wild peach-faced lovebird perched high in a giant saguaro

[StarryNite]

A little about these lovebirds that we love to love...

Wild Flocks of Peach-Faced Lovebirds Thrive in Arizona

Excerpts:

Though peach-faced lovebirds are not native to the United States, these parrots are now estimated to number in the hundreds in the greater Phoenix area — enough to give the neighborhood residents regular glimpses of the colorful bird.

The origins of these naturalized peach-faced lovebirds are believed to be at area aviaries that kept large flocks of birds years ago, said Greg Clark, burrowing owl coordinator for the nonprofit group Wild at Heart and creator of a peach-faced lovebird spotting website. One of the aviary owners decided to turn the birds loose, creating a large initial release site, Clark said.

~snip~

But while initial growth of peach-faced lovebirds can be credited to rapid breeding, it’s the suitability of the bird to the warm and dry climate of Phoenix that keeps the population flourishing. Clark said in spite of past similar accidental releases of flocks of parakeets and cockatiels in the area, it’s only the peach-faced lovebird that continues to thrive.

~snip~

Fortunately, it seems as though displacement of native species is not an issue with the peach-faced lovebirds. While reports have emerged of some lovebirds displacing woodpeckers from their nest cavities, Clark said the rate of cavity-creation with species like the gila woodpecker is so frequent that it is of really no significant concern.

More at link:
[link:https://be.chewy.com/wild-flocks-of-peach-faced-lovebirds-thrive-in-arizona/|

[brer cat]

1. Beautiful bird.

Thanks for the background story.

[StarryNite]

2. You're welcome.

[Tom Kitten]

3. I haven't seen a peach head colored one before

They are entertaining to watch. We have flocks of green ones here in So Cal, every morning and evening they fly thru, coming and going to their roosts. They make quite a racket, especially when they take a break in our trees

[StarryNite]

4. The peach-faced ones do better in a dry climate.

Some of them are yellow. They are loud and noisy too! They sound very different from our native birds.

[Hulk]

5. Had a pair of these as pets years ago....

Amazing little buddies. They were the most mischievous of all my birds. If they got out, they were nasty biters when caught and put back inside the cage.

We had four parakeets and about 70 canaries at the time. It was an amazing experience. It was an eight hour a day job taking care of these little critters. Loved watching them breed and grow up to be amazing creatures.

[StarryNite]

6. Wow! That's a lot of birds!

It must have been a really neat experience. Birds are wonderful creatures.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

7. We encountered several of them in Maui last month.

Truly beautiful birds. Nice pic!

[StarryNite]

8. Thank you!

Interesting that they can live and thrive in climates that are so very different from each other. I love the little screechy things.
They really are beautiful.

[Ziggysmom]

9. That is amazing, a lovely photo. I wonder how they can handle the recent summer heatwaves.

Bet a flock of them is quite noisy 🦜

[StarryNite]

11. Thank you!

They are native to arid regions in southwestern Africa. Hopefully that will help them to survive here as our summers keep getting longer and hotter. Even just a couple of them are noisy. LOL It's their noise that gets my attention because it's so different from our native birds.

[George McGovern]

10. Pretty bird -- Excellent Composition. Thanks StarryNite!

[StarryNite]

12. Thank you George!