Hi Seth, It's nice to know the probable history of those birds in Queens. It is surprising that they are here b/c no other temperate city in the U.S. has them. While you are correct in your discussion of Mitred Parakeet's habitat requirements, I disagree with you're opinion they were not the same flock. You even mention the same number of idividuals I saw. It is very likely they were since there are not many of them in NYC and parrots are known for their long travels in search of food. They will travel even further in this country where they are living since food is harder to find than in their native haunts. Even with microclimates that doesn't mean a parrot can survive and breed. Just look at the Rose-ringed Parakeet. A flock of 50+ lived in my area for many years but never bred and eventually died out in the mid 80's where in many cities around the world they survive. I don't know where you get that there are more than 13 or so birds since nobody has reported that many in a flock. The numbers from your reports always seem to be about the same and if there were more than that you'd think it would be known since they are not exactly quiet birds. People would definately see and hear them. Also, if they were breeding I'm sure it would have been known by now with all the birders around here. If there were that many around they would have to be seen on some Xmas count. I mean Black-hooded Parakeets were seen for a few years in Brooklyn on counts and there were only a few of them. Either way it's easy to tell if young are around, they will have very little if any red on the head. Anyway I hope to see them again someday. It's quite nice that they are surviving but where are they during the breeding season, that's the big question. Parrots don't just disappear.
Andrew Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Naturalist/Wildlife Biologist 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: 914-337-1229; Fax: 914-771-8036 ________________________________ From: Seth Ausubel <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sun, April 3, 2011 4:58:30 PM Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] long belated Mitred Parakeet report This is an interesting report, and I’ll try to address Andrew’s questions. Mitred Parakeets (Aratinga mitrata – known in aviculture as Mitred Conures) are a temperate zone species, naturally ranging from southern Peru and western Bolivia to northern Argentina . The species is typically found at 1000-3500 meters elevation, and has been recorded to 4000 meters. With the variety of warm microhabitats available in any urbanized area, and the relative abundance of foods such as ornamental fruits, it is not too surprising that they can survive our winters. In fact it is winter when many sightings have occurred as the birds wander widely to forage, often on extremely cold days. There is no reason to believe that Andrew’s birds are the same as those currently present in Queens . The origin of the local population of Mitred Parakeets is reliably established between 1979 and 1984. This coincides with the period when large numbers of birds were imported, JFK Airport being a major hub. It appears that both the total number of birds, and the range of areas from which they have been reported, have decreased over time. Historically, most reports have been from southwestern Nassau County . During the 1990s it appears the birds ranged at least as far east as Massapequa ( Nassau ), and as far west as Central Park . Andrew’s is the first report I know of from the Bronx . The most recent reports I know of from southwestern Nassau were in 2009, but there have been many recent reports from Queens . There are only 13-15 birds in the Queens flock. Assuming birds still persist in Nassau , there may be as many as 50 Mitred Parakeets around the NYC metro area. Having said all this, I’ll also say that reporting is quite unreliable and there could well be some birds missed. For example, to this day, Mitred Parakeets have not been recorded on any NY Christmas Bird Count and reports from June through November are virtually unknown. So the biggest question is whether Mitred Parakeets are breeding in the NY area, and if so, where. Those interested can read my article in The Kingbird, September 2009; 59(3). By the way, the cherry trees in Hillcrest, Queens are about to blossom, and the birds should be there within a couple of days! Seth Ausubel Forest Hills, NY ________________________________ From:[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Andrew Block Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2011 11:56 AM To: NYS Birds Subject: [nysbirds-l] long belated Mitred Parakeet report For all you parrot people out there following the saga of the Mitred Parakeets in NYC I was going thru my notes last night and came across a sighting I had on 4/4/96 at the NY Botanical Garden. I had forgotten I had a flock of 13 Mitred Parakeets fly over the Rose Garden heading south towards the zoo. It just occured to me these must be the same flock that is being see sporadically in Queens . I really would love to know how they survive the winters here b/c they are not supposed to be hardy around here. It's one of the many mysteries of NYC I guess. Andrew Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Naturalist/Wildlife Biologist 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: 914-337-1229; Fax: 914-771-8036 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
