A flock of Quaker parrots have decided that Coral Springs is a nice place to live and have made this town their home. I first noticed the parrots in 1994 when I was building the then Capital Bank Center, now Union Planters Bank, on the corner of Royal Palm and University Drive. Every day at around 4:00 in the afternoon, these 2 birds would place themselves in one of the royal palms in front of the building. A few minutes of 'braaakkkk' and they would move over to the wax myrtles located in front of the bank near the right of way connecting to Tony Roma's. Here they would stay perched up high, mingling with one another until a gust of wind or a flicker of a twig would set them off heading west over the shopping center across the street.
For years, I have seen them come and go while all the time wondering where they might have come from. I would speculate that maybe they were displaced from the Parrot Jungle that was devastated during Hurricane Andrew. They might have been let loose unsuspectingly by their owners and migrated their way to our city. Perhaps they arrived here as direct descendants of the offspring of those parrots that sailed with the pirates of the Caribbean, and hitched a ride to the shores of Florida. It is easy to daydream and speculate about these beautiful birds as they enjoy the Coral Springs foliage.
Over the years, the parrots numbers have grown. I have counted at least 25 birds now and they are all of the same species. They all have the same coloring and the distinctive white circle around their black pupils. They are very colorful. I believe I still see the original 2 birds. They are older looking and can be seen in the center of the flock. They have ruffled feathers and are always together.
The flock's flight pattern is always the same , or at least I think so. They make their way to the Union Planter's Bank building between 4pm and 5:30 pm every day. During that period of time I have observed that they will either head west over the shopping center or east over the building. It all depends on the weather. If it is cloudy out they will head west. On clear days when they see the sun setting they will head east. More often than not I can rely upon their sense of time. Sometimes when I see these birds, I know what time it is without having to look at my watch.
The Quaker Parrots make their nests behind the police station on Coral Springs drive. The nests can be seen from the street on the large communication tower at the northeast corner of the police station. The birds make a lot of noise and sometimes can be heard from the street. The birds can also be seen in and around the city especially between Sample Road and Royal Palm boulevard.
Myiopsitta Monachus is the name of the species called Quaker Parrots. The birds are originally from South America and have known to make their home in various parts of the United States. (more information to come in this updated article in the future.......)
Although I cannot call myself a true bird watcher, these parrots have definitely caught my eye. They are pleasing to watch and I would gladly share this experience with you. Try to catch a glimpse of them in the late afternoon in front of the Union Planter's Bank building at 2425 University Drive, which is also home to Coralsprings.com. They are a true demonstration of the wonders of this world. They do this town and all of us a great honor.
Here's what I've heard about these birds: Pet stores used to bring them over and breed them for pets. When the bird owners heard how much--and how loudly--they screeched, they were eventually released, as the stores didn't want them back. Now they are thriving in all of South Florida. I've noticed nests in every park in the city. They like very high places so the lights at the baseball fields are perfect. I suppose it's a happy outcome for all concerned! -Jill DeFinis
A flock of Quaker parrots have decided that Coral Springs is a nice place to live and have made this town their home. I first noticed the parrots in 1994 when I was building the then Capital Bank Center, now Union Planters Bank, on the corner of Royal Palm and University Drive. Every day at around 4:00 in the afternoon, these 2 birds would place themselves in one of the royal palms in front of the building. A few minutes of 'braaakkkk' and they would move over to the wax myrtles located in front of the bank near the right of way connecting to Tony Roma's. Here they would stay perched up high, mingling with one another until a gust of wind or a flicker of a twig would set them off heading west over the shopping center across the street. 
For years, I have seen them come and go while all the time wondering where they might have come from. I would speculate that maybe they were displaced from the Parrot Jungle that was devastated during Hurricane Andrew. They might have been let loose unsuspectingly by their owners and migrated their way to our city. Perhaps they arrived here as direct descendants of the offspring of those parrots that sailed with the pirates of the Caribbean, and hitched a ride to the shores of Florida. It is easy to daydream and speculate about these beautiful birds as they enjoy the Coral Springs foliage. 
The flock's flight pattern is always the same , or at least I think so. They make their way to the Union Planter's Bank building between 4pm and 5:30 pm every day. During that period of time I have observed that they will either head west over the shopping center or east over the building. It all depends on the weather. If it is cloudy out they will head west. On clear days when they see the sun setting they will head east. More often than not I can rely upon their sense of time. Sometimes when I see these birds, I know what time it is without having to look at my watch. 
