Wild Telegraph Hill Parrots began settling in the San Francisco, California area during the 1990s.
The wild parrots of Telegraph Hill have been a San Francisco icon since the release of the movie of the same name in 2005. The city’s natives have been familiar with the parrots since the 1990s, when they began to settle and breed in large quantities in the city. Visitors to the city often seek out the flock of wild parrots during their visits, because the ever-growing flock of tropical birds is a unique and striking sight in the urban suburbs of Northern California.
Red masked parakeets make up the majority of the birds grouped in the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill.
Most of the birds grouped in the Telegraph Hill Wild Parrots are red-masked parakeets, also called cherry-headed macaws. The birds came from escaped pets and were deliberately released in the 1990s and apparently quickly found an ecological niche. The flock started with a single breeding pair and by 2005 there were more than 200 birds. The birds are not to be confused with a second flock of wild parrots in San Francisco, which live around Monte Potrero. These birds are Canary-winged Parakeets and are not generally found in the Telegraph Hill area.
Telegraph Hill is an area in the northeastern part of San Francisco covered by the Coit Tower, which is a distinctive landmark in the San Francisco skyline. The wild parrots of Telegraph Hill probably prefer the region because of its extensive gardens, which descend from the hill amidst a winding maze of streets and walking paths. The area’s lush gardens provide ample food for the parrots, along with nesting areas.
A man named Mark Bittner is closely associated with the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill, having published a book about parrots in 2004. In 2005, the film was made, catapulting Bittner and the parrots into popularity and public attention. As awareness of parrots became more widespread, it also generated controversy. Some conservationists felt that the flock should be removed if possible, as the parrots were non-native species, which could threaten the welfare of native birds. Other Franciscans fought to keep the parrots intact, arguing that they were an important part of the city’s culture and history.
Ultimately, parrot conservationists prevailed, and wild Telegraph Hill parrots can be seen on their territory and throughout the town foraging for food. In 2007, a feeding ban was published, banning the feeding of parrots in public spaces. The ban was intended to address concerns that the parrots could be trapped if they are tamed by the people who feed them. Ornithologists also feared that the birds would lose their independence if fed too much, noting that the animals can become aggressive when fed too often. While many have questioned the ban, others believe it will ultimately benefit Telegraph Hill’s wild parrots by keeping them free and ferocious.