Extremely Rare Abaco Parrot Photo

[SusieAndAl]

Hi Everyone,

About a week after Hurricane Jeanne, I was woken up by a wonderful, raucous sound: the Abaco Parrots had returned to our garden! I jumped out of bed and looked for them in the trees that were still standing, and couldn't see the birds. Then I saw them on the ground, feeding on fallen berries. This was both a wonderful and sad sight. Wonderful that they were back and seemed to be in good shape; sad that they had to forage for food on the ground.

If you look closely at the photo, you will see four parrots feeding on the ground. This is almost unheard of and I believe this is the only known photo of such an occurance -- let's all hope it never happens again.

The post script to this is that I went to Pinewoods and bought a bunch of parrot food -- they never touched a bit of it!

[riss]

wow that is great news ... are they still hanging around?
how lucky you are to have them visit your home

[dive guana]

I have yet to see them for myself but I have heard that the parrots had travelled as far as Man O War Cay looking for food after the storm. Apparently their food source on the mainland was scarce so they have taken up residence in Man O War. As many as 20 to 25 have been spotted and I have seen pictures of at least 8. They seem to move from the north to the south of the island as the day goes along and feed actively in early morning and night. In looking for them just listen, they make a loud racket.

I do not know if this was temporary or if they are going to stay

Troy

[Sid]

Thanks so much for posting the picture. I can only spot three of them, but it is such good news to know that there are still some left. I remember well going on a parrot spotting expedition many years ago and never spotting one of them.
And on all my subsequent visits listening and watching in hopes of spotting them in the wild. There were some in Nassau in the Zoo there and they were magnificent.
Thanks again.
Sid

[Herbie]

I was in Treasure Cay just after Jeanne and 2 flew over our heads at Mariners Cove!!!