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Wild Quakers of South Florida

Posted by jmdavey on

Wild Quaker Parrot

Quaker Parrot peeking from his front door.

Every once in a while I’m in the right place at the right time with the right camera and lens configuration to capture some wonderful wildlife photos. Such was the case on a Sunday afternoon in May, 2019 in Stuart Florida near a friend’s home.

Along with being the “sailfish” capitol of the world, and hailed as the most pedestrian friendly little town, Stuart, Florida is home to several active flocks of wild Quaker Parrots. Like some people build “butterfly gardens” to attract butterflies one good neighbor built a “Parrot Friendly” bird sanctuary with water features and feeders as a form of enjoyment for themselves and the neighbors. Te garden attracts many species of birds who enjoy the food and bath but the bird activity attracts bird watchers and photographers.

Wild Quakers of South Florida video

From the sidewalk, or even from a car window on the street, a passer-bystander can enjoy and photograph many birds as well as dozens of wild Quaker Parrots in the backyard of this inter-coastal waterway home. The day I visited I captured several hundred very nice images of active parrots enjoying life in the South Florida sun.

This very short video slideshow represents just a few of the bright green parrot images I photographed using the Canon 5D M IV and the Sigma 150-600 Sport lens. Click the video and expand it to full screen on you 4K monitor, if you have one. This is my very first full 4K video and it was produced on my LG-V20 cell phone with Kinemaster software. The music is licensed through Kinemaster and included with your premium purchase. Thought I would throw the stats in since I will be asked.

Wild Quaker Parrot

It’s not uncommon seeing other birds feeding and playing in the same space at the same time as Quakers.

Wild Quaker Parrot

Quaker Parrot takes a snooze while resting on a wire.

Wild Quaker Parrot_3779

Jo, my wife, and I have been watching the behavior of wild Quaker Parrots since 1996. One significant thing we’ve observed is that these birds really like to eat grass.

Wild Quaker Parrot

Sometimes beaks are for expression and communicating and not just biting. We’ve observed that the wild ones like to touch each other’s beak, sometimes “clack” them together even. It’s difficult to understand whether it’s to show affection, create a direct communication or clacking beaks just fun. Since we have kept Quakers in our home for over 30 years we’ve learned that these birds do show affection using their beaks. They use their beak for a wide variety of other uses, exploration, grappling – they use their beaks like another hand, as well as for eating and security biting.

Wild Quaker Parrot

Over the years we’ve noticed that some Quakers have orange iris circles while others have dark grey. Some are even black.

Wild Quaker Parrots

Quaker Parrots have beautiful bright blue wings that almost glow in the sunlight.

Wild Quaker Parrot

Sparrows, Warblers, and Woodpeckers are commonly see feeding with the bright green parrots.

Wild Quaker Parrot

Wild Quaker Parrots are just the cutest little green birds on the planet. But them I’m partial since we’ve had a dozen living with us over 3 decades.

These wild Quaker, “Monk” Parrots have been my favorite bird subject since I first heard one in the trees above my head in Fort Lauderdale, FL many years ago. I hope you enjoy seeing them.

Jon-Mark Davey http://jmd.rocks

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