June 8, 2005 -- A most unusual documentary about a strange flock of urban wild birds and the man who befriends them is curiously engaging because of the unique personalities of both man and birds. Mark Bittner is sort of like the Birdman of Alcatraz. He lives alone in San Francisco and he is a self-taught bird expert. He's not in jail, though, just homeless. Well, not exactly. He had a place to live. He just wasn't paying any rent. You begin to see just how curious this story is.

Filmmaker Judy Irving likes to do wildlife stories, and Bittner, being the interesting fellow he is, made this the perfect film project. Bittner, who lived for a number of years on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, befriended a flock of 40 wild parrots. He named them all and learned their distinct personalities. He became an expert on wild parrot behavior and gave tours of the birds and their habitat. During the course of the film, the audience is introduced to Bittner and to several of the parrots. The birds are red-headed Conures, birds with green bodies and bright red heads. One of the birds has is a blue-headed Conure, and is a bit of an outcast in the group. The film shows us the quirks of birds Bittner has named Connor, Mingus, Olive, Pushkin, Picasso, Sophie, and Tupelo. Some are noble, some are clowns, some are deranged and some are lovers who quarrel and split. They are unforgettable.

Bittner alone can approach these birds. They eat out of his hand. They perch on his head. He takes care of them when they are sick. He befriends those who are friendless. It is an altogether remarkable relationship. Bittner managed for years to live rent-free in a small house near the birds. Somehow (the movie does not explain where he got his money, because he doesn't work) he got enough money to buy food for the birds, as well as himself. The birds, however, are quite capable of feeding themselves. The real story in the movie is the story of the birds, not the man who befriends them. He, it turns out has only a pale imitation of the freedom the birds already possess.

The film benefits greatly from good photography, as well as some fine music by Chris Michie. It is nicely paced and we are allowed to discover and observe the personalities and behaviors of the birds through a nice juxtaposition of interviews, descriptions and scenes illustrating what we've been told. The film is a nice reminder of the magic in everyday things and the many characteristics we share with the animals. This film rates a B.

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Copyright © 2005 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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