Leaf Buds Provide Cold Weather Staple for Brooklyn Parrots

A Brooklyn Monk Parrot helps himself to a tasty leaf bud, 12/3/2006

In their pioneering 2000 study of Monk Parakeet behavior, University of Chicago researchers Jason M. South and Stephen Pruett-Jones delivered many important findings about the behavior and habits of the wild parrots which now inhabit many North American cities. One of the most interesting findings about the Chicago Parrots was that they appear to depend almost exclusively on human-supplied feed from bird feeders during the cold months.

Among the Wild Parrots of Brooklyn, leaf buds appear to provide a good source of cold weather nutrition. While it is certainly true that bird feeders are visited by the Brooklyn-based parrots, leaf buds (which are available even in January and February) appear are readily relied upon by our feathered friends to keep them going. Here are some photos of the Brooklyn birds helping themselves to these tasty buds this December: the location is Green-Wood Cemetery (click on any photo for an enlarged view).


Tasty and nutritious leaf buds are available to the Brooklyn Parrots even during the winter months. Reliance upon them , however, doesn't necessarily mean that these birds won't be showing up at your backyard bird feeder soon!


Although there is no fruit in this cherry tree right now, this hungry monk is literally cherry-picking this tree.


This wild parrot has a particularly intense expresson of enjoyment on his face.


A wild parrot, perched in a Cherry Tree, with Old Glory in the background. What could be more patriotic?


A wild monk parrot contemplates his next move, which appears to be directed towards a nearby leaf bud on the branch next to him.


"Hey!," the parrot on the right seems to say. "Those are MY leaf buds!" Fortunately, there are plenty of tasty buds to go around for all this Sunday in December.