Parrot population thriving in cities in California, Texas [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Parrot population thriving in cities in California, Texas

April 2, 2016
|Updated 7:20 p.m.


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In this Wednesday, March 30, 2016 photo, parrots interact at SoCal Parrot, a parrot-rescue center, in Jamul. U.S. researchers are launching studies on Mexico's red-crowned parrot – a species that has been adapting so well to living in cities in California and Texas after escaping from the pet trade that the population may now rival that in its native country.
GREGORY BULL, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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By JULIE WATSON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

crowned parrot – a species that has been adapting so well to living in cities in California and Texas after escaping from the pet trade that the population now may rival that in its native country.

The research comes amid debate over whether some of the birds flew across the border into Texas and should be listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Parrots in U.S. urban areas are just starting to draw attention from scientists because of their intelligence, resourcefulness and ability to adapt.

There is also a growing realization that the city dwellers may offer a population that could help save certain species from extinction.

Parrots are thriving today in cities from Los Angeles to Brownsville, Texas, yet in the tropics and subtropics, a third of all parrot species are at risk of going extinct because of habitat loss and the pet trade.

More:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/birds-710638-texas-parrot.html