Support the Ban on Feeding Parrots

The irony is that although the birds are tame enough to eat from your hand, they are still wild enough to bite as the videos on "you tube" will show.

Once you watch the clips you'll want to contact the S.F. Board of Supervisors and support the amendment to ORDINANCE # 070467
[Prohibiting the Feeding of Red-Masked Parakeets] that would prohibit the daily feedings before a child is seriously bitten.

Video of parrot literally trying to chew on man’s finger off.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AN270GrkrXc

Young girl frightened as parrots continue to fly at her

http://youtube.com/watch?v=R3Zz0qm1srQ

Bird gets ready to bite man’s ear

http://flickr.com/photos/stevewilber/456619345

A man gets bitten in what seems at first a fun activity

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4mtpWSZNfo0


A mob at the Ferry park

http://youtube.com/watch?v=itXWGL4XdJs

Email the Board of Supervisors at board.of.supervisors [at] sfgov.org

Thank you

What diseases do they carry? Your comment could backfire very ugly. Think about it.

Mr. Jonker-
I have read your research as well as that of Dr. South saying that these naturalised species actually depend on human handouts for survival. Have you ever researched the San Francisco flock?
-JK

While searching Youtube I found a recent piece of local media coverage on the NBC station that the previous posted ommitted:

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/05/19/18418498.php

Sorry again, I am such a novice but here is the correct link to NBC's local media coverage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXzqoQQVcEI

Oppose the Ban on feed the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nobanonParrotfeedinginSF/?e

They sometimes carry a worm, whose name begins baylis---something. There is a lot
of food on the ground from the frequent feedings so the rat population is going up
in that park. I often see the rats scurrying across the park. The group likes
to downplay possible bugs that they carry but I notice that many of them
wear hats and gloves. They are not a danger if you are not in contact with
them.

I certainly don't want a comment like that to backfire so tell me how I could
reframe the issue. These birds used to spend most of their time in the
poplar trees and didn't come that close to the human beings. This has all
changed in a year or so. I want to take your comment seriously so you
tell me how I should address the issue. I love these parrots and most
of San Francisco does. But I don't think the city is aware of what is happening
downtown. This is a problem that is just beginning. The supervisors will vote
on May 22 (Tuesday) but more important than whether the ban passes
or not, is that more people be let in on the discussion. Right now the most
organized group involved is the parrot feeders themselves. Their main goal
is to preserve their right to feed the parrots.

I looked into the baylis disease and found that the birds can't transmit it to humans. What other diseases? I think I can hear a backfire now...

In the days when almost all exotic birds were wild caught, a lot of
them died in transit from their native lands (some estimates were 50%
or higher) Still more died in the quarantine stations where they
spent some time after their arrival here and some died shortly after
their final adoption.

Recently I was mentioning to a member of my Yahoo group how sad and
outraged a lot of us were when there was a proposal to ban the
importation of exotic birds from their native lands in the 1990s. "How
dare they stop the importations? How unfair!” some cried. It was quite a controversy with emotions running high on both sides of the issue.

Some lobbied for the ban and some lobbied against it. Others had
mixed emotions because we wanted "our" birds, even though we knew the young were yanked out of their nests before they were even completely weaned.

We knew too the horrible conditions they suffered on their way here and even in the
quarantine stations. We knew because it was shown on TV and it was
written about in all the bird magazines. . And when there were no more babies, even adult birds were caught to the extent that many species are now on the endangered list.

While writing about this on my Yahoo group, I suddenly realized that
the controversy then is not unlike the controversy over the proposed ban on the feeding of
the red masked parakeets in San Francisco that is before the Board today.

Emotions run high on all sides. Some want to feed the birds and interact with them. Others
want the feedings stopped. Others, like me, have mixed emotions, wanting to interact with the parrots yet, at the same time, face to face with the undeniable fact that it may not be in the best interest of the birds to treat them as if they are our pets.

Just as it was back then, lines have been drawn with people on both sides sure they are in the right. Today, just as it was back then both sides are fighting hard to win their argument. Finally, back then imports were banned and the parrots won. I hope they win this one too.

Let the wild birds be wild.

Oppose the ban to feed The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nobanonParrotfeedinginSF/?e
Parrot Crimes?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCRbN4SMVS4
Latest News
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXzqoQQVcEI

If there is a disease found on the parrots that is dangerous to people the authorities might well decide to destroy the whole flock. So if either of the bickering parties here really love these birds I would shut up about any disease threats. Especially on a public forum like this.

As my expert opinion however I think the likelihood of any disease transfer from the parakeets to people is highly improbable and not an issue in this discussion.

So what you might like to do is remove all references of it from this medium.

Cheers,

Roelant

Why would I support a ban proposed by biggots?
Support the ban, so that Mr.Widnal stops being weak and can only be stopped feeding the flock himself, on almost daily basis, by lawmakers? Is this what it will take to give you courage to stop, Mr.Widnal?
Support this ban and have only Mr.Bittner be the sole feeder of this flock? Because, apparently, he hasn't stopped feeding these birds in his back yard!
Support Mr.Bittner in his effort to make hundreds of thousands of dollars using these birds for his own gain and as far, as is known to me, never having done anything for the betterment of this flock....

No study was or is provided to say that feeding is bad for these parrots.
No study is forthcoming about diseases relevant to this flock, relevant to stopping the feedings.
Nothing of proof has been set forth to show any theft of these parrots.

Maybe's, what if's, possibly's are all that is being provided as solid proof that the feeding of this flock has any bad effect on it, so please ask yourselves, why should this ban be passed, only in order to enrich one person and give courage to another? Xmmm...

Mr. Bantov. When you feed the birds from your mouth do you then go to the restaurant you own and taste the food you serve your cutomers? Do you then handle food that is served to your customers in your restaurant with the same two hands that the birds relieve themselves on? Do you wear gloves when you feed the birds to protect your restauant customers, because I've never seen you wear gloves like some people do when they feed the birds.

Do you kiss someone with that same mouth and tongue from which you feed the birds? Just asking.

I have read that people are trying to keep the crowds at the park down to a minimum to protect the parrots. If that is true why is there a video on "YOU TUBE" inviting people to go there to feed the birds every night by these very same people who claim to "love" them?

Mr. Bantov. When you feed the birds from your mouth do you then go to the restaurant you own and taste the food you serve your cutomers?
***When I feed the birds from my mouth and then go back to work, where I am a MANAGER of the restaurant and not the owner (fact #1 you are wrong on), I happen to thoroughly WASH my hands at least twice, then I proceed to brush my teeth with a toobrush I have, just for this purpose, then I brush my hair, since I wear a hat to the feeding. Appearance and cleanliness are number one with me at the restaurant, that is why I wear designer suits and I must say, look very presentable at my place of work!
Now then, I understand that since you must be at least 2 to 3 HUNDRED years old (or older), food tasters were primarely used to taste if food was poisoned or not, prior to a noble person eating said food. I also have to remind you (since it must be your age and you might have forgotten what I just wrote above) I must remind you, that I was hired as a manager of a business, NOT a FOOD TASTER, prior to a customer getting their food on the table, thus I have no need, nor is it in my job description to taste aformentioned food!


Do you then handle food that is served to your customers in your restaurant with the same two hands that the birds relieve themselves on?
***Oh, but Madame, the owners of the restaurant have hired waiters to do that job, nor is it in my job description to serve said food too any customer!
Besides, Ma'am, did you just call me a toilet?

Do you wear gloves when you feed the birds to protect your restauant customers, because I've never seen you wear gloves like some people do when they feed the birds.
***Madame, if I am at the park, I am there strictly feeding the birds, NOT any wayward customers who have spotted me there and expect me to bring them food and have it served a la carte in the park, as much as it may seem romantic to you or them, THAT is also not in my job description!
I have distaste for gloves at any given time.
Also, please, present yourself to me next time you are at the park, since you seemed to have paid so much attention to my humble person and know who I am, so as to ask any questions you may have, which can be answered in person by me and this would also be known as curtesy in any age prior to 1960's.

Do you kiss someone with that same mouth and tongue from which you feed the birds?
***Ofcourse I do and I expect the same from the person I kiss! I also prefer oral sex to intercourse, more to give, rather than receive. I also trust, that you will keep this comment confidential and not make it public, because it would be embarassing and I am not used to sex surveys!...That is why you asked me about my using the tongue, while kissing, is it not?

Just asking.
***But ofcourse! I am used to interviews.

Cordially yours.
Alex Bantov.

Why is there a video on "YOU TUBE" inviting people to go there to feed the birds every night by these very same people who claim to "love" them?
***Since I am here, I will respond, so please, indulge me.
As far as I understand, abridging the freedom of speech is not permited in this country, no?

Why do I find internet filled with posts and links and references and video links and mugs with parrots on them for sale, by a certain Nancy Brudigam, who has left no video or post unanswered and urged people, most of whom are not from San Francisco, to look into the issue of the ban, thus creating so much more awarness of the flock? Why ask why?
The person, as far as I understand from that video (who is not associated with the regular feeders) I believe is simply outraged by the proposed ban and is simply reacting to it, but why would you ask that here, imstead of writing to the person whi has made that video and asking that person directly, unless you are just trying to incite crowds?

I also must inquire, why is it that I use my real name here, but a certain Ann Vergara seems like a pseudonim?...or am I being paranoid?

Dear Alex,
I don't think your being "paranoid" at all! MS. Ana( not real name,I'm sure) seems to know alot of what goes on at the park, and every where else, like your resterant...basically, a busybody trying to divert people from the real issue...And a nasty busybody at that!
Oppose the ban
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nobanonParrotfeedinginSF/?e

I wear gloves when I feed the birds because otherwise I end up with superficial scratches from the bird's claws. And I wear a hat because I don't like to have to clean poop out of my hair. Nothing to do with disease. As others have said, that is a non-issue.

Boy Nancy!!!! I didn't know you could sink THIS LOW!!! A simple google search shows you are (deceased)Chuck VERGARA's sister!!!! Jeeze, talk about a internet troll...being so NASTY and not even having the guts to use your own name!SHAME ON YOU!!!!

Oppose the Ban to Feed the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nobanonParrotfeedinginSF/?e

...I thought I was responding to a real person, with a real name, not a pseudonim using internet bot...
Pity.

"So what you might like to do is remove all references of it (disease) from this medium."

The "real issue" is that over feeding causes over breeding such as what's happened with pigeons. Overbreeding causes over crowding such as what's happend to pigeons. Overcrowding causees disease such as what's happen to the pigeons.

There were approximate 20 parrots when Mark Bittner fed them. There are now an estimate of 200. We will soon be overrun with parrots and pigeons. How long will it be before there are so many that the city will not only put a ban on feeding them, they will look to exterminate them. All because a few people in the park insisted on continuing to feed them, "cuz it's fun".

Congratulations feeders. You have sealed their doom with your video inviting more people to the park in your wonderful video. You should be sooo very proud of yourselves.

The more accurate count of the flock stands at 150, for a flock that's been around since 1984. Several experts have told us that red-masked parakeets are not good breeders and require specific conditions to breed successfully. Many of those conditions are difficult to meet in this city. An expert who studied this flock (not Mr. Bittner) has told us that the flock population is very stable. The intake of food that each bird gets today would seem to be less than when Mr. Bittner fed 30 birds 3-5 times a day, nothing but sunflower seeds. Many people now feed the birds apples.

Nancy, if you continue to say that these birds are overpopulating then I think you also run the risk of having your arguement backfire against you. Keep bringing this to the attention of the city and see how they respond, when they decide, becuase of your complaints, to cull the flock.

Furthermore, Nancy, you continue to attribute the You Tube video to the "regulars", who had nothing to do with it. Why don't you ask the person who posted the video who he is, instead of continuing to blame us for it? We have contacted him and asked him to remove any info about the location of the park or time that the parakeets are there. I'm surprised you didn't already do this, since you claim to be interested in the well being of the birds. You also continue to frequently and widely publicize other You Tube videos regarding feeding the parakeets to try to make your points - so you seem to be doing your utmost to let the public know all about these parakeets and where to feed them - shame on you!

Julie, I warned your group of "regulars" about posing for pictures and videos did I not? And your group made light of it. Jeff (a regular) and the lady talking about how her group "rescues" the birds is a regular. The blond in the video is a regular. Funny no mention of Mickaboo who does the real rescuing of sick birds.

You regulars keep posing for pictures and then say you have nothing to do with them when they are plastered all over the internet. Sorry, my dear, you cannot have it both ways. Even a lawyer should know that.

here's some shots from earlier this year of those who feed the parrots

Here's how I was made fun of for warning the "regular feeders" as they call themselves, about posing for photos.

Post 293

The photos are gated behind Yahoo Groups, they don't
appear in search engine results and only about 30 people in the world
have access to them.

Jeff

Post 670

Jeff there are photos all over the web of the "feeders" in this
group. Regardless of what you may think of me and the "publicity" I'm
generating, I think you have to admit that posing for photos was
probably not the best idea and I would hope that if the ban doesn't
pass and this group continues the feedings, at least you won't pose
for pictures that will surely find there way to all the sites I
previously mentioned and those I haven't mentioned.

Nancy

Post 671

Nancy People stop by there all the time with their cameras .
We were told that tour bus drivers point out the park .
The people on this list are not posting most of the photos on
public forums.

Mike Reed

Post 672


They pose for the cameras

Nancy

Post 673

Actually I was thinking about bringing a baseball bat and using it on the parrot paparazzi that try to take my picture . Or at least the cameras .

Mike Reed

Post 674

Yes, the other day an elderly couple from Idaho tried to photograph me
with the birds but I was able to quickly bang their heads together and
then smash the camera with the old man's walker.

Jeff

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wildparrotfeeders

And now you claim you had nothing to do with the video inviting people to the park. But who's in that video? Posing and showing off for the cameras as if they are celebrities? Not Mark who you blame for this whole mess. Not Jennifer who was slammed on your Yahoo group. Not Bill also slammed by your group. And not me who you are still slamming.

Those who live in glass houses shouldn't make videos.

"I didn't know you could sink THIS LOW!!! A simple google search shows you are (deceased)Chuck VERGARA's sister!!!! "

Excuse me? I used my maiden name simply because your group keeps harrassing me. I thought I could avoid your attacks if I used my maiden name. I didn't know you were stalking me.

Furthermore, I only just recently lost my brother to leukemia. How low do YOU have to get to bring up my dead brother's whom you never knew and who never hurt a fly in his life?

It doesn't take a Google search to realize what kind of person uses someone dead relatives to bash them with. Rather than just throw my dead brother's name in my face, maybe you'd like to dig his grave up and throw his bones at me too. You sick, sick little girl.

Just thought I'd share this photo with you since Alex is so proud of it as he feeds the birds off his tongue.

...is that most of these people reveling in the birds eating off of their tongues and sitting on their arms -- thinking they are enjoying a Franciscan or Dr. Dolittle one-with-the-animals moment -- probably go home right after feeding the parrots and eat a chicken or turkey dinner. odds are this irony never even occurs to them, like when they wake up in the morning, pet their dog, and then eat bacon

Your hate bating, bickering, low blow attacks on people will NOT involve me! I have stayed away from commenting on your idiocy, while you were spuing your hate at the groups' home on Yahoo and since I had no idea who I was responding to here at first, I certainly will NOT engage you here then, because you are a hatefull, self indulging person, who hides behind nicknames, pseudonims and your age!
Good bye!

Geez Alex, get a grip. Anger is bad for the digestion?

I must admit, Nancy is right when she says that Bill doesn't pose for pictures.

First of all, I HAVE contacted the creator of the video asking him to remove references to the location of the park as well as the invitation for people to feed the birds. I have also contact the "regular" feeders asking them, once again, to STOP POSING FOR PHOTOS.

Their claim that they had nothing to do with the video is so lame that if it wasn't so sad it would be funny. THEY POSED FOR THE VIDEO! THE PERSON IN THE VIDEO MUGS FOR THECAMERA. . SHE HAS OTHER PHOTOS IN FLICKR. SHE HAS MORE PICTURES ON FLICKR THAN ANYONE.

To say those who pose for the photos have no responsibility is the same as giving someone a gun and claiming later you didn't know he was going to kill someone with it. In a court of law you'd be prosecuted as an assessory.

Furthermore, I have never mentioned Bill at all, let alone say he didn't pose for pictures. I said I didn't pose for pictures. I DIDN'T POSE FOR PICTURES IS WHAT I SAID. I speak for no one other than myself.

Obviously the person who accused me of saying Bill did not pose for pictures KNOWS they are lying because if they weren't LYING, they would be proud of their post and use their name, but they don't use their name, because that person is too much of a COWARD to use their own name as it will reveal them to be a liar. SHOW ME THE POST WHERE I SAID BILL DID NOT POSE FOR PICTURES. EVEN IF I SAID IT, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE I DID, I DO NOT FOLLOW BILL AROUND; SO IN TRUTH I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER HE POSES FOR PICTURES OR NOT. I DO KNOW THE PICTURE YOU SHOW IS NOT A RECENT ONE AND THAT IS ALL I KNOW ABOUT BILL.

Try sticking to the subject of the parrot feedings. Whether pro or con I'm willing to discuss it, but it does take some intelligence to have a discussion. Trashing me just shows you have no real argument for continuing the feedings.

Any "trashing" I have done has been in self defense. It goes like this. You start trashing me, you shouldn't be surprised if I respond in kind.

I thought I would answer you all at once to save space.

To "no name", I never said Bill did not pose for pictures. I never mentioned his name at all. I met the man only once and do not follow him around. Therefore I don't have any info on what he does or doesn't do.

It's difficult to reply to someone when they don't use their name. I guess when you tell a lie you don't want your name attached to it.

To Laura, I always used my real name. Vergara is my real name. It is the name I was born with. Ann is my middle name. Brudigam is my married name, I only use Brudigam because of legal papers and the difficulty of changing everything, but both names are REAL and I can use either one LEGALLY, and yes I have a dead brother named Charles. I have other dead brothers and sisters since I come from a large family and I am the youngest. Maybe you'd like to bring all of them up? I don't know what it has to do with feeding birds so what would be the reason for bringing it up may I ask?

Maybe just to be cruel. I can't think of any other reason. Tell you what, I'll save you the trouble of Googling me again. Here are the rest of the names. My parents, Samuel and Loreto Vergara, Dead. Sam Vergara Jr., dead, Jennie Vergara, dead. Theresa Vergara, dead. My son, William Brudigam Jr., dead. My son died when he was only 3 years old from cancer back when they knew a lot less about it. I'm sure you're dancing in glee that I have suffered the death of a son, brothers and sisters as well as parents. Otherwise why would you bring it up?

I also have Aunt's and Uncles and cousins that are dead, but there are too many to name. When you are the youngest of a large family you wind up outliving them. I'm sure this info is not interesting to most, but Laura brought it up so I hope I have satisfied your lust for the macabre, Laura my friend.

...to learn of your losses, my condolences!

....Please, spare me at least, the grief of your personality, your bitterness and your primadonna presence.

It's official. Supervisors voted 10 to 1 to ban feeding of red masked parakeets in S.F.

No apology necessary. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. That's why I am stronger than those who lost their cool. See?

You should read more carefully. The one time I mentioned Bill was in reference to the video inviting people to "come feed the parrots everyday at 5:30" which your group claims they had nothing to do with. My post clearly refers to that video and nothing else reiterating that Neither Mark, Bill, Jennifer or myself are IN THE VIDEO. I never said he didn't post on flickr, which obviously he did. So did your group. Lots and lots of times.

"But who's in that video? Posing and showing off for the cameras as if they are celebrities? Not Mark who you blame for this whole mess. Not Jennifer who was slammed on your Yahoo group. Not Bill also slammed by your group. And not me who you are still slamming."

I would also point out that while Laura slams me for using my REAL name, she NEVER gives her last name so she makes sure nobody can Google her or know who she really is. What is SHE hiding by hiding behind first name only posts?

Dear William,
I can understand what you are saying with regard to the danger of feeding wild conures or even pet conures since I had one. So in this way I agree, it is only a matter of time some child or person gets bitten and the conures may recieve a death sentance. However, I do believe what you did for this lovely unintended gift of cherry headed conures wasn't wrong. San Francisco does not have the appropriate types of food for these conures to survive. I have been contacted through the years by the Audabon Society regarding the starvation of birds due to climate changes etc. They ask even city dwellers to do their best to help feed wild birds. I have seen through the years anywhere from 35 or so Parrots drop down to 10 or less. We have no clay that I am aware of for the parrots to protect their bodies from certain seeds that are poisoness. Recently when they repaired the Palace of Fine Arts, instead of outright killing all the pigeons they brought in Falcons to do the job. "And what a good job they are doing". Every week I see one of them with a pigeon in their claws ripping it apart for all to see. How long do you think the parrots are going to survive???? I love birds and clearly you do too! But I see how severly the bird population from finches to sparrows has dropped to less the a quarter from two years ago. I believe that God may have sent you your new life for the gift you gave to the parrots of San Francisco. We need to find a middle ground, and I hope you will try and think about what this could be. They need help, this is not their climate and they don't have enough food resources. People have become so cold when it comes to wildlife, forgetting that most diseases they develope is due to our own inability to be unclean especially in cities. We have no fountains in our parks for them to clean themselves yet we have lots and lots of parks. Pigeons are suffering because they live in certain areas and it depends on what is available, water is not. But I digress. William, just ignoring the parrots most likely will cause them to become extinct. I would hate to see such a gift dissapear because of short term goals. Life is not black and white as you know it's very grey. Remember what they did for you and hopefully the solution can be better than you will be fined if caught feeding the Parrots of San Francisco. Maybe feeding stations where people can watch them and can donate fruits and vegetables and some seed for the cold winters ahead. Again, I do not feel you made a mistake, you helped when no one else could or would. We need to remember how best to help our wildlife live since we continue to take from them where they have no place to feed. I love this city and I love all the birds and they do need our help (at least in the city).
Sincerely,
Brenda McLaughlin