BREAKING NEWS: WILD QUAKER PARROTS TAKE MANHATTAN!

Stacey Szewczyk is a talented journalist and video blogger who's written widely for news outlets including The New York Times. Her Blog, Hudson River Stories, provides a first-person perspective on life along the Hudson River. Of late, Stacey has been studying the unexpected appearance of a colony of wild Monk Parakeets (AKA Quaker Parrots) in Riverside Park, and I had the pleasure of being interviewed by her on our most recent Wild Parrot Safari. The resultant video segment is embedded here and it presents the first real documentation on this new colony, which represents these wild parrots' best effort at establishing a colony on the island of Manhattan in many years.

Wild Monk Parakeets have, of course, been much in evidence in the outer boroughs, including Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, for many years, and I've written extensively about these colonies on this site. But the Monks have had a much harder time getting a foothold in Manhattan. Various authorities, including the NYC Parks Department and the USDA have chased them out and eradicated their colonies over the years. There have been a spate of recent sitings of Monks in Manhattan, including a nest on 105th and Amsterdam a few years back, plus reports of a pair living in Tompkins Square Park. But this new colony (whose precise location must remain undisclosed due to security concerns) is the largest one discovered yet.

My hope is that this colony will remain safe from the Monks many enemies, which in the past have included predators (both human and non-human). Only time will tell if this new colony will survive, but, at least for the moment, it's time to celebrate the emergence of these intrepid parrots, and issue the call, far and wide, that "The Monks Have Taken Manhattan!"

Again, many thanks to Stacey taking the time to document these wild parrots and creating this beautiful video.

Next Brooklyn Wild Parrot Safari: Saturday, September 11, 2010

What are wild parrots doing in Brooklyn? It's a long story! (photo credit: Stephen Baldwin)

Attention all Urban Parrot fans: the next Wild Brooklyn Parrot Safari will happen on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at 11 AM. All will please gather at Brooklyn College's Hillel Gate, which is at the intersection of Hillel Place and Campus Road. (Note: there will be no inspection of the Green-Wood Cemetery parrots on this safari; I have to run off to do something later on Saturday afternoon. Soon I'll bring back the Green-Wood "second section" of the trip but it's impossible this month).

Please e-mail me if you want to attend. Note: there is no rain date for this trip. I ordinarily do not cancel the tour unless the forecast is for sustained inclement weather in which birds will not fly.

Wild Parrot Safari (Brooklyn College): 11:00 AM to 12:30PM
At 11 AM, we'll inspect the Brooklyn Parrots' "Ellis Island." Their large nests around the soccer field represents the first major colony in Brooklyn. The site is easy to get to via public transportation. Just take the Number 2 train (Seventh Avenue IRT) to the end of the line, walk one block Southwest on Hillel Street past the new Starbucks, and look for the main Brooklyn College date. The tour begins at the entrance at 11:00 AM sharp. Allow some extra time, given that the MTA is doing lots of construction/train re-routing on weekends. Driving instructions are available at Brooklyn College's main Web site. Parking is fairly easy to come by in the neighborhood. If you're late, please call me: I'll give you directions so that you can meet up with us if the tour is already in progress.

What to Bring/What to Wear
Please bring a photo ID (this is required by Brooklyn College Security). Bring binoculars and a camera. We'll be exposed to outdoors so bring a hat/sunscreen if you have sensitive skin. Please feel free to wear anything except bright orange. For reasons that science has not yet explained, Monk Parrots freak out when you show them something orange.

This Tour is Free, But the Parrots Are Hungry!
The Wild Parrot Safari is free - if you wish to help your hungry urban feathered friends, bring some good bird feed and other treats. Finch food or millet are always welcomed by our hungry urban "peeps."

See you in wild, exotic Brooklyn!

Steve Baldwin, Webmaster, BrooklynParrots.com
steve@brooklynparrots.com

Off-Topic: Star Wars in The NYC Subway System

I spent a lot of time in the subway system these days, playing and singing with The Meetles and enjoying performances by some of New York's extraordinary subterranean performers. Here's one performance that I haven't seen yet but is just great: the folks who perform scenes from Star Wars on the subway trains

Off-Topic: Marshall Efron is Jonah

Another charming classic from Marshall Efron's unforgettable mid-1970s CBS show, Marshall Efron's Illustrated, Simplified, and Painless Sunday School.

Off-Topic: Dave Dudly: Six Days on the Road

Years ago, long before I discovered the Wild Parrots of Brooklyn, I worked for Polygram Records, laboring deep within Polygram's sprawling tape vault in Edison, New Jersey. I rejoiced whenever a request came in for a copy of a Dave Dudley song -- usually from Europe, where Dave was regarded as a major country star -- especially "Six Days on the Road," a song which so colorfully sums up the American "white line fever" spirit.

Dave died a few years back, but I will always think of him as one of the towering giants of American country music. It's a shame more people don't know of him today. Here's Dave with a fine band - arguably finer than the one on his million-selling record - recorded from a 1970 TV show. Enjoy!

Off-Topic: Marshall Efron is David & Goliath

Marshall Efron is one of the funniest people on earth, and yet his work is practically invisible on the Web. Here's a classic clip from Marshall's Illustrated, Simplified And Painless Sunday School TV show. Don't even think about trying to get something like this on the air in our timorous times today!

Don't Buy a Parrot - Adopt A Parrot!

Occasionally people call or e-mail me asking me whether I can help them find a Quaker or other parrot to serve as a human companion. Sometimes these requests seem to me a bit whimsical, and which case I discourage them because when you contemplate bringing a parrot into your home you must prepare to make a significant long-term commitment to an emotionally demanding, highly intelligent creature who might even outlive you. On the other hand, such requests are often serious, for example the attempt to find a parrot to cheer up an existing companion who's pining for his or her mate. In either case I try to guide these requestors toward a legitimate bird adoption agency.

There are many legitimate agencies around, including Adopt-A-Pet (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet), which functions as a clearinghouse designed to match birds put out for adoption with prospective human adopters. Using Adopt-A-Pet is easy; just select your pet type, type in your zip code with a travel range, and search. When I searched Adopt-A-Pet today, there were many parrots looking for nice people to care for them.

Another good service is PetFinder.com. Again, just type in the kind of animal you're looking for, your zip code plus travel range, and you should instantly get results. So please use a service of this kind if you're looking for a companion and are prepared to make the commitment.

"Rename The Dust Bowl" Competition Begins!

NY Councilman Vincent Gentile -- the man largely responsible for the complete renovation of the Brooklyn Park formerly known as "The Dust Bowl," is taking submissions for new names that will better describe the new park, because, of course, it is now fully turfed. Naturally, I think that because the park so visibly features some of Brooklyn's fabulous Quaker Parrots, a parrot-themed name is appropriate. So here are some suggestions:

1. Quaker Parrot Field
2. Monk Parakeet Park
3. Avian Stadium
4. Brooklyn Parrot Acres

Got a good name? Go over to Councilman Gentile's Blog and submit it. After August 1st, the top three submissions will be put to a district-wide vote. May the best name win!

New York State Mulls Protecting Wild Quaker Parrots

The last parrot to be indigenous to the Eastern U.S., the Carolina Parakeet, died in captivity almost 100 years ago. Today, through a series of accidents and odd events that no human intended, the East Coast is host to a bird -- the Quaker Parrot -- that's a close cousin to the lost Carolina Parakeet. Wild Quaker Parrots have lived in New York State for more than 40 years now, without any protection at all. Consequently, they've been subject to poaching and occasional persecution. But a new bill introduced in the New York State Legislature hopes to remedy that. Read More.

Brooklyn's Leif Erickson Fields Re-Opens After Parrot-Friendly Redesign

A wild Brooklyn Quaker Parrot takes a break from reconstruction work at Brooklyn's Lief Erickson Fields. Photo by Stephen C. Baldwin.

Today I had the high honor of being  invited to give a short speech on the Wild Parrots of Brooklyn at today's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated athletic facility formerly known as the "dust bowl" at Brooklyn's Leif Erickson Park. I was included because I became involved in this project as a consultant, and this work included a hair-raising but rewarding ride on a cherry-picker last Fall to make sure there were no young parrots in the light fixtures before these fixtures were changed out to the new design.


NYC Council Member Vincent Gentile was instrumental in getting the funding for this park's reconstruction and a key player in making the park Quaker Parrot-friendly. Photo by Stephen C. Baldwin.

It was a pleasure to meet Council Member Vincent Gentile, who both secured funding for the massive upgrade of the park, and also worked closely with parrot conservations groups to make sure that the work did not harm the parrots or destroy their habitat. In my book, he's a real hero. Councilman Gentile is also sponsoring a naming competition to rename the field (formerly known as "The Dust Bowl") to something more appropriate - perhaps Quaker Parrot Park?


NY Parks Commissioner Adrian Benape has always taken a strong interest in New York City's wildlife and was extremely helpful in getting the work done in such a way that the parrots are safe. Photo by Stephen C. Baldwin.

It was also great to hear from NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. He spoke fondly of Brooklyn's wild parrots, and he played a big role in ensuring that his agency worked closely with Landtek, the contractor to make sure that the work was done in an environmentally friendly way. So many people, including Barry Schwartz, of the DDC, and the good folks from Landtek, made this happen and deserve thanks from everybody who appreciates the wild parrots.


One couldn't have imagined a nicer day to do a new Park ribbon-cutting ceremony in Brooklyn. Photo by Stephen C. Baldwin.


Lots of folks turned out from the community, including several ball teams, community groups, the media, and a group of kids. The new ball field includes a state-of-the-art type of synthetic grass designed to stay cool, even in hot weather. This view is toward the Western part of the park: one of the two rebuilt parrot nests is at the extreme left. Photo by Stephen C. Baldwin.


Here you can see one of the light poles whose design was altered to preserve the platform used by the parrots to anchor their colonial nests. The platform from the old lights was relocated down a few feet, which will keep the parrots from attempting to rebuild any nests on the new lights, where such construction could cause electrical or future maintenance problems. The parrots have been in rebuilding mode for some time, and, as you can see, this parrot nest is intact and growing! Photo by Stephen C. Baldwin.


Across the street, two of Bay Ridge's hardy wild Quaker Parrots forage for food. I'm sure they are sending thanks to Councilman Gentile, Commissioner Benepe, and everybody else responsible for protecting them throughout this historic park renovation project. Photo by Stephen C. Baldwin.

Brooklyn's Quakers Are Tough!

During this past Saturday's monthly Wild Parrot Safari in Brooklyn, our group witnessed a moment of high drama. Two Quakers were flying together at a low altitude, and the leading one was hit by a speeding car. The bird that was hit went down to the pavement, and its companion hovered in the air, issuing the strong ACK-ACK-ACK-ACK sound indicative of a major crisis. Within seconds, every bird within ear shot had picked up this distress call - clearly, something very bad had happened in the local parrot community!

Within moments, several members of our group hurried over to help the injured parrot and block traffic. Frankly, I wasn't optimistic about the bird's prospect. Surely this kind of high speed impact would have resulted in a broken wing, internal injuries, or worse. But the Quaker on the street flapped back into the air and landed on a branch of a low tree.

There we had a chance to inspect him at close range: he looked stunned, but no further signs of injury were visible. About a minute later, after collecting himself, he flew off to join his mates again.

I continue to be amazed at how resiliant our wild parrots are. You have to be tough to survive on the streets of this borough!

Wild Brooklyn Parrot Comedy!

Last week, at the Benefit For Stephen Baldwin, I was asked to show a short PowerPoint Presentation illustrating the story of Brooklyn's famed wild parrots. Thanks to Maggie Clarke and Beatle Jane for getting this on tape.

If you'd ever like me to present at your Bird Group, Parrot Enthusiasts Gathering, or Comedy Club, please send me e-mail.

New York City Needs YOU!

A nice person from the Mayor's office asked me to bring the following news to the BrooklynParrots.com readership: the City of New York needs good people, either recent college grads or experienced professionals to devote a year of service to the City. There are hundreds of interesting volunteering opportunities. You can even design your own position and work schedule if you can't afford to volunteer full time. These volunteer positions do pay something; $1,163 per month, which isn't enough to support a lavish NYC lifestyle, but might work for you if you have another source of income. You must apply for these positions online, but the application deadline is June 30, so act now if you're interested. For more info, go to: http://www.nyc.gov/service.

NY Magazine: A Benefit for Stephen Baldwin, But Not That Stephen Baldwin

From left to right, Patrick Borelli, myself, and Jon Benjamin

WOW - last night's event got a nice write up in New York Magazine.

I had a blast last night - the comedy was great and it was such a trip to play with THE MEETLES on an actual stage with a real sound system! Thanks to everybody who showed up - we hope you enjoyed the show - the wild parrots of Brooklyn thank you!

Please Join Me in Brooklyn Tonight!

If you're in Brooklyn tonight - please join me and friends for a benefit for me (I'm the Stephen Baldwin who's not the distinguished actor but the parrot guy, AKA the "other" Stephen Baldwin).

The event is at The Bell House, and all proceeds got to help Brooklyn's wild parrots, and a good time is guaranteed for all. We'll have some great comedians, Eugene Mirman, Jon Glaser, Jenny Slate, Kurt Braunohler, Kristen Schaal, David Rees and THE MEETLES will play as well. Thanks to Patrick Borelli and Jon Benjamin for organizing this surreal and fun event.

You can buy tickets here - showtime is 8:00PM.

BREAKING NEWS: Quaker Parrots Invading Lower East Side!

Can Wild Parrots Survive on Manhattan's Lower East Side? (photo credit: Stephen Baldwin)

Credible reports have surfaced that at least one bold pair of Quaker Parrots is attempting to colonize Manhattan's hallowed Tompkins Square Park, the locus of much countercultural history. I haven't been to this site in awhile (the last time I was there was shortly after the tumultuous riots of the late 1980s) so I can not personally vouch for these reports. All I can say is that Quaker Parrots are tough, streetwise birds and if any form of avian life can thrive in Tompkins Square park, these beasties -- which the article's author characterizes as a "freaky new species" -- are them.

Kindly NJ Bridge Crew Goes Out Of Its Way For Jersey Monk Parakeets!

Amazing, inspiring story from New Jersey about how a kindly bridge crew teamed up with some local wild parrot enthusiasts to make sure that a bridge renovation project in Ridgefield didn't harm a gang of local monk parakeets. A loud shout-out in this story goes to Alison Evans-Fragale, of EdgewaterParrots.com, who's helped these wild creatures so much over the years.

I don't know about you, but reading this story goes a long way toward restoring my faith in humanity.

About BrooklynParrots.com

A free-range Wild Quaker Parrot in Brooklyn

BrooklynParrots.com is a site run by Stephen C. Baldwin, a Brooklyn guy who's taken it upon himself to spread the word about what he calls "one of the great freakish natural wonders of New York:" the wild parrots of Brooklyn.


Stephen Baldw illustrates Monk Parakeet Defensive Aerial Combat Techniques. Photo Credit: Amanda Aronczyk

Stephen runs free public trips to bring the public to see the parrots whenever he can; these trips happen on Saturdays. If you'd like to be part of one of these outings, please send him e-mail.

He's trying to raise the profile of these magnificent, hard-working, formerly persecuted birds. "I'm amazed at how many people living on the island of Manhattan regard these birds as urban legends", Stephen says, "just like the crocodiles once reputed to live in the sewers. But these birds are real, they're thriving and yet they're also endangered. Just across the river, in New Jersey, their classification as a 'dangerous species' makes the periodic confrontations between power companies and these birds very perilous exchanges."

Stephen agrees with those who see the Brooklyn parrots not as an evil "invasive species" but as a welcome replacement for the Carolina Parakeet, hunted to extinction almost a century ago. "Frankly, I think these birds deserve to be proclaimed the National Parrot of the USA", Steve says. "They have all of the great qualities we associate with the American character: they're industrious, loyal to each other, they're amazing little engineers, they coexist well with other native birds, and they just won't give up, even when the deck is stacked against them."

In 2006, with the help of students at the Touro Law Clinic, Stephen formed the Brooklyn Parrot Society, a non-profit corporation based in the State of New York, to provide the public at large with information about the remarkable wild parrots of Brooklyn.

When he's not watching the parrots or leading tours to see them, Stephen plays rhythm guitar and sings with The Meetles, New York's premiere underground Beatles tribute band.

You can reach Stephen by phone at 347.542.2264

P.S.: Steve is available to present to your bird group or parrot/pet group and has created a multimedia presentation designed to tell the story of the Brooklyn Parrots. If you have an upcoming event and you think that your audience would be interested in learning about the wild parrots of NYC, please give Steve a call.

Subway Sing-A-Long: Hey Jude

Hey Jude Times Square Subway Station from 39forks on Vimeo.

What a wild, wonderful Saturday. Wild parrots galore in the afternoon, and then this action at Times Square, courtesy of THE MEETLES, the band I'm in, and a great great NY audience.

Letters Urgently Needed to Protect Quakers via NYS Bill: S.4131

PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST (Note I did not write the following letter but am reposting it: please cross-post if you care!)

An urgent situation has arisen regarding the wild Quaker parrots of New York State. A letter from Frank S. Scaduto, Legislative Director to State Senator Joseph Addabbo, has requested immediate help from animal organizations in NY via letters of support for bill S.4131. This bill would grant Quaker parrots legal protection in NY. As things now stand, they are unprotected by law and therefore subject to trapping and extermination- -both of which do take place.

I've written a sample letter, attached. Please feel free to change a word or two and send it on behalf of the Quaker parrots. This is a critical time for them--please, don't let them down. Currently, nests are intentionally destroyed in winter, as these birds cannot survive without the warmth of their communal habitats. They also destroy them in spring--killing all the babies. It's horrible. The birds are often gassed.

Please mail/fax/email to the following people, detailed at the end of Frank Scaduto's comments below. For the parrots--thank you so much for caring!

Mr. Scaduto has written:

"Okay, received some feedback from Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. The Committee had stated they are receiving opposition against the bill and no support from organizations in favor of the bill. What I need from you and other organizations is a letter or a memo in support for this bill, detailing reasons in a one page format why you are a supporter of the bill and what the bill will do for New York State.

The opposition is based on two reasons: (1.) The bill addresses an invasive species, and (2.) If the bill were to pass, other individuals will be inclined to protect other invasive species, whereby 'opening the floodgates' so to speak. The letters/memos in support should answer both of these concerns.

I would encourage you to do this ASAP so I can persuade the Committee to hear the bill, and to either fax or email a copy to my email address (if by fax, its 518-426-6875; email is scaduto@senate. state.ny. us). Please reach out to other groups who would favor this bill. The Senate Environmental Conservation Committee needs to hear your voices.

In addition to faxing/emailing me support letters/memos, address them to Senator Antoine Thompson by fax (518-426-6969) , email (athompso@senate. state.ny. us), or mail (902 LOB; Albany, NY 12247). Each support memo/letter should reference S.4131 (Addabbo) and your reasons for support of this bill and its passage.

Thanks for your advocacy behind the bill and I look forward to pushing the Committee to entertain and move the bill.

Frank S. Scaduto, Legislative Director

Office of NYS Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.

15th Senate District

815 L.O.B.

Albany, NY 12247

(P): 518-455-2321

(F): 518-426-6875

(E): Scaduto@senate.state.ny.us

SAMPLE LETTER:
parrot_sample_ltr.doc