This is what occupies my heart these days -- the African lovebirds are back for real. The flock has grown quite a bit. The most I've counted at our feeders is 25 at one time. And they were mostly the greens and blues. Adding Yellow bird's family to that would make it about 30 birds. Maybe more.
I recently found a wild bird forum where I read these birds referred to as "feral lovebirds". Heh. I always thought of feral as worse than wild. Snarling beasty. But I guess it just means wild... no longer pets. I can't imagine how anybody could have the heart to cage these beautiful birds. They're so amazing to wake up to - the tree is right outside my bedroom window and they squawk and talk to each other in the most horrible amazing racket. :)
A few pics here, more on Flickr.
This one was a surprise! One little parakeet is surviving on his own. He does seem to like to hang around with these two blues. Click for larger views of these pics.
Evidence that they're breeding and not just gathering stray birds? There are 2 (maybe 3) new birds this year that are green and yellow mottled:
