Monday, March 26, 2018

Munching Monks / Monjes Masticando

I WAS SURPRISED to see some of our local (invasive) Monk Parakeets (also known as Quaker Parrots) completely exposed in a tamarind tree, even posing for photos (or at least staring at me curiously). Usually they are hidden in palm trees making uproarious noise. But then I noticed they're one of the reasons many of our tamarind trees look so forlorn this time of year — a delicious meal. Granted, the birds are not the only problem for these trees. The tamarinds (different from other tamarind trees I know of) don't appear to establish a strong root system, so they are easily blown over in our winds, especially when the ground is soaked during a heavy rain. Also, the City hasn't been consistent with staking the trees. And drunk tourists like to hang off them, breaking the delicate branches. More are replaced than survive every year. There must be some reason to keep planting new ones.

And, yes, our skies really are that blue.

ME SORPRENDIÓ VER a algunos de nuestros locales (invasivos) Pericos Monjes completamente expuestos en un tamarindo, incluso posando para fotos (o al menos mirándome con curiosidad). Por lo general, están escondidos en las palmeras haciendo un ruido estruendoso. Pero luego noté que son una de las razones por las que muchos de nuestros árboles de tamarindo parecen tan abandonados en esta época del año — una comida deliciosa. De acuerdo, las aves no son el único problema para estos árboles. Los tamarindos no parecen establecer un sistema de raíces fuerte, por lo que son fácilmente arrastrados por nuestros vientos, especialmente cuando el suelo está empapado durante una lluvia intensa. Además, la Ciudad no ha sido consistente con estacar los árboles. Y a los turistas ebrios les gusta colgarlos, rompiendo las delicadas ramas. Se reemplazan más que los que sobreviven cada año. Debe haber alguna razón para seguir plantando nuevos. 

Y, sí, nuestros cielos son realmente tan azules.






20 comments:

  1. "Munching Monks", I was expecting something entirely different! Those beaks look like they can do some major damage. Pretty birds, pretty birds :)

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    Replies
    1. Deedles:
      Those beaks WERE doing a lot of damage. They're not the most popular birds with local authorities, but they sure are cute... and smart.

      Delete
  2. Gorgeous beings - though, as with all birds, I do wish they'd be more discriminating as to where and when they leave their 'messages'.

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    Replies
    1. Ray:
      I agree about the messages. These guys are smart enough, I think, to do it intentionally!

      Delete
  3. Those poor parakeets looking for something to eat. They might as well be standing in a breadline.












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  4. They look like a merry crew. Uproarious noise makers, eh?

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    Replies
    1. Debra:
      Loud! It's a good thing they're not right outside OUR windows.

      Delete
  5. Are they too far away for Dudo and Moose to enjoy? The green feathers against blue sky is a beautiful sight.

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    Replies
    1. Wilma:
      They did one day spend some time in a palm tree in front of our building. The cats went crazy.

      Delete
  6. All that is missing is a colony of Penguins

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  7. Replies
    1. anne marie:
      Today is even more glorious. I just got back from a long walk on the beach.

      Delete
  8. now you know I love these birds!!! I sight we just don't see here. They are gorgeous.

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    Replies
    1. mistress maddie:
      They're invasive here, but adorable. They've also become popular as pets. Really easy to teach to talk and a lot cheaper than other talking parrots.

      Delete
  9. There are invasive colonies of them in some of the major cities in Spain as I recall. Beautiful but noisy and destructive.

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    Replies
    1. Willym:
      They seem to be all around here now. We had them and other small parrots in Sevilla, too. And they're a big problem, apparently, in Madrid.

      Delete
  10. Our barometer is saying 'very dry' here!! Two days in a row with big skys! Nice to have these back, eh Mitch?
    How big are these parakeets? Pigeon size? They look lovely.

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  11. Jim:
    Much smaller than pigeons. Their longest length is the shortest length for a pigeon. And their weight is well less than half that of a pigeon. Also much smaller wingspan. Sweet little things.

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