Monk Parakeet, Quaker Parrot (Myiopsitta monachus)

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Myiopsitta Species: monachus Profile: 7 positives 1 neutral No negatives Regional... This bird has been reportedly found in the following regions: Stamford, Connecticut Cheval, Florida Citrus Park, Florida Fort Lauderdale, Florida Miami, Florida Oldsmar, Florida Palm Shores, Florida South Bradenton, Florida Kenner, Louisiana Metairie, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana (2 reports) Lynbrook, New York Macalester, Oklahoma Austin, Texas (2 reports) Houston, Texas Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Positive CarrieLynne On Apr 14, 2009, CarrieLynne from Boise, ID wrote: 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 were going to land on him and bite his ears. :) Positive Fires_in_motion On Jan 30, 2011, Fires_in_motion from Vacherie, LA (Zone 9a) wrote: 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. Positive ladygold On Mar 18, 2011, ladygold from Houston, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: 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. Neutral 1e9l3h7 On Apr 11, 2011, 1e9l3h7 from Rio Rancho, NM wrote: 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??? Positive Tortured_Muse On Apr 25, 2011, Tortured_Muse from Bastrop, TX wrote: 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"). Positive jjsvt On Apr 13, 2012, jjsvt from Saint Albans, VT (Zone 4a) wrote: Yes, the Quakers are still in the Chicago area. There populations are smaller, but; they are still there. Jan Santor Quaker Parakeet Society Positive Macaroni2 On May 20, 2012, Macaroni2 from Houston, TX wrote: They live in our Magnolia subdivision near the ship channel in Southeast Houston. Great little characters, gregarious and fun. Positive LennyBache On Sep 5, 2012, LennyBache from McAlester, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: 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 butter on bread sandwich; she pinches me on my shoulder repeatedly until I share a bite with her. Discovered her sex when she laid an egg on two occasions. Apparently, she was hand fed and is approximately two years old. A nice companion since I retired. Reminds me of a nagging wife when the A/C is turned to low or I turn out the light to go to sleep.

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