Here’s a nature pick-me-up for a dreary winter day – this fabulous documentary about a flock of escaped parrots in SF and the man who’s dedicated his life to them. A smart and lovable aging hippie, Mark Bittner was determined to spend his life doing only what he loved, whether it was his music or later, spending time with these and other large birds, even if it meant being very poor. So about 10 minutes into the movie old Mark had me questioning my very way of life.
Then there’s the birds themselves, just as lovable and even more watchable than Mark. Bottom line – I want one, or more. Do you think my cats would mind? (Hell, no; they’d love a change of diet.) And in their own way, the birds, too, challenged my thinking, especially my assumption that nonnative animals in the wild are a terrible thing. Upon learning that some environmental groups had tried to have thes
e wonderful animals exterminated I was shocked and appalled. Killer bees from Africa? Go ahead and nuke ‘em. Nutria clogging the Chesapeake Bay? Well, they’re bigger and almost cute, so go ahead but don’t show me any photos. Hey, they never asked to be brought here from South America. These parrots were spared, at least for now, but with flocks now living wild in various U.S. cities, the issue of what to do about them will surely rise again and I’m just hoping we come up with the funds to send them back to the wilds of Argentina, if it comes to that. And I thought invasive plants were a hot issue.
But don’t worry; the movie isn’t about controversy. It’s really about romance, in various forms.
A final note: If you rent this little gem I recommend getting the DVD version (assuming it’s even available in VCR) because of the terrific extras, like little stories about bird sanctuaries and Mark’s home movies, every bit as mesmerizing as the movie itself.
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I wonder if the SF parrots are the same species as the famous (infamous?) Brooklyn parrots? http://www.brooklynparrots.com/2005/03/what-are-wild-parrots-doing-in.html
And then there’s the CT Monk parrots who are engaged in a running battle w/ the electric company. http://www.connpost.com/charleswalsh/ci_3238386. All these bird stories certainly make me think seriously about what I would–and would not–tolerate on my own street.
Great post Susan. I’m a softie for parrots so I’ll try and get hold of the DVD. I’m always enticed toward their cages at the pet shop trying to con my wife into, at least, thinking about getting one..or two..
I had fun following up on some of Pam’s links to parrots who shouldn’t be where they are.
I thought I’d tell you about Australian galahs http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/galah.htm which are beautiful parrots, hated by the farmers because of their ability to destroy crops but are also found in huge noisy numbers in the suburbs of big cities like Melbourne. They are native and so common that even suburbanites hardly take notice of whole flocks of these pink and grey beauties sitting around everywhere. “Galah” is also Australian slang for “a fool, a simpleton”, so they don’t have very high standing in the community. But for pest value, don’t get us talking about possums, also natives!