A portion of the bike trail at the southwest end of White Rock Lake follows the long straight path once occupied by train tracks. While traveling on this section of trail you might notice some unusual bird calls. That will be your first indication that you have come across the lake’s resident population of Monk Parakeets.

Monk Parakeets are an invasive species, and the lake’s colony is reported to be the descendants of escaped pets. It would seem that the parakeets are doing very well in our area, and that this is just one colony of several in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Unusual birds calls at White Rock Lake attracted my attention to this well camouflaged green bird. can you see him near the center of the photograph?
Unusual birds calls at White Rock Lake attracted my attention to this well camouflaged green bird. can you see him near the center of the photograph?
My first sighting was of a parakeet in a tree, but my attention was soon directed to this power station where many more of the strange bird calls were coming from.
My first sighting was of a parakeet in a tree, but my attention was soon directed to this power station where many more of the strange bird calls were coming from.
Monk Parakeets could bee seen carrying twigs and other nesting materials to the metal structure.
Monk Parakeets could bee seen carrying twigs and other nesting materials to the metal structure.
A Monk Parakeet carrying nesting material.
A Monk Parakeet carrying nesting material.
On closer inspection it became clear that the power station contained many Monk Parakeet nests.
On closer inspection it became clear that the power station contained many Monk Parakeet nests.
There is a Monk Parakeet perched on a crossbar near the center of this photograph.
There is a Monk Parakeet perched on a crossbar near the center of this photograph.
There was a lot of nesting activity at this site. The parakeets were constantly coming and going, each time returning with more nesting materials.
There was a lot of nesting activity at this site. The parakeets were constantly coming and going, each time returning with more nesting materials.
A zoomed out view of the power station.
A zoomed out view of the power station.
A closer look at one of the Monk Parakeets.
A closer look at one of the Monk Parakeets.

Observation Details

County – Dallas
City – Dallas
Date – October 27, 2007
Time of Day – Afternoon
Temperature – Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather – Clear
Habitat – Recreation-Park
Type of Behavior – Nesting
Gender – Mixed
Maturity – Adult
Observer – Chris Jackson
Main Article – Monk Parakeet Observation Location

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