Monk Parakeet

Overview

Monk Parakeet: Medium parakeet, green overall, gray forehead, cheeks, lores, throat. Breast is gray, variably barred by dark edges on feathers. Pale pink bill. Belly; lower back, and rump are yellow-green. Wings are dull green with blue flight feathers. Tail is green above with central blue shafts.

Range and Habitat

Monk Parakeet: Native of South America; introduced to North America, establishing feral populations in and around cities from New England to the midwest, southeast Texas, and Florida; south Florida supports the largest population. Found in suburban and urban environments, particularly city parks.

INTERESTING FACTS

Also called Quaker Parrot, feral Monk Parakeets in the U.S. were first recorded in New York in 1967.
Although it is an invasive species, there has been little data showing a negative impact on either native species or agriculture. It is, however, often considered a nuisance as groups are very noisy and messy in foraging.
Its large, communal nests of sticks are easily identifiable and are often built on support poles of electrical lines.
A group of parakeets is collectively known as a "chatter" and a "flock" of parakeets.

The Monk Parakeet has a large range, estimated globally at 2,800,000 square kilometers. Native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, and present in various parts of Europe, Asia, and North America, this bird prefers subtropical or tropical forest and dry savanna ecosystems, though it has been known to live in many artificial environments such as rural and urban areas. The global population of this bird is has not been precisely determined, but despite heavy trading does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Monk Parakeet is Least Concern.