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frodosdream t1_j256gw8 wrote

>Monk parakeets have established perches in Miami, New York and other cities. But the colony underneath the Skyway, where the birds build their nests among the concrete and steel supports several stories off the ground, is one of the more improbable spots they scratch out a living.

Somehow the image of escaped tropical birds surviving and even thriving in the sub-zero conditions of Chicago in winter gives me hope. Hope they continue to thrive!

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grendel_x86 t1_j25fsn1 wrote

On the Northside, there are a bunch in Cell Towers. The last group I saw was along the North Branch. There were a few starting south of Devon (West Rodgers Park), and going north up through Lincolnwood.

Not sure how they do it. Their nests are kinda big.

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newtoreddir t1_j27agjq wrote

Do the towers emit some warmth from the machinery?

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grendel_x86 t1_j27pvop wrote

Probably (really have no idea). I'm guessing dozens of birds in a nest huddled is a big part.

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TheGrandExquisitor t1_j2ax5k0 wrote

Only parrot that builds nests out of sticks like that. The rest are cavity dwellers.

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irkli t1_j27laxm wrote

LA has parrots. They're fkn loud! And argue, lined up on phone lines. Once in a while one will whack another, and it will spin on the wire, gripped with two feet, like in a cartoon.

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THExGIRTH t1_j25u5i4 wrote

Not only in New York, we have em in New Jersey along the river. You can see their giant nests on telephone poles in edgewater

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RandomChurn t1_j264kty wrote

We had a huge colony in Rhode Island too but I think they were "moved along" elsewhere -- a loss imo

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thatisnotmyknob t1_j2724m5 wrote

There are loads in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. I believe they're from higher altitudes where it does actually get cold.

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TheGrandExquisitor t1_j2ayhmp wrote

Parrots aren't purely tropical. The Kea in New Zealand regularly stay above the tree line in the mountains and deal with snow every winter. And they can also be very adaptable.

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leo_aureus t1_j299q6r wrote

I keep seeing them in Austin when I run at lunch from work, two months ago there were 2 and two weeks ago there were 4 of them, on the northern 290 frontage road right near the 290 maintenance center between Laramie and Central.

They are not living there beat as I can tell, but they squawk loudly when I approach and fly the heck away before I can really get near them, they seem happy to not be around people even more than most of the local bird residents…

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internet_chump t1_j29feyp wrote

"Somehow, life...uh...finds a way." - Mark Twain

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Sea-Kitchen3779 t1_j27z4hu wrote

Those goddamned things. My mom had two or three for a while. Shutters

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