Monk parakeets: Kelley Murphy


Monk parakeets: Kelley Murphy Monk parakeets: Kelley Murphy

White Rock neighbor Kelley Murphy, who has become something of a regular contributor to Advocate with her beautiful wildlife photos, was kind enough to share some photos she snapped of the monk parakeet colony that makes its home at White Rock Lake.

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“Every time I am lucky enough to see them, they never disappoint in showing off their magic sparkle and lively spirit,” Murphy says. “It’s fun when random people stop to ask me, ‘What are those green birds?’ I don’t think many people realize these unique wild creatures live right here in Dallas.”

Monk parakeets: Kelley Murphy

Monk parakeets: Kelley Murphy

Monk parakeets: Kelley Murphy

This isn’t the first we’ve written about these emerald-colored creatures. Back in 2011, Advocate editor Christina Hughes Babb gave us the lowdown on our feathered friends. She told us they love the extreme heat because it reminds them of their South American roots. “The birds’ love of heat is also the reason that they nest at the warmth-emitting TXU electrical tower on the west side of White Rock Lake, according to neighborhood bird expert George Boyd,” she wrote at the time, although Boyd wasn’t able to tell Hughes Babb how the birds arrived in Dallas. Read the rest of her story.

Murphy also shared photos of the mute swan at Sunset Bay, the butterfly garden at the Bath House Cultural Center, and the white pelicans at White Rock Lake.