As I strolled through my suburban neighborhood on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I expected to see cardinals, chickadees, sparrows, and goldfinches in the trees—I had no idea that I would also encounter a brightly colored tropical bird.
I first saw the bird as a flash of brilliant blue, when it flew from a bird feeder on a back porch to a nearby tree. I love the blue colors of the Eastern Bluebirds, but this was an entirely different shade of blue. Initially the bird was in the shade and I tried to figure out what it was from its shadowy shape, but I was stumped, because it didn’t seem to have a bill.
When I circled around and got a better look, I could see that it was a blue parakeet. What was a parakeet doing outdoors in Northern Virginia? Had it recently escaped from one of the nearby townhouses? Can it survive for long outside?
I did a little research on the internet and learned that the birds we know as parakeets are more technically known as Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). In the wild, they live in parts of Australia and are naturally green and yellow. In captivity, they have been bred to have different colors, like the electric blue of this one. Judging from the brown color of the cere (the waxy structure that covers the base of the bill), this appears to be a female.
I’ll keep my eyes open to see if I can spot this beautiful bird again. Meanwhile, I will post the photos in the Facebook group of my homeowners’ association and see if I can learn from others how long this bird has been living in the wild.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Now that’s an odd find, great shots..:-)
I think I’d be testing the strength of my soda pop..
You have sharp eyes. What a great find and a perfect picture.
Thanks. I think it was mostly good fortune in being at the right place at the right time, but I was happy to be able to take advantage of the opportunity (though I am a bit worried about the survival of what was almost certainly someone’s pet).
I have never heard of budgies living in the wild! In Surrey in the UK there have been parakeets living in the wild for at least 30 years and they are expanding their range. They originated from escaped birds. Now to find out if your budgie is part of an escaped colony or someone’s lost pet.
I’ve heard of large flocks of feral parakeets in Florida but I didn’t know they were moving north. That’s a pretty one that reminds me of my grandmother’s favorite.
My feeling is that it’s an escapee. Hope your postings help to reunite it with its people!
I posted to the Facebook page of my Homeowner’s Association, but haven’t heard any info yet about a lost parakeet. I too am pretty sure it is an escapee.
We have lots of green parakeets over here, but I’ve never seen one like this! Nice find & nice photos, Mike!
I would guess it is someone’s pet, as suggested above. I don’t know how these bird would fare in your winters, but I’m sure they would find plenty to eat in an urban or suburban backyard. They might not be too savvy about avian predators though.
Awesome sighting to say the least!
such a beauty!