Stress Eased by Connecting With Wildlife – In This Case – Wild Parrots

Are you looking for a way to deal with life stressors? Many studies have shown that nature can help you improve your well being and health. It’s something you just know when you experience it. It worked for me.

After I moved from San Jose to LA County 8 years ago, I felt home sick. Besides keeping in touch with my family, what helped me the most was observing wildlife and shooting photos and videos of animals. For instance, in the early morning, I stood waiting and watching on my roof deck for the sun to break over the horizon. I waited for the wild parrots of Redondo Beach to wake up. Then, shortly after sunrise, stillness gave way to chatter in a gently swaying palm tree. Soon, about 50 parrots emerged from their roost, squawking as they circled above me in the early morning sky. Thirty minutes later, they divided into smaller groups to forage throughout the city. 

When I returned to Santa Clara County, I  discovered Mitred Conures on Saratoga Sunnyvale Road in Sunnyvale in a flowering Eucalyptus Tree. There they drink the nectar of the pink flowers, sprinkling the discarded petals on the sidewalk. After following the flock in the late afternoon, I discovered their roosting site at  Las Palmas Park. They sleep above the children’s playground in tall palm trees. 

These birds measure 15 inches in length and are green with red spots on their wings, small patches of red on their head, and yellow spots on their breasts. They have never flown at elevations between 1000-2700 meters in their native neotropical habitat of Peru, Bolivia or Argentina. Instead, these naturalized parrots forage, roost, and breed in Sunnyvale,  California. 

Originally, Mitred Conures were imported for the pet trade. But pet owners either let them go, or the parrots escaped, making their home in non-indigenous surroundings. Yet, they have thrived because they have grown accustomed to the temperate climate and have found an abundance of tropical plants, including evergreen trees in the winter and deciduous trees in the summer. Conures and other parrots can eat a variety of fruits, seeds and nectar.   Wild parrots have been observed in other cities, such as San Francisco. And in Southern California, Temple City has provided an urban habitat for more than 1,000 Red-crowned parrots.  If you want to view the parrots at the park, the best time is shortly before sunset.

Las Palmas Park is located at 850 Russet Dr, Sunnyvale, CA
Diana Clarke is a certificated teacher and health educator. Her articles have appeared in magazines and newspapers, including the San Jose Mercury News. Visit her website at http://yourskinandsun.com