Monk Parakeet

Monk Parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus)

The Monk Parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus) is a South American parrot of the family of the actual parrot and the only species of the genus. It is the only species of parrot he builds large nests of twigs. Monk parakeets have, besides collar parakeets as Neozooen the widest distribution on.

Dissemination

The monk parakeet is native to South America. The natural range is located in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay. He is also to be found in Chile, the U.S., Western Europe (Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) and Israel as a new citizen ( neozoon ).

Exterior Features

The Monk Parakeet is mainly green and has the typical long tail parrot. The forehead is bluish- gray, the rest of the head and the chest are gray. The beak is light brown and the iris dark brown. Monk parakeets have a gray eye-ring and gray feet. The primaries are blue and black, the under-wing light gray and pale blue. The tail feathers show up a blue and green drawing, the underside is lined with light green to light blue. Males and females are colored alike and externally indistinguishable. For secure distinction therefore a gene or blood test must be used. There are several subspecies, which differ only slightly, for example, in size as well as a blue color variant.

Behavior

Monk parakeets build in trees and palm trees large communal nests. This is a phenomenon among the parrot birds that are cavity nesters in general. It is interesting that the nests are divided into " apartments " that are each occupied by a couple. Each " apartment " consists of multiple specialized chambers for sleeping, brooding and stay. The nests out Airdropped juveniles are built near the adult birds. Monk parakeets lay five to six eggs, which they incubate 22-23 days. The young fledge after 42 to 45 days and about two to three weeks after leaving the nest independently.