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The Parrots of Telegraph Hill

Staircase winds down the side of Telegraph Hill through gardens, wild parrots flying overhead

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Category Fascinating Fauna, Eccentric Homes

The wild parrots of Telegraph Hill

The famous Filbert steps, surrounded by lush gardens

Image of The Parrots of Telegraph Hill located in

One generally associates parrots with the jungles of a tropical location, yet living in the middle of urban San Francisco is a flock of wild parrots.

The parrot flock began in 1990 as one pair of escaped birds, which quickly found an ecological niche on telegraph hill, and by 2005 the flock had grown to over 200 wild parrots.

Winding down the hill are the Filbert steps, and residents on both sides of the staircase have wonderful gardens with fragrant flowers. Even when not in bloom, the lush gardens are beautiful. Surrounded by gardens with the wild parrots flying overhead, it is a lovely urban jungle.

The steps are quite exhausting, so be prepared to walk!

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Address Filbert Street, Corner of Filbert Street and Kearny Street on Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, California, United States
Cost $0

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Can be accessed from the top or bottom. The bottom is at Embarcadero, across from the old Levi's plaza, and is not very impressive, but very steep. Can be accessed at the top from Filbert and Kearny, or from Telegraph Hill Blvd.

Comments

Anonymous February 8, 2012

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Anonymous June 15, 2011

I'm not sure if it's posted on here already.. but there are also flocks of green parrots that fly over Eaglerock, Los Angeles and Pasadena... I don't know the true story for sure..but it is rumored that a pet shop burned down
Anonymous August 24, 2009

Do know the flock tends to travel to the Presidio Gate, (Lyon at Lombard Streets), at about 8:00 am every morning. Look for the grove of Eucalyptus trees that parallel Lyon Street and listen for their squawking. The parrots feed on the blossoms and nest in the Canary Island Palms inside the Presidio across from the Letterman/Lucas Digital Center. A little known fact is that if you follow the walkway leading to the Lucas Film offices you will see a bronze statue of Yoda, and a fountain.
Anonymous July 13, 2009

There are similar parrots in the Santa Monica Mountains. They can be seen flying and heard calling overhead as you hike up Sycamore Canyon from the coastline.
Anonymous July 13, 2009

As you walk down the sidewalk you can tilt your head and look at the tree branches a foot or two above your head..and there they are, lovely little green parrots looking right back at you. If you are brave, quick and rather stupid, you could reach up and touch them.
Anonymous June 23, 2009

There is another such flock in Redlands CA, one student spent a summer tracking their flight patters a few years ago, with one Dr. Malcolm. They even had a toll line to call in sightings. It an enormous flock and the local bird refuge denies any involvement.