Detailed information on Monk Parakeet, Quaker Parrot (Myiopsitta monachus)

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wandygirl

Brookfield, CT | March 2017 | Neutral

I wanted to own one of these lively birds, but they are not available for sale legally in CT. Their habit of building huge, communal nests on utility poles is bad for the electric grid when they short out the wires and catch fire. Not too good for the birds either.

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LennyBache

McAlester, OK (Zone 7a) | September 2012 | Positive

I rescued Peatree from an unhappy home over a year ago, the teenager refused to abide by his parents' rules for his chores. Peatree acclimated to me and my home after about two weeks. It was easy to teach to step up and ride around on my shoulder. I did experience a lot of nips of her beak to learn her limits and desires. Still working on her speech, presently it is "Pretty Girl", quite clear and distinct, "Pee Pee", as I leave the room; mostly just whistles, but very assertive and smart. At home, she has full rights to fly around the house, but will only fly to bedroom to watch TV with me. Poops about every thirty minutes, so appropriate placement measures must be observed. She has taught me to understand when she wants a bite of my snack, she loves seedless grapes, apple, peanut but... read more

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Macaroni2

Houston, TX | May 2012 | Positive

They live in our Magnolia subdivision near the ship channel in Southeast Houston. Great little characters, gregarious and fun.

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jjsvt

Saint Albans, VT (Zone 4a) | April 2012 | Positive

Yes, the Quakers are still in the Chicago area. There populations are smaller, but; they are still there.
Jan Santor
Quaker Parakeet Society

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Tortured_Muse

Youngsville, NC (Zone 7b) | April 2011 | Positive

These birds can be seen "wild" at UT Whitaker Field, also at various feeders and sites around east central Austin, TX. (You can also see some user-submitted pictures of them from locations around Austin by going to Yelp.com/Austin and searching for "Wild Parrots of East Austin").

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1e9l3h7

Rio Rancho, NM | April 2011 | Neutral

I wonder if???
in the 1980's there were Monk Parakeets nesting in the Hyde park area on Chicago's South side and also by a nursery on North Main Street Wheaton.
Still there???

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ladygold

Houston, TX (Zone 8a) | March 2011 | Positive

There is a population of these feral parrots at Seabrook Shipyard. There are at least two nests on the high tension power structures. Hurricane Ike in September 2008 apparently destroyed the nests and we didn't see the birds for some time. But they are back and fun to watch.

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Fires_in_motion

Vacherie, LA (Zone 9a) | January 2011 | Positive

These loud squawkers are somewhat common in the New Orleans area, with their roost of choice being the Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) and the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera). If you really want to see them, your best bet is up near the Lakefront and City Park (e.g. by the tennis courts), though the P. dactyliferas by the Convention Center downtown harbor a nice population of them as well. Why anyone would want to keep a bird as boisterous, aggressive and free-roaming as this one as a pet in a cage is beyond me.

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CarrieLynne

Boise, ID | April 2009 | Positive

I've owned a Quaker Parrot for fifteen years... he was born in captivity and he's quite remarkable... for those who want a smaller bird as a pet that has the same thought-processes and speaking ability as a large bird such as an African Gray, I think that Quakers are a great alternative. Duncan likes people, enjoys company, is only moderately noisy (as far as birds go) and seems to be hardier than most birds as far as both illnesses and neurotic behaviours that can sometimes develop. He dislikes my husband intensely (and the feeling is mutual now) but as long as they're well socialized at an early age, I think they make good family birds.

We saw a colony of ferral Quakers when we were in New Orleans before Katrina. I was amazed and entranced, my husband was sure that they w... read more

Monk Parakeet, Quaker Parrot

Myiopsitta monachus

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