We aquired our Peach-faced Lovebird as an orphan that flew into a tent of Boy Scouts during a fierce thunderstorm on Mt. Lemon above Tucson, AZ in 1970. It was passed around, and when I saw it I knew I had to have it. We named it "Cutie", because that's what its call sounded like, with the accent on the last sylllable - as if asking a question. We let it fly around the house (duplex on Ft. Huachuca). Its friend was a Curve-billed Thrasher outside. They liked to call to each other. I think it (lovebird) was a female, since she liked to build a nest behind books in the bookcase. She made strips from newspaper and inserted them into her blue rump feathers, then flew with this new tail to her hiideaway behind the books.

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Mason Flint" <masonflint at hotmail.com>
> All the Monk Parakeet talk reminded me of my recent trip to Phoenix.
>
>
>
> I was there with my family, visiting my in-laws but managed to sneak in a
> one full day of birding. After seeing a lot of typical Arizona birds as well
> as a Northern Jacana (not an "exotic" but fairly exotic nonetheless) at a
> golf course in Casa Grande I stopped at Gilbert Water Ranch just south/east
> of Phoenix. Among the local birds I saw a nice flock of
> <http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1840&articleid=2330>
> Peach-faced Lovebirds and a Grey Goaway
> <http://www.azfo.org/gallery/grey_go_away_gilbert_2007.html> Bird.. I
> certainly didn't expect either species but got great looks, took notes and
> did online research when I got back to a computer to ID the birds. It turns
> out both have been seen there for some time.. For a few minutes there I
> forgot that I was in suburban Phoenix. I also managed to scare up a
> Tennessee Warbler which was pretty cool.
>
>
>
> The Lovebirds and Goaway Bird made me want to head to the tropics for some
> birding!
>
>
>
> Regarding Monk Parakeets, I remember seeing them in orchards in up-state New
> York back in the 70's. They were considered pests by the farmers.
>
>
>
> Mason Flint
>
> Bellevue, WA
>
>
>


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