PSE&G Removing Parakeet Nests to Prevent Outages

PSE&G crews this week will remove 30 monk parakeet nests from utility poles in Fort Lee, Leonia and Edgewater, northjersey.com reported Wednesday. 

The birds were blamed with causing a power outage in December that impacted 3,400 customers in Leonia, Englewood Cliffs and Teaneck. Utility company officials say the removals are needed to prevent more electrical outages and short outs. 

Although PSE&G and parakeet supporters have clashed, this year's removal effort brought more collaboration, the report said. The birds are being removed in more mild weather. 

“This is probably the most ideal week to remove the nests,” Alison Evans-Fragale, of the Edgewater Parrot Society told the newspaper. “It will give the birds enough time to rebuild the nests.”

"The [parakeets] will now spend the next few weeks frantically re-building in an effort to have a place to call home in time for the breeding season," a message on a parakeet advocacy group Facebook said. "Kudos to PSE&G for their humane efforts on behalf of the wild Quaker Parrots."

The colorful birds have lived in the area for about four decades.