Once escapees from the pet trade, Los Angeles's feral parrots have become a vibrant part of city life, and scientists are now unlocking their mysteries. Researchers from Occidental College's Moore Laboratory of Zoology are studying these birds to understand how they have adapted to urban environments, with potential lessons for conservation worldwide.
The parrots, primarily red-crowned parrots, were imported from Mexico and South America during a pet trade peak in the 1970s. Many escaped or were released, and they have since established self-sustaining populations numbering in the thousands across the LA basin. They are now a common sight in neighbourhoods like Pasadena and Malibu, feeding on ornamental plants and facing few predators.
John McCormack, director of the lab, initially dismissed the parrots as non-native escapees but became intrigued after a specimen died colliding with a window. Genetic analysis revealed unexpected interbreeding and adaptation, prompting a broader study. 'You're never going to get all the things back to where they're originally supposed to be,' said Diego Blanco, a research assistant. 'So now it's just kind of like: who knew that this piece from that ecosystem happens to fit in well here?'
The parrots are not considered invasive as they do not compete with native birds for food. A 2019 study found 25 parrot species with self-sustaining populations in 23 US states. The researchers hope their work will inform urban ecology and conservation in the parrots' native homelands.
