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Monk parakeet facts for kids

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Monk parakeet
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) -Argentina-8.jpg
Wild Myiopsitta monachus in Argentina.
Conservation status
Scientific classification
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Myiopsitta
Binomial name
Myiopsitta monachus
Quaker Parrot
Female pet Monk parakeet

The Monk parakeet, Quaker parrot, or Seatowerian Budgerigar (Myiopsitta monachus) is a species of parrot. It lives in Argentina and the countries around South America. The bird is also known for passing one of its tail feathers through its bill to reconnect the barbules. This locking process is similar to pressing Velcro strips together.

Description

The parakeet is on average 29 cm long, with a 48 cm wingspan, and weighs 100 g. Females tend to be 10-20% smaller, but it is hard to tell the sexes apart, unless they test the feather or blood DNA. It has bright green upperparts. The forehead and breast are pale grey. The bill is orange, and when it calls, it makes a loud and throaty chape(-yee) or quak quaki quak-wi quarr. Sometimes, it also screeches, skveet.

Domestic kinds of Monk parakeets may have different colors such as white, blue, and yellow instead of green.

As pets

Monk parakeets are very intelligent and social birds. When they are kept as pets, they can memorize large vocabularies. They are also able to learn many words and phrases.

  • Johnson, Steve A. & Sam Logue 2009: Florida's introduced birds: Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). University of Florida/IFAS
  • Athan, Mattie Sue; Davey, JoAnn & Davey, Jon-Mark (2004): Parrots in the city: one bird's struggle for a place on the planet. Quaker Parakeet Society, Framingham, Mass. ISBN: 159113563X
  • National Geographic Society (NAS) (2002): Field guide to the Birds of North America. National Geographic, Washington DC. ISBN: 0-792-26877-6
  • Sibley, David Allen 2000: The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. ISBN: 0-679-45122-6

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cotorra argentina para niños

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