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Tell us what you think >>
Selected submissions will be posted here regularly, so visit again to read more
comments.
Many people have written in to ask about Mark and the parrots' experiences since filming concluded; find answers and updates on The Film, The Parrots Background and Updates and filmmaker Judy Irving and Mark Bittner's Q&A pages.
5/30/07
Sheila
Brooklyn, NY
I really enjoyed your film. Mark reminds me of my favorite childhood saint, St. Francis of
Assisi. We have wild parrots in Brooklyn. It's hard to believe that they have adapted to
our rough winters but they have. They build huge nests that look like mansions with
several rooms. Many of them are located on Marine Parkway. I hope Judy and Mark make a
film about them. http://www.brooklynparrots.com/
5/30/07
I saw the airing of The Wild Parrots on May 29. Immediately I became absorbed. I grew up
partly with my grandparents on the edge of the South American rainforest in Guyana and
simply adore parrots and macaws. I always watched the various species of birds and animals
for hours as they went about their day to day lives flitting through the trees and bushes.
It was a special treat to see Mark's passion, dedication and love for the flock. I found
myself bonding quickly with Conner, the blue-headed male. I sensed his loneliness without
a mate and his grief toward the end of his life. It was sad the way the hawks got him. I
do believe Mark's theory that animals exhibit humanlike emotions.
5/30/07
Mark's feelings of sensing emotions from the bird who was dying led me to remember the
Unitarian-Universalist Church Principles- 7th of which is "Respect for the interdependent
web of all existence of which we are a part." What a wonderful story- well above the high
standards I expect from Public Television. thank you.
5/30/07
Waynesboro, Georgia
I was sorry to hear of Conner, but I think Mark did a great thing. I think with both of
ya'lls work people eyes & hearts maybe opened. Can hope. Best wishes for the birds & Judy
& Mark.
5/30/07
Montreal, Qubec, Canada
I just finished watching the film on the parrots. For the first time in months, I was
totally enthralled to the point where I felt no emotional or physical pain. Thank you for
the wonderful story, for making me realize there is hope, there are still good people. And
Mark, congratulations on the "haircut"! Be happy, both of you !!!
5/30/07
Susan Carrier
Windham, Maine
I was quite simply moved by this documentary. I loved the dedication and intelligence and
tenderness of the observer, Mark Bittner. The contribution to the body of knowledge is
valuable and was enhanced tremendously by the filming of this show - all the efforts could
have been lost without that filming. And I love that in the end Mark and Judy became a
pair! A perfect ending!! Thank you.
5/30/07
Joon
Worcester, MA
I love your description of the Yosemite waterfall - I can visualize it in my head and how
all the little droplets meet in the end...Thank you for your inspiring story which can
transcend to so many other things in life.
5/30/07
Daniela Lozan
Hartford, CT
When I went to updates,I just had to see the vidoes. There was good settings.You see I
love parrots.If you have them as a pet,they're like a true family member.It is very sweet
that you made wild birds into your pets,except you didn't lock them up in a cage.The photo
gallery was marvelous. You took awsome pictures of those angel birds.I saved all of those
pictures for my desktop.I can imagine how happy your were with those birds.I was into
parrots at age 5 and now I'm 10. This love for parrots is never going to end.
5/30/07
J Shanahan
Hartford, CT
Awesome show, this is very similar to the flocks of non-native quaker parakeets in
southern Connecticut.
5/30/07
Mark Myracle
Somers
Thanks so much for a great show. I'm aware that there is a parakeet population here in CT
but it never really piqued my interest until now...by the way, it piqued Gizmos (my cat)
interest as well.
5/29/07
Jennifer
Dighton, Ma
I loved the show and am so proud of San Francisco for protecting them and the trees they
inhabit. I think we could all learn from Mark's experience and the Love and positive
things that they can bring to us. We need to protect what is good. Also a question for
Mark, what can someone like myself do if anything to help these birds in any way? Thanks.
5/29/07
Boston, MA
Thank you, Mark Bitner, for allowing the Parrots into your heart and for putting yourself
in front of a chainsaw to protect the bird's habitat. Thank you San Fransisco for
legislating protection of the Cypress trees, and thank you, Judy Irving, for bringing the
story to us. Connor's story is particularly touching and transcending. Wow, what an
amazing film and I am so glad that I got to see it on PBS.
5/29/07
Jennifer
Quincy, MA
I just loved the show. I love birds I have 6 at home. My parrot Rico would fit right in.
Even he watched it. I thought it was a touching to see someone be so caring but yet let
them live as wild as they are. I cried too. it was touching. God bless those birds. Thank
god there is you Mark Bittner for these birds.
5/24/07
Orange park, FL
My great friend, Kathy McClanahan (known as Kay in SF) talked to you during this time of
filming. She is so passionate about her birds, and she meets my passion for dogs. She let
me know your film is showing in my area, and though she is in Ohio now, her passion
carries on. I hope her name shows in the mentions somewhere in your documentary--I'll
watch for it.
My daughter works for the Fox news station in Colorado Springs and did a video about
environmental footsteps for her final thesis, when she was in college in Ohio, in 2001. It
was phenomenal--she always wanted to make documentaries. But she is happy where she is,
and is a newshound. But still dreams the dream. If you ever want to see her film, give a
holler. I'm not peddling my kid's talent, but her idea's are where we all need to be. I'll
watch your production (even though it's way past this ol lady's bedtime!) and applaud you
for it ahead of time. Thanks,mrs. dru hofmann
5/15/07
Gloria
San Mateo
The beginning of my real interest in birds was when I received a bird feeder as a
Christmas present. It took several months before any birds even noticed the feeder, but
finally they came. Eventually, there could be as many as a hundred sitting on a nearby
tree waiting their turn on the feeder. They are house finches or sparrows. If the feeder
should be empty, I really hear it from them. From the birds, my interest and love moved to
squirrels, and there is the real story. There have been about 20 squirrels, most with
names, over the past 3 years or so. They come into my house, sit on my lap, and sometimes
we have breakfast or lunch together.
5/2/07
John Gaudet ('Bwana Papyrus' on MySpace)
McLean, VA
The wild parrots renewed my faith in film as an art medium - I'd almost given up.
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