Wait, Why Are There So Many Wild Parrots & Parakeets In California Yards?

If you live in California, chances are you've had Polly and friends show up in your yard. You're definitely not alone. California has thriving populations of wild parrots and parakeets, and their story likely goes back to the pet trade boom of the 1950s. Exotic birds were imported by the thousands during that decade, and while many stayed in cages, plenty of others didn't. Some escaped accidentally through open windows, while others were deliberately released by owners who could no longer care for them.

A few escapees turned into small flocks, and in cities like Pasadena, San Diego, and Los Angeles, those flocks began to breed. California turned out to be surprisingly welcoming to them. To begin with, the mild climate was ideal. Plus, there was no shortage of food. Of course, this isn't the only story of how parrots and parakeets arrived in the Golden State. There's one theory that the Great Kern County Dust Storm of 1977 tore open the roof of the Happy Bird Aviary of Kern County Fairgrounds. As a result, a couple of parakeets escaped and started to breed. Meanwhile, parrots are believed to have migrated from Mexico because of habitat loss. 

So, why do these parrots and parakeets continue to roost together on trees, enjoy DIY bird feeders, and fly across city parks in colorful flocks today? It mostly has something to do with the fact that the state's cities and suburbs provide the perfect conditions for these birds: warm winters, plenty of fruits trees that grow in front yards, and safe roosting spots in tall palms. Yards filled with oranges, figs, loquats, and flowers give them year-round access to food. And with the variety of species these birds appear in, they even seem to be crossbreeding and hybridizing.

People also play a big role in California's parrot and parakeet populations today. Instead of seeing them as pests, many residents enjoy their presence. They add bursts of color and life to otherwise ordinary neighborhoods, and local birdwatchers treat them like an attraction. It's also worth mentioning that they're non-invasive and harmless by nature — aside from their loud squawking, of course, but people seem to have gotten used to that.

The result is that these populations continue to thrive, almost as if they belong here. Red-crowned parrots, which are native to Mexico, are actually doing better in California than back home. As a matter of fact, this species of parrot is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. But in California, their numbers seem to be on the rise. Since 1963, the local population of red-crowned parrots has increased to over 3,000. Lilac-crowned parrots, which are similar to their red-crowned cousins, have grown in number, too, with about 800 now living in the area. Besides these two species, you can also expect to welcome yellow-headed parrots as well as Mitred, Nanday, red-masked, and yellow-chevroned varieties of parakeets in your yard — among others. Just make sure to keep hawks away from the bird feeder.