Kathleen and I went to see the feral Monk Parakeets. I was going to bring Kili along but the weather was a bit chilly and it would have been too much to handle cameras and bird at the same time.
They have feral populations in several parts of Brooklyn. We went to see the ones near the "Dust Bowl" baseball field and park by 65th street in Bay Ridge. They survive the cold New York City winters by building their communal nests on power poles or near transformers to keep warm. In the spring time they can be observed preening, feeding, and frolicking in the trees surrounding their nests. Their green color, long tails, and quaking calls cannot be mistaken for any native species.
Monk Parakeet preening on platform railing
Taking a peak out of the nest
Starling
Monk Parakeet flying back to nest
Then landing and climbing in
Pair of Monk Parakeets preening themselves
And then each other
Taking off
Getting the belly
Staying close together
Getting fluffy
Hello
Can't quite reach
Cute couple
Parakeet kisses
Male House Sparrow
And Female House Sparrow not far beyond
And finally, a video so you can see/hear what it's like to visit the wild feral quaker parrots of Brooklyn: