Parrots in Apache Junction

During our walk on Christmas Day we spotted a flock of 8-10 colourful small parrots in a local neighbourhood. We went back today to find them again and take pictures to see if we could identify them. Wondered if they are native? or escaped pet birds?

Here's what we found:

The Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) is a small (6"), colourful parrot which is a popular cage bird in the U.S. and elsewhere. Since at least the mid-1980s, feral flocks of this species have been reported breeding in residential neighborhoods of the greater Phoenix area. Most exotic species that escape do not survive long in the wild and fewer still establish breeding populations in non-native habitats. However, over the past decades, populations of these lovebirds have increased and expanded and they have become regular city park and backyard visitors in this part of the world.

In this photo you can see the group in their colourful plumage 

- even glimpses of the bright blue on their backs under their wings!

What you can't hear is their noisy chattering that attracted us 

to their presence in the first place!


P.S. There is one surviving (of two) native Arizona parrot



Thick-billed Parrot