Comments on: Thick-billed Parrots: My First Encounter

By: Doug @ El Paso Zoo

Doug @ El Paso Zoo — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:41:57 +0000

I happened across your blog while looking up thick bills online. Our recently introduced pair of thick billed parrots, Rica and Pete, have recently laid an egg. It is very late in the year for them to do so, but we will see what happens. I am glad you’re doing good work in the field to study the effect of disease on their population. Keep up the good work, oh and I hear stuffing fresh pine needles in your socks at night can help a bit with that 2, 3, sometimes 4 day old “aroma”.

By: Simon Anthony

Simon Anthony — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:35:39 +0000

Yes, they do look somewhat like the parrots in El Cajon! Follow this link for more information on the local red-crowned parrots:

By: Heather

Heather — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:14:54 +0000

Those parrots look an awful lot like the flock flying around El Cajon…. are they a related bird?

By: Janie Prim

Janie Prim — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:28:55 +0000

So GREAT to hear what you are doing, Simon! Have thought of you regularly–and thoroughly enjoyed reading your wonderful blog!!

By: Simon Anthony

Simon Anthony — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:41:12 +0000

Such great comments (especially Nancy and Alisa, who clearly have wonderful taste!!). Thank you all for reading. I have just submitted post 3, which should be out by Monday.

By: nancy from michigan

nancy from michigan — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:54:31 +0000

hi simon…………I really enjoyed your post alot. it sounds like real interesting work that you are doing. the birds are really beautiful! what I found extremely enjoyable is your funny sense of humor!! I can just picture this short little bed,(they must think everyone is a dwarf) with half your body hanging over the end as you try to get some shut eye! that is after you try to take a shower that is not really a shower(drip, drip)
I see stringy dirty hair,stinky socks, and an adorable face! ( correct me if I’m wrong!) you would be better off standing in the rain with a bar of soap! THEN, I can picture you hanging over a cliff or standing on your head, or climbing a tree trying to get a computer signal. FUNNY STUFF!! IF THIS JOB DOESN’T WORK OUT, YOU COULD BE A WRITER OR A STAND UP COMEDIAN! keep us posted ok?

By: Alisa

Alisa — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:13:02 +0000

SIMON – IS A REAL CUTIE PIE…..

By: Lee in Vancouver

Lee in Vancouver — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:04:28 +0000

Simon, you have to write a book. I would surely buy it for the humour alone. I guess the parrots don’t have a great sense of smell because they let you get close and you didn’t offend them. Anyways, I look forward to your next blog.

By: Shirley Sykes

Shirley Sykes — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:26:32 +0000

Hi Simon. I really enjoyed your blog (though glad it wasn’t in “smellovision”)! And I’m looking forward to reading about your further activities. It’s impressive how you and your team can do your molecular researching under such primitive conditions. And you’re absolutely right — helping these beautiful birds and precious chicks is surely worth it all. Oh, and when you get back I’d really like to see you perform your arabesques, both the Bolshoi-worthy and non-worthy versions!!

By: zoodog

zoodog — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:32:37 +0000

Polly wants a post! Great info and I LOVE the picture looking into the nest at the chicks. I think this deserves a tweet! Keep up the good work.