When Man and Nature Collide
The Quaker Parrots of Yakolt, WA (and Brooklyn, Edgewater and more…)
An impassioned plea came to us from several of our members – please help the wild Quakers of Yakolt, WA from capture and euthanasia. Many of you requested that we intervene on behalf of these birds. We took your requests seriously, and we have compiled resources and information about what we have learned about this not-so-uncommon parrot vs. human problem. Thanks to TGF members and liaisons for the information provided to us about the Quaker parakeet situation in Yakolt, WA. Flocks of feral parrots are well documented in the U.S. – witness the runaway success of Mark Bittner’s The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill in book and film format. As we at TGF like to say, “You can take the parrot out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of the bird!” Whether discussing parrot behavior, nutrition, vocalizations, foraging or the problems of feral parrots, this homily carries a profound truth. Parrots are not just in peril in their indigenous countries – they face many hardships in their daily lives beyond life as a companion pet. TGF is often called upon to help birds in dire situations or in need of immediate intervention. This story is different, and the success of the resolution to preserve these birds’ lives is due to the actions of many teachers and learners.
Happy Holidays – Truly a Season to Share
Here’s a brief synopsis of the Yakolt Quaker “problem” from current resources:
1. Clark County, WA contracted to have several large Quaker parakeet nests destroyed when an electric power outage occurred due to interefence from the birds’ nesting materials surrounding the transformers. Early this week, three of the 40-60 Quaker parakeets were captured and euthanized by CO2. When managed properly, euthanasia by this method is considered to be quick and humane according to the veterinary community. Public protest was rapid and vocal. The press picked up the humane interest story, and the birds had a ready stream of defenders. Some townsfolk of Yakolt were outraged at the PUD’s actions, and as of Wednesday evening, November 28, the remaining Quakers won a reprieve from further destruction.
2. Many people physically close to the Yakolt Quakers have intervened on behalf of the birds and a variety of resources have been employed. If you would like more information on this situation, visit these links:
Kgw.com_112807_news story
Columbian.com News story
Friendsofanimals.org
http://www.brooklynparrots.com/labels/USDA.html
http://www.edgewaterparrots.com/
http://www.fosterparrots.com/QuakerNestingPlatform.pdf
3. Populations of wild Quakers in many U.S. states are considered to be an invasive, non-native species. Visit The Quaker Parakeet Society, http://www.qp-society.com/QPSmain/QPSindex.html. These birds are considered illegal pets in some states, and are considered pests in other states.
4. This additional history on the present situation is direct information provided to the public courtesy of Clark Co. Public Utilities District, 09:24 AM PST on Tuesday, November 27, 2007:
Frequently asked questions about reliable electric service and Monk Parakeets in Yacolt
Q: Why are the nests and birds being removed from power poles in Yacolt?
A: The nests threaten electric service reliability in Yacolt, and if left alone could spread to other areas of Clark County. The birds are known to multiply rapidly (they can double in number every two-to-five years). Four years ago there were two birds and no nests in Yacolt. About two years ago there were two nests. Utility crews removed the nests, and hoped the birds would move on. They didn’t. Today, there are five nests and an estimated 30-50 birds. Clark Public Utilities has researched this issue for more than two years and come to the difficult conclusion that the only responsible solution is the removal of the nests and the birds.
Q: Why aren’t the nests just relocated?
A: Relocation has been attempted in Yacolt and in other areas and has been unsuccessful. The birds are believed to be “imprinters,” that is if they are reared on a pole with a transformer they will have a very strong desire to always live on a pole with a transformer. If the nest is removed, they come back and build a new nest on the same equipment or they will spread to other poles with transformers but not likely to move to a tree or other structure.
Q: Who is removing them?
A: Clark Public Utilities has contracted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, which specializes in removal of non-native species. Private electrical contractors will assist the USDA.
Q: How are they being removed?
A: After dark when the birds have returned to the nests, the transformers will be turned off. Doing so causes the birds to leave the nests and when they do so, they will be captured in nets. The nests will be removed and the birds will be moved to another location and euthanized using protocols approved by the U.S. Society of Veterinarians. Birds not caught in the nets will be taken using other means.
Q: When will this happen?
A: We hope to remove the nests and birds within the next few weeks before cold weather sets in. There shouldn’t be any eggs or young birds in the nests this time of year.
Q: How large can a Monk Parakeet nest get?
A: Reports from other parts of the United States indicate the nests can be a large as a small car, weighing up to 2,400 pounds and house as many as 40 birds. This weight presents a serious threat to the electric system, as well as to the health and safety of people on the ground and utility workers who must work on the equipment.
Q: What are the dangers of these nests?
A: These birds have a tendency to build huge nests around electrical equipment. It’s believed they like the warmth of electrical transformers, particularly in this area. As the nests get larger, they can completely surround the electrical equipment, causing short circuits that result in power outages, and in some cases, fires. The added weight also poses a jeopardy. Replacing equipment and restoring power can cost thousands of dollars from a single outage. Parakeet feces may also contain diseases know to cause problems for people.
Q: Why are the birds being removed too?
A: The birds are being removed as well as the nests, because they will simply return and build a new nest in the same location. These birds have a life span of 15-30 years, and they multiply rapidly. Each pair of birds can produce 5-12 eggs annually that hatch in about 24-30 days. In Florida, where there has been a serious monk parakeet problem for several years, it’s expected the population of these birds could increase by 1,400 percent in the next 10 years.
Q: Are Monk Parakeets native to the area?
A: No. They are native to South America. They were introduced to North America in the 1960s when they were imported for the pet trade.
Q: How did these birds get here?
A: They were most likely either intentionally or accidentally released by someone who had them as pets.
Q: Why are the nests removed at night?
A: The birds leave the nests during the day, and return in the evening. By waiting until late at night we have the best chance of capturing the largest number of birds. This is also likely to be the least disruptive for our customers.
Q: Are there eggs in the nests?
A: No. We have selected this time of year for removal of the nests and birds because no eggs are present.
Q: Will zoos take them?
A: No. We have contacted zoos in Washington and Oregon and they have no interest in the birds.
Q: Are Monk Parakeets in a protected class?
A: State and federal laws do not protect these birds. While it is legal to own them as pets, there are no regulations governing capture and removal of the birds or the nests. Laws do require them to be handled humanely, which will be done.
Q: Have other utilities experienced this problem?
A: Yes. The problem has been most severe in southern Florida where Florida Power & Light has wrestled with the issue for years. In 2001, the company says a conservative estimate is that power outages caused by the parakeets and their nests amounted to $585,000, and a conservative cost to remove all of the nests -- then numbering about 1,100 -- was $1.6 million.
5. Quaker parakeets have successfully established nests and colonies in urban environments throughout the U.S. and parts of Europe. In colder climates, these nests have been built utilizing transformer poles. In addition to their height, it is suggested that the parakeets select these locations because the transformer poles emit warmth.
6. In the recent past, a small population of wild Quakers built a successful nest on a transformer pole in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) contacted a company specializing in environmental issues and CSU elected to pursue action that did not involve destroying the birds. According to EDM,the environmental specialist company,
“In Texas, Reliant Energy initiated a program where they removed monk parakeet nests along with prefledgling birds. They sold the young parrots and then donated the proceeds to cancer research. That was a few years ago. However, this did not solve their problem as the adult birds recolonized the same structures.
EDM was involved in the Colorado Springs monk parakeet nesting problem. After the birds caused a transformer fire which burned up the top of a pole, we were asked to capture the birds. We captured the birds and they were transferred to the local zoo. Since we removed all the birds (just one nest), the City has not had any more nesting problems.
It is also important to note that some utilities have removed nests because they can create an attractive nuisance. People have entered electrical substations trying to capture birds, only to end up electrocuting themselves.”
7. Because of the potential for humans to be injured should a Quaker parakeet retrieval be initiated, utility companies must be extremely diligent in whatever course of action is taken regarding the birds and public service announcements due to the public’s reaction and possible action to intervene.
8. More from a local group, update from A Place 2 Fledge, (www.aplace2fledge.com) posted on11/30/2007
At this point we have spoken to:
The PUD
The mayor
The US Fish and Game Dept
The US Dept of Agriculture
The WA state Dept of Agriculture
Everyone agrees at this point that killing the Quakers is not in their or the Quakers’ best interest, bad karma not to mention bad publicity! Their excuse was the zoo wouldn't take them and they didn't have any other options. At this point after the news coverage, well let's just say they are overflowing with options and none of them involve harming the birds.
The primary interest is in keeping the power on and not having repeated interruptions to the power grid, an understandable goal for everyone concerned.
We gave them options, lots of them, and at this point they are willing to try any one or all of them. They now understand that harming the birds is NOT one of the options available to them. They are keenly aware that they are being watched and have no interest in further stirring up the Quakers or the public.
They are open to the idea of the nesting platforms and they were very willing to take information about behavioral patterns of Quakers from us. They were really dealing with something they clearly did not understand. The good news is they are trainable..........the people I mean!! They now have a list in place of people, organizations and resources available to them and at their disposal to help them make good educated decisions.
Capturing the Quakers is a last resort and not even on the table at this point, we did discuss the possibility somewhere down the road but only if all other options fail. They aren't the first community to be inhabited by a flock of feral Quakers and they won't be the last either. There are many towns living in harmony with Quaker populations that can serve as examples to Yacolt, and everyone we talked to is interested in setting a good example as well. They know they made a mistake, they themselves are not happy with how they handled it.
The interesting thing is how they underestimated the intelligence of these Quakers. Those of us who own them may make that mistake once or twice but we soon learn just how smart and resourceful these little green goblins can be. The men who went up in the bucket trucks to destroy the nests and "capture" the birds learned a hard lesson they won't soon forget, let's just say they will be "licking" their wounds for some time to come. They now have a very healthy respect for the nesting habits of Quakers. They underestimated the territorial nature of these birds and have no intention of doing that again.
They are open to the nesting platforms, however, it isn't just simply a matter of offering them an alternate nesting platform. The Quakers are "choosing" to build their nests near the transformers because they are warm. These birds are smart and resourceful, they are determined to survive and thrive in their environment by any means necessary. So in order for them to give up on nest building on transformers, they don't need "another" option they need a "better", more attractive option. They need to weigh their options and seek out a nesting location that is superior to the transformers.
In order for this to happen two things must occur, the transformers need to appear less inviting and attractive and trees and platforms need to become more inviting and attractive as nest options. So, right now the nests have been removed, they understand that the birds WILL without a doubt come back to rebuild, in fact they are counting on it. They are forming regular checks of the transformers with the plan to pull down and remove any nest they see under construction. This constant disruption of their nesting work makes the transformer location appear less and less appealing. While at the same time the birds are provided with trees and platforms and nesting materials in locations that will be undisturbed and the nest building can occur uninterrupted.
Everyone understands this is not a quick fix and they are prepared to diligently remove any and all nests under construction not allowing the massive nests to be completed which will avoid the power interruptions in the first place, which meets their primary goal.
At this point in time there is only one guy that is out there alone wanting to catch these birds and try to turn them into house pets, he is not working or collaborating with our group effort at this time and is operating on his own agenda, his name is The Bird Man. If they can live in the community they have chosen for themselves in peace and harmony with the human occupants, then all the better for everyone. The people of Yacolt don't have to reinvent the wheel they just have to follow the examples of all the other communities already living in peace with Quakers.
We know that the Quaker story isn’t over. Neither is the eventual conundrum of future man vs. nature predicaments. But, it’s so important for us to realize that a keen understanding of parrots in the wild has a priceless value about how we must learn to care for parrots in captivity or in unexpected environmental situations like the birds in Yakolt presently face. These Quaker parakeets are facing conflict with humans directly as a result of human actions; in this case originally importing parrots into the U.S. and the diverse consequences this one act generated. Myths and truths abound about how these parrots came to be living in the wild. Whether feral, free or living in our homes – we owe them the best we can provide as the present stewards of this Earth.
“Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it. You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.” – Antoine de St. Exupery
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