Parrots

I saw an interesting and entertaining documentary over the weekend called "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill." It's about a flock of birds not native to San Franciso that somehow has made their home there. Did they escape from a transport ship? Get released from someone's apartment or pet store? No one is sure, but year after year, the flock grows with only the occasional hawk or cat posing a danger to them. The film works on two levels. We get to learn a little about these red-headed birds and see their individual personalities. We are also introduced to an offbeat ex-musician, Mark Bittner, who feeds these birds and sometimes brings a sick one to the home he lives in, somehow rent-free. We see his joy of watching a baby taking its first flight and his sadness when a bird dies. One tip, if you rent the movie, be sure to watch the "flock update" extra. Otherwise you're left hanging about what happens to a few of the birds. This info should have probably just been included in the movie.