An East County wildlife rescue service seeks donations to fund a reward for information leading to an arrest in the killing of five Ocean Beach parrots, a fixture in OB life and part of what neighbors say makes the neighborhood special. Jamul-based SoCal Parrot has launched the effort amid the killings, which have taken place in Point Loma and OB since the first of the year. Four parrots have been killed in recent weeks. “There’s just no conceivable reason for anybody to hurt these birds,” OB resident Paul Avery said. Police believe the shooter is the same person but can’t do much because pellets are too similar to trace – so people are stepping in. Sarah Mansfield, of SoCal Parrot, says her service is maintaining the fundraising effort “to send a message to local authorities that we’re not going to stand for this and if they aren’t going to speak out against this then we will. SoCal Parrot’s fundraising goal is $3,000. The group says it will pursue felony animal cruelty charges against anyone caught shooting the parrots. A recent video taken by SoCal Parrot showed one bird limping around with a broken wing, the injuries caused by a pellet gun. The video was taken about an hour before the bird died. Patricia Simpson and her neighbor found the bird and another parrot in the middle of the road in Point Loma. She says his mate was already dead. SoCal Parrot added it’s also the start of baby season, so a lot of the birds might already have nests set up for their eggs. The exotic birds are thought to have migrated to Southern California as Mexican deforestation drove them here. Another theory is that they used to be pets and that they’re part of many years’ abandonment by owners on the move. They’re one of more than 500 colorful bird species in the area. For information on how to donate, see socalparrot.org. — 10 News