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Monk Parakeet

Myiopsitta monachusOrder: PSITTACIFORMESFamily: Parakeets and Parrots (Psittacidae)
Monk Parakeet Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Hooked
  • Eye color: Brown iris
  • Head Pattern: Plain
  • Crown color: Gray
  • Forehead color: Gray
  • Nape Color: Green
  • Throat color: Gray
  • Cere color:
Splitbar
Monk Parakeet Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 27-30 cm (11-12 in)
  • Weight: 99 g (3.5 oz)
  • Size: Size 3. Medium (9 - 16 in)
  • Color: Green, Gray
  • Underparts: Gray and yellow.
  • Upperparts: Green
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Barred or banded
Monk Parakeet Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 43-45 cm (17-18 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Pointed Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Green
  • Under Tail: Green
  • Leg color: Gray
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Family
Species Myiopsitta monachus
Length11 - 12 Inches
Wingspan17.5 Inches

Monk Parakeet

Monk Parakeet: Medium parakeet, green overall, gray forehead, cheeks, lores, throat. Breast is gray, variably barred by dark edges on feathers. Pale pink bill. Belly; lower back, and rump are yellow-green. Wings are dull green with blue flight feathers. Tail is green above with central blue shafts.

● Song: "chape", "chape-yee", "kurr"

● Foraging & Feeding: Monk Parakeet: Eats legumes, grains, seeds, leaf buds, fruits, berries, nuts, blossoms, and insects; searches for food around human habitations, foraging in flocks on the ground and in trees.

● Breeding & nesting: Monk Parakeet: Five to nine white eggs are laid in a nest made of sticks and twigs built by both parents, sometimes with the help of other birds in colony. Nest is built in the highest branches of a tree or on a tall structure. Incubation ranges from 25 to 31 days and is carried out by both parents. Usually raises two broods per year.

● Similar species: Monk Parakeet: White-winged Parakeet is smaller, yellow-green overall, shows yellow-and-white patch on wings, and lacks gray on face, crown, and breast.

Flight Pattern

Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Monk Parakeet Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Monk Parakeet: Native of South America; introduced to North America, establishing feral populations in and around cities from New England to the midwest, southeast Texas, and Florida; south Florida supports the largest population. Found in suburban and urban environments, particularly city parks.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationRare
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight3.5 Ounces