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The
rowdy and charming flock of cherry-headed conures known as The
Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
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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