Scum of the earth shoots parrot

One of the wild parrots that live in Imperial Beach was shot by one or more shooters on Monday night, September 29.

Amanda Plante, the development and education director for the nonprofit organization SoCal Parrot, said her organization received a call about the injured bird after residents called authorities. The yellow-headed Amazon parrot was found on Evergreen Street, near the pier.

"It was bleeding," Plante said. "They called the police and Animal Control, and then the neighbor contacted us."

A Facebook page devoted to the incident reflected the Imperial Beach locals' concern. "You are lower than the scum of the earth," one post said, addressing the unknown shooter. "To deliberately hurt one of these beautiful creatures is disgusting." Another reads, "I hope the shooter gets a taste of his own medicine."

SoCal Parrot is providing medical assistance to the bird.

"I saw the parrot today," Plante said on Wednesday, October 1. "It's resting and recovering, awaiting possible surgery" for two pellets or BBs in its neck and chest as well as for multiple wing fractures.

Plante said there may have been two shooters because the two objects look different.

“One is a standard BB, the other looks like a pellet material," she said.

Plante speculated that the shooters "could be kids, practicing shooting cans" or the shooting could have been more malicious by "someone bothered by the birds." The parrots are known for their loud squawking.

Plante was surprised to learn that at least four yellow-headed Amazons live in Imperial Beach.

"It's a very rare bird, endangered globally, rare for San Diego…. It's pretty amazing, this is the first one that has come to us in the San Diego area."