30 years ago the flock of presumed Mitred Conures (there are 2 other Conure
((Aratinga)) species that look very similar) had about 20 or 30 birds. We
now seem to be down to 3. It looks like the flock will be gone soon. On a
personal level I will be sad to see them go, but as an ecologist, I know
that if they were more successful they would likely eventually start
displacing existing native plant and/or animal species.

-Stewart

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

-Advice on the most site-appropriate native plants
and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
of plants and animals
-Educational programs, nature walks and field trips
-Botanical Surveys


-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Wuenschel

I was birding with a friend at Seward Park on the
morning of Sat, Mar 15, and was very surprised to
encounter 3 parrots.... Apparently
they are Mitred Conures (Mitred Parakeets), who are
regular visitors to the park according to
http://www.sewardpark.org/sewardpark/birds.html.

I haven't seen them at Seward before and had no idea
Seattle had its own population of feral parrots until
now.

Andrea

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