“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NASB

Wild Parrots in Metropolitan California

Concentration ruined, his attention jerks toward ear-splitting squawks—and a flash of emerald. Then like a vapor in the wind, they vanish. After intermittent disruptions, he sneaks in for closer inspection. The noisy culprits? Wild parrots.

As my son regales me with tales of his crazy bird sightings and the rumors sustaining his theory, I think he must be mistaken. So I google “Wild parrots in California.” Instead of finding no evidence, I find a 1960’s newspaper report of an extensive fire in Bel Air revealing that many panicked residents released their pets to save them. Especially the birds.

And articles detailing the Anheuser-Busch aviary demolition also contribute to the lore. During the theme park closing, speculation ensues about the number of feathered escapees. But rather than dying in the wild, as expected of a pampered parrot, they thrive in a new cage-free life. 

Zoom forward over half a century to coastal California, where flocks of bright green parrots nest in trees. Wild parrots in Amazonian jungles—yes—but the Malibu city limits and grassy hills in Lamborghini land? Never.

They seem to be attracted to the palm trees surrounding my son’s office. Maybe their genetic programming propels them to the site since jungles are a bit scarce—at least the tree kind of jungle in Cali. So, the next time we have a patio lunch date, I watch for these abrasively noisy yet fascinating birds. They fly in large flocks yet pair off in twos upon landing. It’s apparent even in nature, a need for companionship and special relationships exist.  

Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

God Cares, But We Need Companionship

God relishes our company, yet he created us for companionship. So we strive to forge a bond of two, but to secure a bond of three—increases our chance of survival in our fight to soar above life’s storm clouds without a crash. Basically, four eyes and ears are better than two. But six weathers the squall as the sky darkens, and thunder booms with the zig-zag of lightning too close for comfort.

Scripture tells us again and again of God’s love for us, but if you need a human tripod be proactive.  Call a friend, volunteer, join a book club, or a bible study to broaden your circle. There are lots of lonely people out there, yearning for a friend. My mom used to say, “You have to be a friend to have a friend.”

God Loves Us Even More than the Birds

But if you can’t follow Solomon’s advice during this Covid trial, take heart. If you feel alone in the melee and pushed to the margins of a world spinning backward, don’t despair. Our Lord adores you and watches over you day in and day out. So no matter if you feel more like the drab brown sparrow than the colorful verdant parrot, God loves you more than even those. 

We aren’t like the wandering parrots forced to find a new home. As God whispers, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” we are freed from our cage of bondage, gliding to new heights.  Instead of flying by the seat of our pants, we have a home in God’s arms forever and a promise worth squawking about.