Monk Parakeet

Myiopsitta monachus

Also known as: Monk Parrakeet

Predict Sightings

Habitat

Mid-canopy

Diet

PlantSeed

Active Time

Diurnal

Size

120 g

About This Species

Look and listen for it in urban parks and suburban trees, where its harsh, chattering calls and bulky stick nests built in tree tops or on utility structures are unmistakable. Unlike most parrots, it builds a communal stick nest rather than using a cavity, and these structures are often visible year-round on tall trees or pylons. It is active by day, foraging in small noisy flocks on seeds, fruit and blossom, most visibly in early morning.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

Observe from a distance with binoculars rather than approaching nest structures directly, since these are often colonial and disturbance can affect multiple pairs at once.
As a non-native species in much of its introduced range it is not always covered by the same protections as native birds, and local regulations on control or removal vary considerably by country and state, so check local rules before assuming any status.
In its native South American range, general wildlife protection law applies as for other native species.

LCAvesPsittaciformesPsittacidae

Seasonal Activity

790,310 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae

Traits

Diet: PlantSeed
Foraging: Mid-canopy
Activity: Diurnal
Body mass: 120 g

Photo

CC-BY-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.