BREAKING UPDATE Monday 4pm: Two more Parrots were found on Magnolia Street in South Pasadena, both shot by BB or pellet gun. Updates as details unfold….
Pasadena Parrots – CAUTION: SOME OF THE IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING
In a troubling series of attacks that has angered local residents, multiple wild parrots have been found shot, injured, and some killed in Pasadena and surrounding areas, prompting a call for investigations to wildlife officials and local law enforcement agencies.
The colorful birds, long considered “model citizens” of Pasadena, South Pasadena and surrounding areas, have suffered numerous casualties in recent days. In one particularly heartbreaking incident at Los Tunas and Rosemead Boulevard, a parrot was shot down along with five others, then struck by a vehicle after falling into the street.
Multiple residents have filed reports with local authorities, including to the Temple City Sheriff Station, as the death toll of the parrots rises. At least 11 parrots have been killed or seriously wounded by BB or pellet gun fire, according to Cleo Watts, founder of the Pasadena-based Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation center Cleo’s Critter Care.
“I’ve been getting a lot of phone calls for birds being shot down,” Watts told The South Pasadenan News. “It’s very upsetting to know that somebody would do this to these animals.”
Among the casualties, one parrot lost half a wing. Watts expressed frustration at the senseless violence. “These are wild Parrots, special to Pasadena and our way of life. They are apart of our community – why would anyone be shooting them?”
The attacks mark the second wave of violence against the local parrot population. Last year, several birds died after becoming entangled in nets deliberately placed in trees in Temple City. Now, surveillance footage circulating on social media shows a person in a white truck appearing to aim a rifle-like weapon skyward, presumably targeting the birds.
The red-crowned parrots, prevalent in Southern California, are purported to be protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. Both federal and state laws prohibit harming or harassing native and non-native bird species, with violations carrying substantial fines and possible imprisonment.
The senseless shootings have sparked outrage in Pasadena, Alta Dena, Arcadia and South Pasadena, where residents have long embraced the parrots as a vibrant part of their community. Watts and her team at Cleo’s Critter Care are providing rehabilitation services, with many being treated by veterinarian specialists.
“These birds are part of our neighborhoods. They’ve adapted to life here, and they’re a symbol of our urban biodiversity,” Watts said. “We need to protect them.”
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the incidents and seeking public assistance. Residents who discover injured parrots are urged to contact Cleo’s Critter Care at [email protected]. Those with information about the attacks should contact local law enforcement or wildlife officials immediately.
The Pasadena area parrot population has flourished for decades, becoming a beloved symbol of urban wildlife adaptation. As authorities work to identify those responsible for the attacks, the community has rallied to protect these distinctive residents of their suburban landscape.
