Species Profile
Monk Parakeet
Myiopsitta monachus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
15–20 years
Length
29–31 cm
Weight
90–120 g
Wingspan
48–53 cm
Migration
Resident
Also known as: Quaker Parrot, Quaker Parakeet
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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.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Orange
- Legs
- Grey
Markings
Blue flight feathers, grey breast and cheeks
Tail: Long and tapered
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & 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.
Distribution
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.
Calls & Sounds
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.
Conservation
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.
Population
Estimated: Not quanitified, but 'common to abundant'[3]
Trend: Increasing[2]
Population increasing due to establishment in non-native areas
Elevation
Up to 1,000 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 3cm x 2cm
- Predators:
- 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.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, repetitive chirp
- Breeding age:
- 1-2
- Maturity age:
- 1-2
- Feeding times:
- Early morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, capture for pet trade
- Parental care:
- Both parents incubate eggs and feed chicks
- Primary calls:
- Loud, distinctive squawk
- Social habits:
- Highly social, lives in large flocks
- Egg appearance:
- White
- Feeding habits:
- Forages in trees and on the ground
- Breeding season:
- Spring
- Diet variations:
- Varies with season and location
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 6 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 20
- Call description:
- Variety of squawks, chirps, and whistles
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, foraging in the morning and evening
- Nesting location:
- In trees or on man-made structures
- Number of broods:
- One to two
- Incubation period:
- Around 24 days
- Nest construction:
- Large, communal stick nest
- Migration patterns:
- Does not migrate
- Migratory patterns:
- Does not migrate
- Age related changes:
- None known
- Prey capture method:
- Uses beak to crack open seeds and nuts
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected in some areas
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends nesting sites
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, nests in large colonies
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 4-8 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Generally peaceful but can be aggressive when defending nests
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
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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