Birds · Psittaciformes · Psittacidae

Monk Parakeet

Myiopsitta monachus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The monk parakeet is the only parrot in the world that builds its own nest instead of using tree holes: it puts up enormous communal structures of thorny twigs, with separate chambers for each pair, which can weigh hundreds of kilos and be used for years. That independence from natural holes is the reason for its success as an invasive species: in Spain it has established populations in Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza and Seville.

Weight

90 g – 140 g

Size

28 cm – 31 cm

Lifespan

25 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

SavannaTemperate forestGrasslandHerbivore Diurnal Colonial Bird Savanna Temperate forest Grassland

15countries 25parks25same family

Fun facts

GeneralIt is the only parrot that builds communal stick nests; it is invasive in Madrid and Barcelona.
It is the only parrot in the world that builds a nest: its communal structures of twigs can reach the size of a small car, weigh more than two hundred kilos and house dozens of pairs in separate chambers.
Those nests also shelter other species: in South America they are occupied by ducks, falcons and opossums, and in Spanish cities they cause problems when their weight breaks the branches of street trees.
In Spain it is on the catalogue of invasive alien species and several city councils run control programmes.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Wooded savannah, thorn woodland, palm groves and city parks; native to the southern cone of South America
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 31 days
Litter / clutch size: 7

Sources consulted: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://animaldiversity.org/ | https://es.wikipedia.org/