Thousands of monk parakeets were imported to the United States as pets during the 1950s and 60s (Jennifer Uehling) At a Glance Parrots were introduced to the U.S. as pets but began showing up in the wild in the 1960s.The small, green monk parakeet is the most common.Some parrot populations are dwindling in their native countries. Parrots were introduced to the U.S. as exotic pets in the 1960s, but now they are thriving in the wild in even the most...

This alligator wandered on to the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida early Tuesday morning. (MacDill Air Force Base ) At a Glance A crew at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida used a front-end loader to move a large alligator off a runway.Birds are especially dangerous to aircraft. The military faces budget constraints in keeping runways clear. When a large alligator ambled onto the runway early Tuesday morning at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, crews...

At a Glance Kenneth Howard, 22 months, went missing from his Salyersville, Kentucky, home on Sunday.An extensive search was undertaken to locate the boy.The toddler endured days of rain and chilly temperatures. After surviving three days alone in the elements, an eastern Kentucky toddler was found alive Wednesday near an old strip mine. Kenneth Howard, 22 months, was immediately taken to an area hospital to be treated for dehydration and checked for injuries and possible hyperthermia after battling rain and...