Monk Parakeet
Least ConcernMyiopsitta monachus
Visual Identification
Monk Parakeet
Appearance
The Monk Parakeet is a small, vibrant parrot with predominantly bright green plumage. Its forehead, cheeks, and throat are pale grey, contrasting with a blue wash on its flight feathers and tail. The bird has a stout, orange beak and grey legs.
Both males and females share identical colouration, making visual sex determination challenging. Juveniles resemble adults but may have slightly duller plumage and darker eyes.
Size
Length
29cm to 31cm
Wingspan
48cm to 53cm
Weight
90g to 120g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Green
Secondary Colour
Grey Blue
Beak Colour
Orange
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Native to South America, Monk Parakeets naturally inhabit open woodlands, savannahs, and palm groves in countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. They thrive in areas with scattered trees and open ground for foraging.
Due to their popularity as pets, these parakeets have established feral populations in many parts of the world, including the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom. They adapt well to urban and suburban environments, often nesting in parks and residential areas.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Monk Parakeets are primarily herbivorous, feeding on various seeds, fruits, berries, and buds. They show a particular fondness for sunflower seeds and corn.
In urban areas, they readily visit bird feeders and may consume a wider range of foods, including bread and other human-provided items.
Behaviour
Monk Parakeets are highly social birds, often seen in noisy flocks. They are known for their acrobatic flying skills, frequently performing swift, undulating flights between feeding and roosting sites.
These parakeets are also remarkable for their nest-building behaviour, constructing large, communal stick nests that can house multiple pairs.
Vocalisation
Monk Parakeets are known for their loud, raucous vocalisations. Their most common call is a sharp, metallic 'kik-kik' or 'quak-quak' sound, often repeated in rapid succession.
They also produce softer chirps and chatters when communicating within their flock, creating a constant background noise in areas where they're abundant.
Nesting & Breeding
Monk Parakeets are unique among parrots for their communal nesting habits. Breeding pairs typically form in spring, with courtship involving mutual preening and feeding.
They construct large, elaborate stick nests, often weighing over 200 pounds, which can house multiple breeding pairs. These nests are frequently built on tall structures like trees, utility poles, or buildings.
Females lay 5-8 white eggs, which are incubated for about 24 days. Both parents participate in incubation and care for the chicks, which fledge after approximately 6-7 weeks but may remain near the nest for several months.
Lifespan
years
The Monk Parakeet typically lives for 15 to 20 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Monk Parakeet is listed as Least Concern globally, it faces challenges in its native range due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
In introduced areas, particularly in the United States and Europe, it is sometimes considered an invasive species, leading to control measures in some regions.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for large stick nests in trees or on man-made structures
- Listen for their loud, squawking calls, especially at dawn and dusk
- Search in urban parks, gardens, and near bird feeders in areas where they've been introduced
- Observe their gregarious behaviour in small to large flocks
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Quaker Parrot, Quaker Parakeet
Family:
PsittacidaePredators
Main predators include raptors such as hawks and falcons, as well as domestic cats in urban areas. Snakes and raccoons may prey on eggs and nestlings.
Did You Know?
- Monk Parakeets are the only parrot species that build stick nests rather than nesting in cavities.
- Their communal nests can weigh up to 1 ton and house over 20 pairs of birds.
- Despite their tropical origin, these parakeets can survive in areas with snowy winters.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Myiopsitta monachus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T45427277A132189848.
View source - 2 3
report, 1997: del Hoyo et al.