I've lived in Miami since 1992, and so long as I can recall the great parrots have flown over our neighborhood: all over Coconut Grove, South Gables, South Miami and Pinecrest. A few years ago, a third joined the pair that cruised regularly overhead. I'm not talking about the little green ones: these are big and colorful, with long tails, and live 60 to 80 years. Last year, I spotted a fourth. They would reliably shout out and bicker with each other in our neighborhood in springtime, cracking open the pods of the Royal Poincianas. This year, I haven't seen them. Often I'd see them around US 1, envious of their commute time. It is possible they found a better place to forage. Has anyone out there seen four or more large wild parrots?
19 comments:
It was too cold. They went back to Amazon.
Wow. Thanks for pointing that out. Those parrots frequent my neighborhood. I'd like to say I've seen them recently, but I have an eerie sense of doubt...
I miss them too
Chock it up to global cooling.
i saw a pair last sunday on the biltmore golf course...when i saw them i realized that i had not seen any for a while..it made me happy to see them around. There were also dozens of the green ones...
Good to know they are in the neighborhood. But they had been traveling in four. Anyone seen them together?
Actually there were as many as six that frequented US1 near UM at rush hour.
They are still around but I can't tell you about sightings in the last three weeks because I have changed my route to be able to observe the swallowtail kites that are back for the summer.
Btw , there is a person near Old Cutler rd that has a FLOCK visit her own macaws every day. More than 10 I believe!
I saw all four last week in South Miami, on the south side of SW 68th Street in the trees just west of the Health Dept. property near the intersection with Commerce Lane. It was about 6 p.m. Magnificent sight.
bad. they are non-natives.
Just saw a pair in front of my house in South Miami on 70th street the other day
I have seen at least 2 of them in the Miracle Mile / Douglas Rd. area in the past month. I hear them every few days.
As a matter of fact, they are in a Royal Poinciana tree.
M "The Bird Wisperer"
Reading back through the comments:
Sylvia - they are in your hood, just listen up for them.
I have also seen them flying around the UM campus, near the Basketball Center recently.
m
Saw& Heard the 'Foursome Flysome' in South Grove last Sunday afternoon but it has been less than more sightings...
These large parrots are blue and gold macaws, and, are originally from South America. Non-natives. Rumor has it that some initially escaped from the Metro Zoo after Hurricane Andrew. Like snakes in the everglades too, macaws are sold in pet stores and its certainly possible that some have been let go by owners. I would guess must be a decent population of them in South Florida now, I see/hear them semi-frequently in South Miami and the Gables as well. Have seen as many as six at one time.
Would be curious to hear the thoughts of some Miami ornithologist as to the total amount of blue and gold macaws in South Florida.
Just saw two of them in Palmetto Bay.
I see them frequently! They fly in between UM and Fairchild/Matheson/Pinecrest Gardens ... or at least that's where I've seen them!
Sometimes I've even seen them fly low over the cars on US 1 right before the Starbucks/Book Horizon area, which concerns me for their safety, of course.
Majestic and wonderful ... I don't care if they are non-native. They're not harming the environment and they are a sight to behold!
Saw two of the four on mon 4/19 right near Fuchs park in So. Miami. 80th and US-1. Other two may have been around somewhere but didn't see them. Everyone in busy CVS parking lot just stopped in their tracks and watched as the two flew overhead.
I know this blog is outdated, however I'd like to announce the birds still thrive. On my daily commute to work i drive on US1 from south beach to pinecrest and for the last 8months I have seen up to 6 blue and gold macaws at a time. They are breathtakingly beautiful. They forage on a enormous palm tree which is in the median of the street, right in front of the Denny's restaurant, passing UM. I usually have spotted them flying to or fro from this tree, very close to it and resting there saw well. Its nice to know they have been here since the last post in 2010. I was wondering how they got here, which led me here. I was thinking metro zoo, during one of our many hurricanes? Or maybe they have migrated from far away and have found comfort in our tropical landscapes and weather.? Wherever they came from, I hope they never leave.
they pass through my backyard in three to 4 like every other week....I can hear them when they are coming...Miller and turnpike ...beautiful birds
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