Stewart/Tweets,
I have a flock here in Shoreline that numbers between 5 and 12 depending on the time of year and success of breeding season I suppose. After reviewing close up photos and comparing them to the pictures in Sibley I believe they are the Mitred Parakeet or Aratinga mitrata. Sibley says that there are many other confusingly similar species that he does not list and I have yet to find any images of these but have heard others say that Red-Mitred Parakeets exist so this is another possibility.
Either way they are noisy but funny birds that always bring a smile to my face. I can hear them from over 3 blocks away when they are "talking" or communicating in flight. Currently they are flying from Madrona Tree to Madrona Tree devouring the fermenting berries. I have also seen them lately eating the fruits of our Western Red Cedars as well.
What I find the most interesting about this flock though is that they set up shop in 1 or 2 roosts for weeks. Then they travel the neighborhood and search out who knows what. Then, they just disappear for weeks at a time. Where do they go? Why do they do this? Any thoughts?

Bryan
Shoreline, Wa.
jennandbryan at msn.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Stewart Wechsler
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 5:03 PM
To: Ian Paulsen
Cc: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Mitred Conure/Parakeet id + Seward (seattle) Conure ID

I don't remember if anyone has given a species ID to the flock of Conure
parakeets - genus Aratinga that summers at seward park in Seattle. Does
anyone know what species they are and what their natural range is?

Stewart Wechsler
Ecological Consulting
West Seattle
206 932-7225
ecostewart at quidnunc.net

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and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
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