On Saturday I took my official bird watching trip. Yep, all the way down Rosemead Blvd. into Temple City. We were there to see and hear the famed Temple City Parrot Roost. The event (the bird watching; not the birds) was arranged by the Moore Laboratory of Zoology at Occidental College.
There is, of course, a direct connection between the Temple City Parrot Roost and east Pasadena. It is certain (or at least probable) that these Red-crowned Parrots descend from parrots released in 1959 from the old Simpson’s Garden Town and Bird Farm on East Colorado Blvd. I related that dramatic story in a vintage East of Allen post here.
Here’s another east Pasadena connection. While these parrots spend their nights in Temple City, their day job is foraging for food in area neighborhoods, including east Pasadena. They get started bright and early. In fact, I heard many of them this morning and am listening to them now as I write this post.
So, about dusk, maybe 50 of us gathered in a shopping center parking lot on Rosemead Blvd. The folks from the Moore Lab gave a brief presentation and answered questions. As shown in the video above, the parrots start arriving near sundown. Their numbers steadily increase as they fly near their roost and gather on power lines.
At the appointed time, hundreds of parrots, seemingly all squawking, descend on these trees lining Rosemead. The video above was taken as the parrots settle into the trees. It is dark by that time, but the video will give you a good idea of the sights and sounds.
It was my first official bird watch experience. I was interested to see other bird watchers and all the fancy equipment arrayed to see the parrots. Also interested to hear from the people from Oxy who study the parrots.
But for all the equipment and all the brain power, there is so much mystery about these birds. Like, why do they choose to roost on busy Rosemead Blvd.? They’re birds, they could go anywhere.
Much appreciation to the Moore Laboratory and its Free Flying Parrot Project for arranging this event. Very enjoyable evening.
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