Urban Parrot News: Wild Parrot Nests Removed at Brooklyn College (But Light Towers Will Remain)

Two of the remaining four light towers at Brooklyn College where wild parrots build their communal nests. Photo taken June 28, 2007.

If you've been to BrooklynParrots.com before, you know that there are two main wild parrot colonies in Brooklyn, one at Brooklyn College, and the other at Green-Wood Cemetery. These colonies have been in existence since the 1970's and represent the parrots' first permanent homes in the New York City area. At Brooklyn College, the parrots build their elaborate communal nests on four large light tower arrays situated around the soccer field. Originally there were six of these towers, but two were removed in May of 2006 to make room for Brooklyn College's new athletic center.

Last week, several concerned neighborhood residents approached me with news that the parrots' nests were being removed from the four remaining light towers, and I personally inspected the scene this past Saturday. I have subsequently learned that these nests were removed in order that the lamps in the towers could be replaced.

While it always troubles me to see wild parrot nests removed, the fact that that wild Quaker Parrots often build their nests in structures built to support electrical fixtures such as stadium light towers creates a situation in which these nests must be removed from time to time. As long as the parrots cannot avail themselves of strong steel structures where there are no active electrical elements, such nest removals will be required in the interest of public safety.

My hope is that someday such non-electrified but nest-suitable structures shall be built in New York State (Texas already builds such structures to woo the monks away from live power poles). In fact, if you inspect the photos below, you can easily see the features of stadium light towers which provide such an excellent substructure for Quaker Parrot nests: a gridwork floor (ideal for weaving twigs into), vertical and diagonal support struts (which keep the nests from being blown away or toppling of their own weight), and even "perching platforms" in the form of stepladder elements.

I am convinced that if similar, but non-electrified structures were erected somewhere the Quaker Parrots could easily be convinced to use it, instead of "live" poles, for their nests. But only a real-live field test could prove my theory in the real world, and I plan to continue to work with Marc Johnson, of FosterParrots.com, to determine which alternative nest platform design works best with wild Quakers. Establishing an effective alternative nest design and successfully field-testing such a structure would help both the wild parrots and those charged with maintaining electrical systems, such as power companies and institutions such as Brooklyn College.

While it's sad to lose these nests, I think it's important to look on the bright side of this story. First and most importantly, Brooklyn College continues to regard the presence of wild parrots on its campus as a good thing, and has no plans to eradicate them. Secondly, the fact that new lights have been installed on the light towers means that the next removal of this kind will likely not occur for several years. Thirdly, the fact that the light towers have been upgraded clearly indicates that the towers themselves will not be removed any time soon, which means that the colony's future is ensured for the foreseeable future. Finally, the parrots will have plenty of time to rebuild their impressive structures before the cold winter descends, and they have already commenced reconstruction operations.


The nest-less light towers on Saturday. If you look carefully, you can see a wild parrot sitting next to the access box directly above the pole. He looks a bit depressed right now, but will soon spring into action again with his fellows as they rebuild their home.


The same light tower (photo taken from the opposite side) in 2005.


Here, two parrots begin the task of rebuilding. My hope is that someday, non-electrified structures based closely on this proven stadium light pole design will be deployed in areas where Quaker Parrots need to be convinced not to build their nests on active electrical infrastruture. If this were to happen, the parrots' presence would cause fewer problems for those charged with maintaining such electrical systems.