 |
Mark Bittner
is
the defacto caretaker of The
Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. With no prior experience or training
as an ornithologist, Bittner became an expert on the lively band of Cherry-headed
Conures after observing and participating in the culture of the flock continuously
for six years. His journals are currently being adapted for a book scheduled
for 2003. A documentary film by Judy Irving is also in development. Bittner
was once asked by a reporter how he could tell who's who among the flock.
The answer: by their faces. The reporter was skeptical, but when Bittner
recently returned to Telegraph Hill after an absence of several months,
he says he proved his theory, "As soon as I looked at them I knew, 'There's
Sophie. That's Griffin...' They were happy to see me." |
