# Monk Parakeet (*Myiopsitta monachus*)

The monk parakeet (*Myiopsitta monachus*) is a bird of the family Psittacidae, in the order Psittaciformes.

> The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), also called the Quaker parrot, is a green-and-grey parakeet from south-eastern South America. It is the only parrot that builds its own large, communal stick nests instead of using a tree hole. Escaped pets have founded wild colonies in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Brooklyn and Chicago. It is listed as Least Concern and increasing.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN-style):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Lowlands of Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil and Argentina. Feral colonies live in Spain, Italy, the United States and elsewhere.
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/monk-parakeet/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Psittaciformes
- **Family:** Psittacidae
- **Genus:** Myiopsitta

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Myiopsitta monachus |
| Other name | Quaker parrot |
| Diet | Seeds, fruit, buds, flowers and crops |
| Habitat | Open woodland, savanna, farmland and city parks |
| Length | 28–33 cm (11–13 in) including the tail |
| Lifespan | About 22 years recorded in captivity |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2018) |

## Stick-nest builders

Every other parrot nests in a cavity. Monk parakeets weave bulky nests from twigs in trees, on pylons or on buildings. Several pairs add chambers to the same structure, which can grow into a large communal nest used all year for roosting as well as breeding.

## Identification

It is bright green above with a pale grey forehead, cheeks and throat, a grey breast with scalloped edges, a yellow-green belly, blue flight feathers and a pale orange-pink bill. The tail is long and pointed. Flocks are loud and chattering.

## Native and feral range

The native range covers lowland Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil and Argentina. Because the species is common in the pet trade, escaped birds have formed colonies in Spain, Italy, Belgium, the United States, Mexico and other countries.

## Status

BirdLife International lists the monk parakeet as Least Concern (2018) with an increasing trend. Its nests on electricity poles can cause power cuts, and some countries control feral populations.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a monk parakeet the same as a Quaker parrot?

Yes. 'Quaker parrot' is a common pet-trade name for the monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus.

### Why are there monk parakeets in Madrid and New York?

They descend from escaped or released pets. Their stick nests and tolerance of cold let them survive and breed in cities far from South America.

### Do monk parakeets build nests?

Yes. They are the only parrots that build their own stick nests, often large communal structures with separate chambers.

### How long do monk parakeets live?

About 22 years has been recorded in captivity. Wild lifespans are not well documented.

## Sources

- [BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/monk-parakeet-myiopsitta-monachus)
- [Animal Diversity Web: Myiopsitta monachus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Myiopsitta_monachus/)
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
- [Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.](https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/)

## Help protect the Monk Parakeet

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/monk-parakeet/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.