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Fw: Quaker Parrots in eastern NC



Quaker Parrots are Monk Parakeets, FYI. The aviculturalists and the birders
can never agree on common names. There was a long discussion about this on
Florida Birds recently.

Robin Carter
Columbia, SC
rcarter@sc.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron" <oldapple@bighorsecreekfarm.com>
To: "Carolinabirds" <carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2001 7:03 PM
Subject: Quaker Parrots in eastern NC


> Hi folks,
>     This is a late posting but quite interesting nonetheless. During
> Thanksgiving while visiting friends and family in Nash Co., we had the
> opportunity to observe a group of  Quaker Parrots constructing a large
nest
> atop a utility pole near Red Oak, just west of Rocky Mt.
>
>     David Braswell, an avid outdoorsman and employee of Carolina Power and
> Light, told us of seeing several "parrots" in a nest constructed on top of
a
> transformer on one of CP&L's utility poles. Being very skeptical we went
to
> the site and were stunned to see three large, green parrots busy at work
> building a large, multi-storied nest! We were able to observe the birds as
> they flew to nearby trees where they would cut large twigs from the
branches
> and then return to the nest and begin to weave the cuttings into the nest.
> They are very vocal and very aggressive to anyone approaching the nest.
>
>     It was only later after consulting a few references that we were able
to
> determine they were Quaker Parrots. They must certainly be released or
> escaped birds, but they are a very cold-hardy species and certainly could
> cope with winter in eastern North Carolina.
>
>     I confirmed today that the birds are still there and available for
> viewing. For those interested in seeing this most unusual sighting, the
> directions are as follows: From Nashville, NC, take Hwy. 64 East Bypass
> going toward Rocky Mt. After approximately 4-5 miles, take the Red Oak -
> Business 64 exit going into Red Oak. Go about 1.4 miles to the
intersection
> of SR 1600 (Reges Road) and SR 1003 (Red Oak Hwy). Park at the L&L Food
> Store there and look across Red Oak Hwy. at the utility pole to see the
> nest.
>
>     This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to see a tropical species
> trying to make a go of it in eastern Piedmont NC. Good birding to all.
>
> Ron and Suzanne Joyner
> Big Horse Creek Farm
> Antique and Heirloom Apples
> e-mail: oldapple@bighorsecreekfarm.com
> website: www.bighorsecreekfarm.com
>
>