There are an estimated 550 exotic wild Monk Parrots living in Queens, according to the best guess by area ornithologists. Back in the 1960s, shipments of the exotic tropical birds from South America through Idlewild Airport (now JFK International Airport) were commonplace, and sometimes the parrots would escape their enclosures. Once escaped, the birds made a home in Queens and other local neighborhoods.
Queens is not the only place the tropical green birds have become firmly entrenched. Fifty years after exotic bird importers began carting them here from their native South America, the parrots have nestled into other neighborhoods in the city and beyond. The best guess on their citywide population is around 550, though biologists say bird counts often capture just a tenth of their true totals. The parrots have set up colonies in at least 10 states, including Florida, Texas, Illinois and Oregon. They dappled European skies, breeding in England and Spain.
Check out the full article in the New York Times for more on the hundreds of Monk Parrots living in NYC.
via New York Times
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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