Monk Parakeet Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A fairly small parakeet with a long, pointed tail and fairly narrow, pointed wings. Like other parakeets, they have large heads and large, hooked bills.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a European Starling; smaller than a Rock Pigeon.

  between robin and crow

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 17.7-20.9 in (45-53 cm)
    • Weight: 3.2-4.2 oz (90-120 g)

  © Mike Cameron / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Monk Parakeets are green with a gray face and breast. The bill is pale pink. In flight, the primary and outer secondary flight feathers are blue.

• Behavior

  These noisy birds are often seen and heard traveling between their nests and feeding sites. Adults forage for seeds, nuts, fruits, and greens. Look for them in small flocks in trees (where they can be hard to pick out against the green leaves). They sometimes also feed on the ground.
• Habitat

  In their native South America, Monk Parakeets live in dry, open habitats. In the U.S. they live in urban and suburban settings, where they feed on ornamental fruit trees and often nest on human structures such as power transformers. They are established in many U.S. cities including San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Providence, Miami, and St. Petersburg.