Parakeets add greenery to the scenery

If it weren’t for the parched hillsides, strolling through Big Sycamore Canyon might seem a little like strolling through a Bolivian jungle.

The wild parakeets, after all, lend an exotic flavor to a tree-lined fire road that delves long into Point Mugu State Park.

In fact, with the surrounding landscape so brown, the communal birds provide a stark contrast as they swarm about in lustrous green flocks.

“They’re actually quite friendly and will sometimes follow hikers from tree to tree,” says Garret Buff, a park aide, from his post at the campground kiosk. “They’re really curious about people.”

The black-hooded parakeets, which are native to South America, have been a unique attraction for years and now number in the dozens. They’re particularly active late in the afternoon.

I’m buzzed by a large flock about a mile down the fire road just before detouring on a westbound trail leading to the upper ridge. The birds, on northbound patrol, veer sharply to their left, passing closely overhead, then to the right, beckoning me to follow.

It’s difficult to keep pace, but their shrill cries carry far across the land. I locate them east of the fire road, settling like Christmas ornaments onto the leafy branches of an elderberry tree.

They have black hoods, as if part of some avian cult, and their velvety green bodies are adorned with soft blue scarves. Their legs are ringed with bright red bands.

At their evening feast, the birds tear clumps of tiny berries and use their feet and beaks to separate fruit from stems.

Some carry their clumps to higher branches of a nearby sycamore and eat while enjoying a view of the trail. None care how close I approach; they just gaze curiously at me, the way caged parakeets might.

Nobody is sure how the birds became established in this remote park alongside Pacific Coast Highway, at the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Populations of parrots, whose origins are probably traced to released pets, have been established within Los Angeles County, in such communities as Santa Monica and Hermosa Beach.

But the black-hooded parakeets seem to prefer a rural existence -- particularly areas forested with sycamores.

They’ve been encountered in coastal canyons from Pacific Palisades to Point Mugu, but the largest concentration is in Big Sycamore Canyon, where they subsist on berries, seeds and insects.

The birds thrive, Buff says, because they have few predators, a reasonably warm climate and a dense concentration of sycamores, including those that cast shade over the Sycamore Canyon campground.

“People like them, even people who travel all over the world,” Buff adds, “because it’s like a tropical place close to home.”

And it’ll be much more so if the winter rains come and paint the landscape green again.

The shadow knows

A large beige animal strides across the Big Sycamore Canyon fire road, viewed only briefly as it ducks into the brush.

Fortunately for the parakeets, the park’s chief predators -- mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes -- feed mostly on rabbits and other ground mammals.

I’m not sure which of the three this is, as I leave the birds to their berries and make a cautious approach -- camera in one hand, large stick in the other.

It moved more like a cat than a canine -- either a small lion or large bobcat -- but I can’t be sure.

“This park does have all three,” Buff says, stressing that these predators are nocturnal and desire no interaction with humans.

Surprisingly, this creature, whatever it is, has crossed the park’s busiest human thoroughfare despite a sporadic stream of hikers and bikers.

But the hour’s getting late and the western ridge is casting a long, cool shadow. The predator has probably just awoken and is positioning for its nighttime hunt.

It seems to have emerged from, and re-entered through, the brush, a dry wash running perpendicular to the fire road, and is traveling east.

I was lucky to catch the parakeets in good light and half-hope to steal a photo of this beast while following the wash and peering intently into the brush.

I pause to listen and hear nothing, and suddenly the park is too quiet and the widening shadow spreads over the wash, powerfully suggesting that it’s time for me to leave.

Briefly

Saltwater fishing: Albacore season may finally be on the wane, but choppy seas have hampered the effort. Still present at the outer banks are thousands of small yellowfin. Look for a spike in yellowtail action at Catalina.

Top angler: San Clemente’s John Wilson, a 51.4-pound albacore, aboard the American Angler.

Freshwater fishing: The Southland trout season is close at hand and the privately run lakes will boast the biggest and brightest fish.

Opening dates: Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake, which will be stocked with triploid rainbows to about 20 pounds, Oct. 18.

Irvine Lake, which will feature steelhead, brook and brown trout, Oct. 19; Laguna Niguel Lake, which will stock famous Alpers rainbows, mid-November.

Lobster fishing: The season opened Saturday at 12:01 a.m., and divers have been enjoying fair hunting in mostly clear, cool conditions. Look for bigger lobsters in deeper water.

South Bay resident Brian Kari grabbed an 8.1-pound lobster to win the Lobster Mobster contest held by Dive N’ Surf in Redondo Beach.

pete.thomas@latimes.com