Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) are medium-sized, green and gray parrots with long, pointed tails. Native to South America, these adaptable and hardy birds now inhabit cities in Texas, Alabama, Oregon, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Louisiana, Illinois, Delaware and Puerto Rico with smaller populations reported in California and South Carolina.
What are Feral Birds?
Feral birds are domestic or pet birds, or the descendants of such birds, that escape into the wild where they establish self-sustaining populations. One of the most successful feral birds is the Rock Dove, or common pigeon, which originated in the rocky cliffs of the Mediterranean Sea and is now found around the world. Like the Rock Dove, the Monk Parakeet is highly adaptable; it thrives in the year-round warmth of Florida yet manages to weather Chicago's cold winters.
Native Habitat
In Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil, Monk Parakeets prefer to live near large bodies of water and in scrub forest, savanna and palm groves. In Argentina, farmers and the government have long regarded them as agricultural pests, and believe the birds are responsible for large-scale destruction of fruit and grain crops. Although scientists are divided on whether the evidence supports this contention, Argentina has tried a variety of mostly unsuccessful eradication and population control campaigns, including hunting, trapping, killing and exporting.
Habitat of North American Monk Parakeets
In North America, the birds live primarily in or around city parks, including Chicago's Hyde Park, White Rock Lake in Dallas, Brooklyn's Greenwood Cemetery and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx. In suburban areas, they are regular visitors at backyard bird feeders. In 2006, Donegal Browne of Palemaleirregulars.com photographed a pair of Monk Parakeets in a nest on the sixth floor window ledge of a Manhattan apartment building.
Unusual Nesting Habits
Gregarious, lively and vocal birds, Monk Parakeets feed and nest in flocks. They are the only parrot to build a nest; all other parrot species occupy tree cavities. Monk Parakeets build twig structures with separate "apartments" and entrances for each nesting pair. The nests are divided into compartments that include an area for eggs or new babies, and another area for older juveniles. Nests are maintained all year.
The parakeets' tendency to build large structures atop municipal power grids has caused concerned officials in some cities to destroy nests and birds. In other cities, including New York and Dallas, birdwatchers, city officials and utility company staff have worked together to maintain the safety and efficiency of the power grid without harming the birds.
Monk Parakeets as Pets
Known for their intelligence, comical behavior and affectionate nature, Monk Parakeets make excellent pets. Most are good talkers that can learn to mimic a wide range of words and phrases. They live 15-20 years. Monk parakeets have been a staple bird of the pet bird trade since the 1960s, when Argentina began exporting large numbers of the birds, often called Quaker parrots, to pet stores throughout the United States. In 2005, Birdlife International reported that "710,686 wild-caught individuals have been recorded in international trade" since 1981.
In most parts of the U.S., the birds are available from pet stores and breeders. A few states, including California, ban the birds as pets out of fear that a feral population will become a threat to farmers and native bird species.
Where to See Feral Parakeets
In New York, Brooklyn Parrots offers a "Brooklyn Wild Parrot Safari" to view New York parakeets. In many cities, the local Audubon Society can provide information about nest locations, which are often in public park land.
Resources
There are many good websites with information on Monk Parakeets, or Quaker Parrots, including Birdlife International, The Birds of North America Online, Animal Diversity Web and Encyclopedia of Life.
The following articles provide more information on urban wildlife: Urban Wildlife: Birds of Prey in Manhattan, Urban Wildlife: Raccoons in Manhattan and The Mannahatta Project: New York Natural History.
Melissa Cooper - Melissa Cooper is a freelance writer who specializes in articles about the history and natural history of Manhattan, urban wildlife and ...
