An urban myth that has floated around
San Diego for decades, about a pandemonium (or flock) of wild parrots that
escaped a pet store, turns out is mostly true. Though, we don’t know how
San Diego became populated with thousands of parrots (up to 13 different
species!), we do know that since they don’t migrate south for the
winter, you can catch a glimpse of them or hear their distinct squawk all year
round. There are regular sightings in Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and Ocean
Beach. They are also known to flock to the trees at Lindo Lake Park in
Lakeside, about 30 minutes east of Mission Bay.
To learn about this beautiful
creature, you could also volunteer at the Parrot Education and Adoption Center,
a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and educating the public about
these magnificent and highly intelligent birds.
The San Diego Audubon is a helpful
resource for those who enjoy competitive or amateur bird watching. The society
has handy digital maps that tell you exactly where to go for bird watching and
which birds you might spy. There are three listed areas close to MissionBay that you can check out. The rocky shoreline at Ellen Browning Scripps
Park in La Jolla is recommended for the upcoming colder months. The
Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve at Crown Point in the heart of Mission
Bay, is an excellent place to spot gulls, skimmers, and waterfowl. At low
tide, in the morning, the San Diego River Estuary offers hours of ideal time to
spy shorebirds on the mudflats. Check out the Audubon’s website for
stunning shots of birds in flight around San Diego and upcoming events for bird
lovers.
Thanks to the San Diego Zoo and their
sister property the Safari Park (who we highlighted last week), there have been amazing feats in animal conservation, especially with birds.
The California Condor, the largest
flying bird, almost faced extinction, when in 1987 they were declared extinct
in the wild. However, thanks to careful care and breeding, especially at
the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the condor has been reintroduced to the wilds of
Arizona, Utah, California and Baja California. The Native Americans referred to
it as the thunderbird and regarded them as symbols of power, and after one glance at
this magnificent creature, you’ll be sure to know why. When you
visit the Safari Park, be sure to include the Condor on your list of must-see
animals.
The San Diego Zoo is filled with
hundreds of spectacular birds, but our two favorite spots to visit house the
world’s smallest birds, and the one of the oldest bird aviaries in the state.
The San Diego Zoo’s Hummingbird House has been described as entering a fairy
world with the tiny, brilliantly colored birds zooming past you. Photo
ops abound in this quaint little aviary, complete with waterfalls and exotic
plants.
Owens Aviary is one of the oldest exhibits at the San Diego Zoo -
- built in 1937 and remodeled in 1999. There are over 200 birds and 41
different species that fly around the 82 foot tall aviary and frolic through
the trees. Multilevel walkways allow you to snake through the recreated
rainforest, which is home to birds that are native to Southeast Asia. It’s
literally a jungle in there.
For those who might not want to chase
the real thing in nature, there is the ‘Birds of the World’ exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum, in Balboa Park. The exhibit features
breathtaking photographs of birds on every continent and runs through September
13th. Fourteen award-winning wildlife photographers captured these
remarkable images of birds in living their everyday -- yet truly beauteous -- lives.
You won’t want to miss it!
Soaring through the skies of our
great city are some of the most impressive birds in the world. From the
dazzling parrots to the majestic cranes, one can spy these birds in their
natural habitat or volunteer your time towards helping them. Mission Bay Vacation Rentals is smack dab in the center of all the avian-themed action, so why
not plan a bird-themed vacation.
After all, birds of a feather . . .
