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Posted by Gary G. on 17:20:51 06/01/05
In Reply to: s. Florida exotics posted by Scott Atkinson
Have you ever seen a Black-hooded Parakeet?
They are large to medium, bright-green, exotic parakeets with black heads (hence the name 'Black-hooded') and a green, pointed tail that fades to blue on the tip.
They are very common parrots in parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
A small but stable flock population (varies from 1 - 2 parrots to 8-9 {estimated}) lives in my neighborhood in southeastern Palm Beach County (Boca Raton). They feed from and visit feeders in a neighbor's yard. They often hang out or sit on overhead wires. They scream occasionally, most often when flying with the others of their group overhead. They often follow each other when flying, and when one leaves, the rest follow. The parakeets in my neighborhood often travel all around the local area, but I have not found their nest (the definate proof that they are breeding). They have been in my area for quite some time, ever since I moved in around 3 years ago. They are still here and doing very well.
The parrots in my neighborhood fly in groups as far as several blocks and many streets away throughout the neighborhood and surrounding areas.
They allow you to approach closely if you are slow, but immediately take off or fly further away to a safer perch when startled or when you are within a certain distance from them.
Surprisingly, the FWC's Exotic Wildlife Page says these parrots are not breeding in Palm Beach County.
These parrots have established themselves in many other counties in Florida, including following counties:
Bay
Broward
Dade
Duval
Hillsborough
Monroe
Pinellas
Polk
St. Johns
Have you seen them?
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