Jersey Parrots on Edge Over New PSE&G Nest Teardowns

On Monday, word that Public Service Electric & Gas -- the utility company that has been battling the wild parrots of New Jersey for several years -- is planning to launch a new assault on Edgewater's parrot nests this Thursday, sent ripples of alarm through the town's wild parrot colony.


"I don't like it and I really can't understand it," said this frustrated parrot, who had just finished putting a new roof on his nest on River Road. "PSE&G's corporate motto is 'We Make Things Magical' but as far as us parrots are concerned, it should be 'We Make Things Tragical.'"


Other wild parrots in Edgewater, especially those who were lucky enough to build their nests away from PSE&G's utility poles, seemed less alarmed. "PSE&G's teardowns won't really affect us," said the male in this tree-dwelling pair (left). "I'm not saying those pole-dwelling parrots deserve to become homeless, but maybe they'll learn their lesson this time: keep away from PSE&G's poles!"


"We're nervous about the teardowns, but we're prepared," said the male parrot of this pair (left), who both live in a tree nest on Route 5 but whose cousins live in a pole nest nearby. "Nobody in our family has any eggs in their nests right now." The female seemed less sanguine. "I don't know why people hate us so much," she said. "When did being a wild parrot become a crime in New Jersey?"


While the majority of parrots in Edgewater seemed resigned to the announced depradations, some parrots were plainly angry and didn't mind sharing their displeasure with this reporter. "Call my hysterical, but I haven't slept a wink since I learned that PSE&G trucks are coming back," said this haggard looking parrot. "I mean, we just finished rebuilding those nests. What are these utility guys trying to do -- freeze us to death?"


Although the mood among Edgewater's wild parrots remained glum on Monday, news of the teardowns spurred several prominent members of the bird community to respond generously to the crisis. Several tree-dwelling birds in Parrot Park have already agreed to open up their nests to parrots made homeless by the utility company. "We have two unoccupied chambers in this duplex," said the owner of this parrot condo (visible in the upper chamber), "and we're happy to let refugees stay here if PSE&G nukes their nests. When disasters happen, we'll open our doors - it's just the right thing to do."

For breaking news on the PSE&G nest teardowns, please visit EdgewaterParrots.com.