The Psittacidae family includes tiny species of real parrots, such as the Monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus). It is indigenous to Argentina and the neighboring South American nations’ temperate to subtropical regions. There are several locations with self-sustaining feral populations, mostly in North America and Europe. These populations reside in urban areas and are a threat to local bird species as well as crops.
Appearance of Monk Parakeets
The upper parts of the Monk parakeet are vivid green. The underparts are extremely light green to yellow, with deeper scalloping on the pale gray forehead and breast. The tail is long and tapered, and the remiges are dark blue. The bill has an orange hue to it.
Native Town
Argentina and the neighboring South American nations are home to monk parakeets. Numerous states in the United States and different parts of Europe have reported having self-sustaining feral populations. They are well suited to urban environments and may be found in forests and semi-arid savannas.
Habits and Lifestyle
Extremely social birds, monk parakeets reside in colonies where they build their nests. They are nocturnal and feed and groom each other for the most of the day. These gregarious birds use their beaks to climb among trees and gather food, or they may drop to the ground to gather berries or seeds that have fallen. They return to their shared roost location at dark to sleep. Monkey parakeets make a lot of noise. They use’skveet’ screeches in addition to their powerful, throaty ‘chape(-yee)’ or ‘quak quaki quak-wi quarr’ cry.
GROUP NAME: flock, company, pandemonium
LIFESTYLE: Arboreal, Altricial, Terrestrial, Oviparous
SEASONAL BEHAVIOR: Not a migrant
Nutrition and Diet
Grass-eating animals, monk parakeets are herbivores. They mostly devour plant seeds, although they will also eat fruits, berries, leaf buds, flowers, nuts, and insects.
Diet
- Granivore
- Herbivore
Mating Habits
Because they are monogamous, monk parakeets create enduring, solid pair relationships. Between October and February is when they breed. Rather than using a hole in a tree, these birds construct a stick nest in a tree or on an artificial structure. They frequently build a single, big nest with individual entrances for each partner in a colonial breeding pattern. 5 to 12 white eggs are laid by females, and they typically hatch in 24 days. The altricial chicks have yellowish down coverings and hatch blindly. When the young are ready to leave the nest, which normally happens 40–50 days after hatching, both parents feed them. By the time juvenile birds are two years old, they attain reproductive maturity.
MATING BEHAVIOR: Monogamy
INCUBATION PERIOD: 24 days
INDEPENDENT AGE: 40-50 days
FEMALE NAME : Hen
MALE NAME: Cock
BABY NAME: Chick
CLUTCH SIZE: 5-12 eggs
Population
Twenty million birds make up the Monk parakeet’s entire breeding population, according to the All About Birds webpage. The IUCN Red List now classifies this species as Least Concern (LC), and as of right now, its numbers are growing.
Threats to the Population
Monk parakeets are common and well-distributed across their entire range. Although these birds are not threatened, they are frequently targeted as agricultural pests in some places.
Facts
- With reference to the mouse-grey face and underparts, the genus name of the Monk parakeet combines the Ancient Greek ‘mus, muos’ meaning ‘mouse’ with the New Latin ‘psitta’ meaning ‘parrot’. The specific epithet “monachus,” which means “monk,” is derived from Late Latin.
- The only parrot that constructs a stick nest rather from using tree cavities is the monk parakeet.
- Unusually for a parrot, Monk parakeet pairings may have helpers that aid with feeding the chicks. These helpers are typically grown children.
- Monk parakeets have been known to nest in enormous colonies in the wild, where pairs of birds live in separate “apartments” as big as small cars. Numerous additional occupants, including as animals and birds of prey like the spot-winged falconet and yellow-billed teal ducks, might be drawn to these nests.
- Monk parakeets are gregarious, extremely clever birds. In captivity, they might pick up on mimicking human speech.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Monk parakeet, with a breeding population of approximately twenty million individuals, is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Despite being considered common and well-distributed across its range, these birds face challenges as they are often targeted as agricultural pests in certain regions. However, their population is currently on the rise. Known for their unique nesting behavior, intelligence, and social nature, Monk parakeets exhibit fascinating characteristics that set them apart from other parrot species. As we continue to learn more about these birds and their behaviors, efforts to conserve and protect their populations can be better informed.