Subject: Fw: [Tweeters] parrots still living in parks?
Date: Sep 20 11:32:10 2006
From: Julia Allen, PhD, DVM - DrJNA at att.net



A species fills a "niche" - the particular role or the specific space occupied by a species in its environment.
There is a phrase "nature abhors a vacuum," which means there are no vacant lots, no unfilled niches in nature.
These parrots are not native to Washington. They are an "introduced species" just like the European Starling or Scotch Broom on the plant side.
Some introduced species are considered beneficial (eg agricultural crops), but most in the wild are detrimental to native wildlife and native habitat - where they move in, something else has to move out.
This is why Hawaii is so strict - they are trying to protect their native (and often endangered) species.

While these parrots make for interesting conversation, I personally hope they do die out. I would much rather see native woodpeckers successfully using their holes, than have them driven out by loud obnoxious Conures. (I have raised Conures myself, and I do not want to listen to one outside my window !!!)

Julia N Allen
Magnolia
Seattle WA
DrJNA at att.net

----- Original Message -----
From: dave templeton
To: zingie at aol.com ; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] parrots still living in parks?


i've kept conures (including mitreds, redheads and red fronts, which these probably are) for a number of years. once mated they tend to stay paired up, but some of them are a bit trampier than others and will fool around occasionally or switch mates totally. most of the feral flocks consist of escapes or birds released by folks who find out aratingas are LOUD and rambunctious. the flocks are thus mixed species and hybridize often. it seems as if hybridization suspends some of the social rules against nesting around. if one of a mated pair dies the remaining bird usually repairs unless it is very old. it's a criminal offense to let one go in hawaii, including free flying.

regards,

dave tee
crazydave65atinboxdotcom




-----Original Message-----
From: zingie at aol.com
Sent: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:22:42 EDT
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] parrots still living in parks?


Conures mate for life as do most parrots. I know in California they nest in palm trees but around here I have no idea where they nest. Perhaps snags or old woodpecker holes?
I heard that the flock started out as just one pair so perhaps their numbers will rebound again if that pair is still alive or if any of the young are paired up.

Simone
Seattle, WA
Zingie at aol.com



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


_______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
Tweeters at u.washington.edu
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters