Edgewater Bird Group Fights To Protect Monk Parakeets
April 01, 2007

Mother nature never intended on having tropical birds living in New Jersey, but, don't tell that to the Monk Parakeets living in Edgewater. NY1’s Joe Malvasio filed the following report on the birds and the people looking to protect them.

Over-development isn't just a human problem on River Road. Some little green birds also really know how to make themselves at home.

The tropical birds have been nesting in and around Edgewater for about twenty years. The birds are Monk Parakeets, and they’re native to Argentina, not New Jersey.

“There are many urban myths surrounding how they got here. The most feasible is the fact that a crate of them in JFK Airport inadvertently opened and the birds were released into the wild,” says Alison Evans-Fragale.

The wilds of Edgewater. Evans-Fragale – who is nicknamed “Parakeet Ali” – offers free tours to bird enthusiasts, and more recently is fighting to have the state recognize the Monk Parakeets place in the community.

“We're fighting to get the birds taken off the list of potentially dangerous species,” she says.

A list they share with black bears and poisonous viper snakes.

“The DEP was concerned that they might harm crops and that they might drive away indigenous bird species, and we have enough information now to know that isn't true,” says Evans-Fragale.

Besides nesting in trees, the birds also tend to cozy up to PSEG transformers.

“They’re afraid that they may interrupt service,” says Evans-Fragale.

The parakeets are removed from transformers by PSEG on a regular basis, but according to the tour group, the birds simply wait for the PSEG trucks to leave and build their nests again.

“Until the birds are taken off that list of dangerous species, we can't do anything, because we would be fined for $5,000 for each offense,” says Evans-Fragale.

The group has support from the borough, but until the state Senate acts, the Parakeets are left to fend for themselves.

“They’re not harming anyone, and they are just beautiful to watch,” says bird watcher Livia Tedesco.

“I think it is just amazing how mate for life, and how they build these communities and live together,” adds bird photographer Barbara Dilger.

- Joe Malvasio

I've seen the Edegwater parrots; they have numerous huge nests up in the trees; I didn't see any on transformers the day of my visit. The birds are so swift, it would be diffcult for anyone to catch them. Most people passing by don't even notice them.