About the Monk Parakeet
The monk parakeet, also known as the monk parrot or Quaker parrot, is a species of true parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is a small to medium, bright-green parrot with a greyish breast and greenish-yellow abdomen. Its average lifespan is approximately 15 years. It originates from the temperate to subtropical areas of South America. Self-sustaining feral populations occur in many places, mainly in areas of similar climate in North America and Europe.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The nominate subspecies of this parrot is 29 cm (11 in) long on average, with a 48-centimetre (19 in) wingspan, and weighs 100 g (3.5 oz). Females tend to be 10–20% smaller, but can only be reliably sexed by DNA or feather testing. Monk parakeets display very subtle sexual dimorphism in the colouration of their crown and wing coverts, but this is not noticeable to the human eye. It has bright-green upperparts. The forehead and breast are pale grey with darker scalloping and the rest of the underparts are very light-green to yellow. The remiges are dark blue, and the tail is long and tapering.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Monk Parakeet sounds like
Where the Monk Parakeet lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Netherlands, Morocco, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Guadeloupe.
When to see the Monk Parakeet
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Orange-chinned ParakeetBrotogeris jugularisThe orange-chinned parakeet is 18 to 19 cm (7.1 to 7.5 in) long and weighs between 53 and 65 g (1.9 and 2.3 oz).
Red-lored AmazonAmazona autumnalisThe red-lored amazon is 32–35 centimetres (13–14 in) in length, with a weight of 310–480 g.
Blue-headed ParrotPionus menstruusThe blue-headed parrot is about 28 cm (11 in) long and weighs 245 g (8.6 oz).
Side by side: Monk Parakeet vs Orange-chinned Parakeet · Monk Parakeet vs Red-lored Amazon · Blue-headed Parrot vs Monk Parakeet
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