In August 1967 a shipment of wild Quaker Parrots were accidentally released at the JFK, NY airport. Many of the quaker parrots managed to breed and live on. Quaker parrots exhibit semi-migratory patterns and have been know to travel long distances within the U.S.
Since the release (also noted as "the great escape"), thousands of quaker parrots have been seen in cities all around the United States.
Quaker parrots can be found in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York (Brooklyn), New Jersey, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Chicago, Massachusetts, Virginia and Oregon.
Many U.S. citizens are often surprised to find quaker parrots (typically a tropical bird) in the most unexpected places.
Atop telephone phone poles
Playing in the snowy city park
"The
Great Escape" as this incident is sometimes called has allowed the
spread of a tropical bird into thousands of environments the bird was
originally suited for.
However the birds have adapted and are now thriving all over the states.
Quakers are extremely intelligent creatures and have found ways to survive.