San Francisco's Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Walking Tour

Meet at the Columbus Statue in front of Coit Tower in San Francisco’s Telegraph Hill neighborhood at 4pm. From here, your friendly, knowledgeable guide will lead you on a 3-hour walking tour in search of this neighborhood’s legendary parrot colony.

You’ll learn about this history of these unique birds -- primarily red-masked parakeets -- who call Telegraph Hill home. Descended from escaped or released pets, they've become a naturalized colony. You’ll also hear how these parrots have been the subject of books, news stories, travel guides and documentaries.

As you search for these famous feathered friends, be sure to listen for their distinctive call, your guide will point out interesting sights along the way, including buried ships, a redwood tree grove, the original San Francisco Bay waterline (hint: it’s not where you think) and the stomping grounds of Bummer and Lazarus, San Francisco’s most famous dogs who became canine celebrities in the 1860s.

If for some reason parrots aren’t sighted on your tour, you’ll be treated to your own DVD copy of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill documentary to watch at home. Your Telegraph Hill walking tour ends at Sue Bierman Park.

Note: A portion of ticket proceeds go to the San Francisco based non-profit group Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue.