Derry Township in Hershey in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Thick-Billed Parrot
A rare beauty
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha
| | The Great Southwest | |
Thick-billed parrots are social birds and live together in flocks all year. Their loud calls can be heard over a mile away. Thick-billed parrots require the specialized habitat of a mature pine-oak forest for nesting and food. Their nests are built in snags or old woodpecker holes which they enlarge by chewing the wood. Their thick bills shred holes which they enlarge by chewing the wood. Their thick bills shred pine cones to reach the seeds, their main source of food, but they will also crack open acorns and eat fruit. Their bright green color helps them to blend in with the pine needles.
Thick-billed parrots spend most of their time at higher elevations from 3,900 to 11,500 feet. Although their range once included the mountains of southern Arizona and New Mexico, they are now found only in the mature pine oak forests of northwestern Mexico. Loss of suitable habitat resulted in a drastic decline in their numbers and they were listed as endangered species in 1973. Along with the now extinct Carolina parakeet, thick-billed parakeets are one of only two parrot species whose natural range once included the United States.
Erected by ZooAmerica.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1973.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, in the Susquehanna Valley, and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Birch Woods (a few steps from this marker); Burrowing Owl (a few steps from this marker); American Marten (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named American Marten (within shouting distance of this marker); Canada Lynx (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Canada Lynx (within shouting distance of this marker); Gray Wolf (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Gray Wolf (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hershey.
Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
This sign serves as a historical marker because it shares how human activity over time has affected the population of the thick-billed parrot.
— Submitted October 23, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
