Love Birds

Happy Friday Jr. everyone :)

I’ve been seeing more and more quaker parrots in my area and as much as they warm my heart and soul, it did get me wondering how these little guys got here.

Technically speaking, there isn’t a single species of Parrot that is native to FL since the Carolina Parakeet was extinct in 1918. Quaker parrots are native to South America and most likely made their way here through the pet trade in the 60s. Some would eventually escape and form the feral flocks we see here in SoFlo.

Quakers, or Monk Parakeets, are some of the friendliest and most photogenic birds Ive had the pleasure to photograph. Studies show that their wild population in Florida was around 35,000 in 2016, and they have served to fill an ecological void that was left after the Carolina’s extinction.

The downside to them being invasive is that they are offered absolutely no protection by federal or state laws against poaching/capturing. It is up to us to keep our green friends safe!

Have you guys seen these little dudes hanging out? I often find them hiding in palm trees or chilling on the telephone wires.

Always a pleasure to see these little guys 🦜🌿