Monk Parakeet

The Monk Parakeet, also known as the Quaker Parrot, is a small and vibrant green parrot with a greyish breast and a greenish-yellow abdomen. This charming bird is a member of the true parrot family, Psittacidae, and is known for its relatively long lifespan of 20-30 years.

Identification Tips

Adult Monk Parakeets measure approximately 29 cm (11 in) in length with a wingspan of 48 cm (19 in), and an average weight of 100 g (3.5 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being 10-20% smaller than males. They possess bright-green upperparts, a pale gray forehead and breast with darker scalloping, and very light-green to yellow underparts. Their remiges are dark blue, and they have a long, tapering tail. The bill is a notable orange color. Vocalizations include a loud and throaty chape(-yee) or quak quaki quak-wi quarr, and screeches skveet.

Habitat

Monk Parakeets are adaptable birds that originally inhabit temperate to subtropical areas of South America. They are known to build stick nests in trees or on man-made structures, a unique behavior among parrots.

Distribution

Native to South America, these birds are common in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. They have established feral populations in North America and Europe, mainly in urban areas and regions with climates similar to their native habitat.

Behaviour

Monk Parakeets are gregarious and often breed colonially. They construct large communal nests with separate entrances for each pair. These nests can become quite sizable and may house other species. The birds are known to have helper individuals that assist with feeding the young, a behavior known as kin selection.

Song & Calls

The Monk Parakeet's call is a distinctive and throaty chape(-yee) or quak quaki quak-wi quarr, with screeches of skveet. These vocalizations are important for communication within the species.

Breeding

These parakeets breed in colonies, with nests that can house multiple pairs. Each pair has its own entrance to the communal nest. They lay five to 12 white eggs, which hatch in about 24 days.

Similar Species

The Cliff Parakeet (Myiopsitta luchsi) is similar in appearance but is considered a separate species due to morphological, behavioral, and geographical differences.

Diet and Feeding

Monk Parakeets are known to feed on various seeds, fruits, and vegetation. In their native range, they are sometimes considered agricultural pests due to their feeding habits.

Conservation status

The Monk Parakeet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, in some introduced areas, they are subject to control measures due to concerns about their impact on local ecosystems and agriculture.