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Mister
SF is seen here in 2002 with The Wild Parrots
of Telegraph Hill. The rowdy and charming flock of Cherry-headed
Conures is estimated to have put down roots here around the time of the
Loma Prieta Earthquake, though no mythology has been ascribed to that coincidence
- yet. In the 1990s their legend grew along with their numbers. Though
concern for the Conures garnered enormous publicity when their primary caretaker,
Mark Bittner, was forced to
relocate from his cottage near the Greenwich steps, Bittner says they continued
to thrive without him. That's probably just as well since any effort by
the City or interested locals to intervene on behalf of the parrots would
probably only interrupt their natural habits and doom them. You mean nature
doesn't need our help? Bittner reminds us, "They are wild after all." Now
numbering around 70, many of the birds have been named and all have distinct
personalities and relationships within the flock. On the day of Mister SF's
visit, lover's quarrels were witnessed as well as hawk patrol and what could
easily be construed as gossiping among the enchanting birds. To what does
Bittner attribute their appeal? "They're colorful and they come from somewhere
else, just like San Franciscans."
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about the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill |