a pest in South America and live from 20 to 30 years. Also, they are considered to be excellent talkers.

Thanks Loosestrife. Your 'urban legend' may not be so far fetched. JFK is a short drive from my house (without traffic) and it's surrounded by swamps & marshlands - an ideal habitat I would think, except for the cold weather. The way she looked at me in the eyes and cocked her head to the side as I spoke to her like she understood. I've never seen so many anomalies in one place.

If you go back that far, more often or not I was one of those fishing on the Cross Bay Blvd bridge at Howard Beach for strippers and bluefish. Unfortunately, it is now off limits.

I remember going fishing there with my dad and 3 brothers off of Howard Beach Bridge and I was lucky if the seagulls didn't steal my fish before I could reel it up - the bridge was so high. But my dad knew exactly what to do - Rockaway Playland, then Nathan's Hotdogs with everything, both were just a little further down on Crossbay Blvd towards the beach. Remember that? The Playland was leveled for expensive waterfront condominiums. I don't know what happened to Nathan's. My grandparents lived in Ozone Park, off of Atlantic Avenue & Woodhaven Blvd, so I spent a lot of time there growing up.

It was Curtis Sliwa who coined the term ...Nathan’s “dirty water” Hotdogs. That was what gave them their flavor:)

OK I wondered why they were so good and I could never duplicate the flavor at home.

Back to the parrot - there is now a flock of them in London too- Bamboo sees them from her balcony sometimes.

There you are Steragram - I thought maybe you got blocked out again. Not only was seeing him a strange sight, but why so bold? and who gets kissed by a strange bird?

Loosestrife2 - I would often listen to Curtis Sliwa on WOR in the morning. Nathan's Hotdogs was established in Coney Island by Polish Immigrants in 1916. Hotdogs were just a nickel. Now it's world famous. I think the one Crossbay Blvd is still there.

Sue - I knew you were having trouble with the site again. I don't know how, but I did.