The Whitestone Parrots

A correspondent in Queens reports that she witnessed 16 to 20 wild monk parrots in Frances Lewis Park in 1996. At its peak, the Park accomodated 4 to 5 nests built in tall trees, but two nests were destroyed when these trees, which were partially dead, collapsed. The parrots adapted to this circumstance by leaving the park and building nests in trees, especially pines, situated in backyards throughout the neighborhood. As of 2005, the birds have been sited flying around the neighborhood but the nests, being on private property, are difficult to inspect and survey.