Monk parakeet

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Monk parakeet
Monk Parakeet in the zoo

Monk Parakeet in the zoo

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Parrots (Psittaciformes)
Family : True parrots (Psittacidae)
Tribe : New World Parrots (Arini)
Genre : Monk Parakeets ( Myiopsitta )
Type : Monk parakeet
Scientific name
Myiopsitta monachus
( Boddaert , 1783)
Parakeet couple nesting on a palm tree in the Botanical Garden in Cadiz (Spain)

The monk parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus ) is a South American parrot from the family of actual parrots and the only member of the genus. It is the only parrot species to build large nests out of twigs. Monk parakeets have, besides collar parakeets as Neozooen the widest distribution from the order of parrots.

distribution

The monk parakeet is native to South America. The natural range is in Argentina , Brazil , Uruguay , Bolivia and Paraguay . He can also be found in Chile , the USA and Western and Southern Europe ( Great Britain , the Netherlands , Belgium , France , Germany , Portugal , Spain , Italy and Greece ) as well as in Israel as a new citizen ( Neozoon ).

External features

The monk parakeet is predominantly green and has the typical long parrot tail. The forehead is bluish-gray, the rest of the head and the chest are gray. The beak is light brown and the iris is dark brown. Monk Parakeets have gray eye rings and gray feet. The wings of the hand are blue and black, the lower wings light gray and pale bluish. The tail feathers show a blue and green pattern on top, the underside is lined with light green to light blue. Males and females are equally colored and externally indistinguishable. A gene or blood test must therefore be used to differentiate reliably. There are several subspecies that differ only slightly e.g. B. differ in size, as well as a blue color variant.

behavior

Wild bird eats out of your hand on Fuerteventura

Monk Parakeets build large community nests in trees and palms . This is a peculiarity among the parrot birds, which are usually cave breeders. The nests are divided into "apartments", each of which is inhabited by a couple. Each “apartment” in turn consists of several specialized chambers for sleeping, brooding and staying. The nests of young birds that have flown out are built near the adult birds. Monk Parakeets lay five to six eggs and incubate them for 22 to 23 days. The young fledglings after 42 to 45 days and about two to three weeks after flying out independently.

Web links

Commons : Black Parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files