Shapeshifting in San Francisco

I'm still reading The Enchantress, an urban fantasy set in San Francisco. Last night I read of Nicholas Flamel sharing his consciousness with a red-headed conyer so he could fly from the Embarcadero to Alcatraz island ......

***

"Parrots are the most remarkable birds," Nicholas continued, ignoring him. He stretched out his left arm and the merest hint of mint touched the salt air. His lips moved, his breath hissing softly between them. There was a sudden flutter of wings and a spectacular red-headed green-bodied parrot settled onto his outstretched hand. It tilted its head to one side, silver and gold eye regarding him quizzically; then it slowly began to sidle up his arm. The Alchenyst ran the back of his finger down its breast. "Parrots are extraordinarily intelligent. And their eyesight is marvelous. There are some species whose eyes weigh more than their brains. They can see into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum; they can even see waves of light." (pp. 35-36)

***