Toni,

There has been a small flock of parakeets that may move seasonally between
the Maple Leaf neighborhood and at or near Seward Park. A family group
visited Dennis Paulson's feeders one summer about five years ago were
identified as Crimson-fronted Parakeets (Aratinga finschi), a Central
American species. This species is closely related to the Green Parakeet
super-species complex (Aratinga holochlora and Aratinga strenua) of Mexico
and northern Central America. A flock of six were reported last year on the
Seattle Christmas Count from the Maple Leaf area and I saw perhaps the same
six at Seward Park later last winter.

The Seattle birds have also been identified as Mitred Conures (Aratinga
mitrata), a South American species, which is what one might conclude on the
basis of the species illustrated in the 3rd edition of the National
Geographic Bird guide. All these species are largely green, the size and
shape of a Mourning Dove, with a bare white patch around the eye and
ivory-colored bills, with variable scraps of red (which may be absent in
immatures or females) about the head. There may well be other species
sufficiently similar to these to be easily mistaken for them (e.g.,
White-eyed Parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalmus, widespread in South America).
I have been assuming the Seattle birds are Crimson-fronted Parakeets on the
strength of Dennis's close-up id of a family group, evidence of successful
nesting. However, there could well be other species involved.

I saw three parakeets at Seward Park some years back that included two
Green/Crimson-fronted-type Parakeets with one Rose-ringed Parakeet
(Psittacula krameri, a species of south and southwest Asia). I subsequently
observed the two Green/Crismson-fronted Parakeets entering a cavity in a
large Doug Fir snag at Seward Park. They might have nested. I called them
Green Parakeets at the time as I could see no red on them, but I didn't have
point-blank eye-level looks. There have also been Monk Parakeets (Myopsitta
monachus, of southern South America) in and about town from time to time.
One hung out near the West Point lighthouse in Discovery Park for several
weeks. A flock in the Kent/Auburn area in the early 90s was traced to a pet
store that went out of business and released their stock. I have also seen
free-flying Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus, Australian) in Kent. The
strangest was perhaps the Yellow-headed Parrot (Amazona oratrix, Mexican) in
an apple orchard in Mabton, Washington on a bitter cold (10 F) Thanksgiving
day (1976). Apparently, the parrots can withstand the cold if they have
enough to eat.

Gene Hunn.

At 12:33 PM 11/20/99 -0800, you wrote:
>I heard yesterday from an acquaintance that somebody up around Northgate in
>Seattle insists there are migrating "parrots" passing their location every
>year. A length of about fifteen inches was the approximate size indicated
>(you know, like fishermen show you "the one that got away"). Has a fellow
>Tweeter any corroboration of this phenomenon or a suggestion for what
>species these "parrots" are being mistaken ?
>
>Toni Hawryluk
>Seattle
>tonihawr at email.msn.com
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