This documentary, produced, directed and edited by Judy Irving, focuses on an erstwhile homeless man named Mark Bittner. More than a film about wild parrots, it's about survival in the city, and more. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? It is an understatement to say that this film left a lasting impression on me. A natural bird sanctuary, the hill was also a nesting area for exotic wild parrots from South America who inexplicably showed up years before and made the area their home. It deserves to make a lot of money. It's a wonderful piece of luck for all of us that a documentary film maker took the time to explore the life of a man and flock of animals that most people would never give a second thought. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends.

The message seems simple and straightforward, but it turns out there are several, less obvious messages. My heart went out to him, and I realized: only a great movie such as this would make you sympathize for a parrot.

I find it inspiring that a man who can hardly feed himself feeds dozens of parrots. He accepts them for what they are.

An unassuming, quiet little movie (excepting the various "chatter" of bird species featured in the production), it chronicles the day to day life of Mark Bittner and his flock of wild parrots.
I did not find the ending to be a surprise, as many did, but agree that it was uplifting. | Mark treats these birds as wild animals although many of them act like pets. While some critics claim he anthropomorphizes the animals during his narration, I would disagree.

Mark Bittner, a dharma bum, former street musician in San Francisco, falls in with the flock as he searches for meaning in his life, unaware that the wild parrots will bring him everything he needs.

I hope the film does not turn him into a celebrity...we have enough of those already!

There was, and still is, considerable controversy about these flocks of escaped and feral tropical birds.

THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL. As others have commented, this is a fascinating documentary about non-indigenous parrots which have escaped into the wild and are taken under the wing of an apparent misfit. However, it's not about that.

Here we have Mark Bittner, a virtually jobless and homeless musician who never quite made it in San Francisco, and now is essentially a squatter with permission from the property owners. I find that documentaries such as this are increasingly becoming much more entertaining than the rehashed plots that Hollywood dishes out.

In conclusion, you should definitely see this documentary, because it made me cry, laugh, and make my heart soar all at once. I just saw this on April 28, 2005, in the theater, and it was great!

Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com). It's hard to say what this movie is more about - the wild parrot flock or the gentle man who loves them.

Mark Bittner is a man richer than Bill Gates & Paul Allen put together. Metacritic Reviews. This film has a zen-like quality. Charming story of a man who took it upon himself to care for the birds. Poor Connor had no mate, and he was the outcast of the flock. This is the same staircase featured in this movie. 27 of 30 people found this review helpful.

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Not only an endearing, entertaining and environmentally intelligent documentary, this film is also funny, thought-provoking and inspiring. In many ways reminds me of "Pale Male", the similar documentary of birds settling in residence in Manhattan, including the mating and fledging habits. A homeless musician finds meaning to his life when he starts a friendship with dozens of parrots.

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It's a bit odd: I just realized, I've only just met Mark Bittner on screen in a documentary last night--about 17 hours ago, to be exact, but I find myself thinking of him as someone I've known, and have known for a while. In San Francisco, there are at least two flocks of largely wild parrots who flock around the city. Awards