Fun Facts about Monk Parakeets

Birdorable Monk Parakeet

Monk Parakeets, also known as Quaker Parrots in aviculture, are medium-sized parakeets with a mostly green plumage, gray at the forehead and throat, and a pale pink bill. Here are some facts about these cute birds:

  • The native range of Monk Parakeets is around subtropical parts of Argentina and surrounding countries in South America.
  • There are many self-sustaining feral populations of Monk Parakeets outside of South America, mainly in Europe and North America.
  • The Monk Parakeet was brought to the United States in the late 1960s as a pet. The first feral Monk Parakeet to be recorded in the U.S. was in New York in 1967. Many birds escaped or were intentionally released, and populations were allowed to proliferate. By the early 1970s, Monk Parakeets were established in seven states, and by 1995 they had spread to eight more. There are now thought to be approximately 100,000 in Florida alone.
  • The Monk Parakeet is the only parrot that builds a stick nest rather than using a hole in a tree. These birds typically build their nest in a tree or on a man-made structure.
  • These huge nests attract many other tenants, including birds of prey such as the Spot-winged Falconet or ducks such as the Yellow-billed Teal.
  • Monk Parakeets often breed colonially and build a single large nest with multiple entrances for each pair. In the wild these colonies can become quite large, with nests that can reach the size of a small car.
  • There are four recognized subspecies:
    • Myiopsitta monachus monachus -- Lives from southeastern Argentina and Uruguay and is the largest subspecies;
    • Myiopsitta monachus calita -- Native to the Andean foothills from southeastern Bolivia to Paraguay and northwestern Argentina. Has wings more prominently blue and darker gray head than other subspecies;
    • Myiopsitta monachus cotorra -- Nests in cliffs in southwestern Brazil and has less yellow below and is brighter overall;
    • Myiopsitta (monachus) luchsi (aka Cliff Parakeet) -- Has no scalloping on breast, underparts are brighter yellow and lives in the Andean valleys of central Bolivia.
  • The Cliff Parakeet subspecies may eventually be recognized as its own species again, as it has been on-and-off since it was first described in 1868.
  • The lifespan of a Monk Parakeet is 15 to 20 years in the wild and 25 to 30 years in captivity.
  • Other names for this bird are: Quaker Parrot, Monk Parrot or Quaker Parakeet.
  • A group of parakeets is collectively called a "chatter" or a "flock" of parakeets.
  • Quaker Parrots are popular pet birds for their comical personalities and energetic nature, but they are also notoriously loud and noisy birds, so take caution before rushing out to get one. They can live to be 30 years old, so caring for one is a long commitment. The birds are also illegal to keep in some U.S. states, especially in the south due to the established feral populations.
  • The Monk Parakeet was added to Birdorable in August 2007 and we have hundreds of original customizable gifts with this cute bird. Check out our cute Monk Parakeet gifts or our other Birdorable parrots and parakeets.
cotorritas argentinas 04 Monk Parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus
Photo by Ferran Pestaña (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Monk Parakeet / Myiopsitta monachus / 翁鸚哥(オキナインコ)
Photo by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) (CC BY 2.0)

Cute Monk Parakeet Gifts

Comments

Brianna on March 16, 2017 at 10:59 PM wrote:
This is awesome info and I'm getting a Quaker parrot very soon and I have made 8 pages of info of Quaker parrots a diet for mine and a schedule and I'm only 10
patricia chapman on October 5, 2017 at 5:37 PM wrote:
I have two questons how cold is she used to how can I help her molt is she legal in texas thank you very much
Spurwing Plover on January 24, 2022 at 7:20 AM wrote:
Just a a few years go little Child was saved by the famiie pet Monk Parakeet when the child choked on some food the Bird started squawking Mammy Baby their abysitter went and allyed the himlink and then contacted the Parents then the Hospital

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

2015 Bonanza Bird #5: Great Spotted Woodpecker

Today our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition continues with a fairly common Old World woodpecker species: the Great Spotted Woodpecker! The Great Spotted Woodpecker is found across Europe and northern Asia. This is a resident (non-migratory) species for the most part,...

Discover the Red-headed Woodpecker: A Striking Bird with Unique Habits

The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the most striking birds in North America, easily recognizable by its bold crimson head, white body, and black wings with large white patches. This vibrant bird stands out in both appearance and behavior, making it a favorite among birdwatchers. With its...

T-Shirt Tuesday: Save the Red-cockaded Woodpecker

This week's featured t-shirt is our Save the Red-cockaded Woodpecker design on a Men's Basic Dark T-Shirt. The male Red-cockaded Woodpecker has a small red streak on the side of its head, called a cockade, which gives the species its name. These woodpecker live in the...

Female Bird Day: Celebrating the Roles & Contributions of Female Birds

It's almost time for Female Bird Day! During Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-27, 2024), birders and bird lovers celebrate the remarkable and often overlooked world of female birds. While their colors may be more subtle, and their songs more muted, female birds are obviously integral...