Don't Feed The Birds!
As tourist attractions go, San Francisco's wild parrots can be frustratingly unpredictable.
The 200 birds can often be seen swooping near Telegraph Hill, but there is only one place they show up like clockwork. At 5:30 every afternoon, they return to a small park surrounded by high rises, where outstretched hands await, offering sunflower seeds.
In the midst of the urban jungle, two species mingle and share. In exchange for a little food, the parrots bring a lot of happiness, CBS News correspondent John Blackstone reports.
"I was having a bad day and I wanted to talk to the parrots," said one bird-feeder, Sarah Cross.
So, it's therapy?
"Yeah, it's kind of nice," Cross told Blackstone.
There's no doubt the parrots are loved. But is feeding them loving them too much — robbing them of the ability to survive on their own.
One bird lover who's particularly disturbed is Mark Bittner. His book and documentary film, "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill," made the birds famous in the first place.
While he used to feed the birds, he says now the flock is thriving and should not depend on humans.
"My whole thing is to keep them wild, not to make them into like a circus act," Bittner said.
Bittner's worries reached City Hall. As of today, public parrot feeding in San Francisco will be banned. Down at the park, that has ruffled plenty of feathers.
Blackstone Blogs: The Parrots' Hilton
Watch An Extended Version Of This Story"I think law enforcement has better things to do with their time than to be policing a bunch of people trying to feed some birds," Lori Colburn said.
When the law goes into effect, it could mean a misdemeanor charge and a $100 fine, so if the cops show up, it could be the bird feeders who take flight.
The city, it seems, is determined to bite the hands that feed the parrots.