I haven't been watching the Sunnyvale parrots for as long as some in your article but long enough to know them. I see them on my early morning bike rides and when I shop at Pak N Save and Trader Joe's.

Residents I know who have lived in Sunnyvale for 60 years say that the parrots (and some other exotic birds) escaped when Marine World moved its menagerie to its current, northern location. Also missing during the move were cockatoos, which residents have seen from time to time. These have not thrived as well as the parrots, however.

As for the parrots changing their habits during the summer, I have not noticed this. It is during the summer that I see them most frequently during the evenings in the trees across from Pak N Save, flocking during the long evenings.

What I do notice is the current "turf wars" going on between the parrots and the crows in the early mornings. Both are very territorial birds. The crows like to roust the parrots out of their perches at Ortega Park.

I'm glad to see your paper online.

—Maria K. Faria, Sunnyvale


Readers confuse the two Officer Pennys

In the March 5 edition of the Sunnyvale Sun there is an article titled "Public Safety Department charged with sexual bias." There is reference to plaintiff Penny Lenee Alderin, who is an officer assigned to the investigations unit.

Also, in the March 5th edition there is a letter titled "Officer Penny is a big hit at Challenger School." This letter was written about Officer Penny Alicia Gleason, who is assigned to the crime prevention unit as a neighborhood resource officer. Officer Gleason has more than 22 years of experience with the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.

I am making this clarification so that you may provide the most accurate information to your readers. Officer Gleason has received feedback from concerned citizens who read the article and believed she was the officer involved in the lawsuit.

—Jill Jackson, Sunnyvale resident, city employee