English             -             Monk Parakeet

Portuguese     -              Caturrita

Latin                 -              Myiopsitta monachus

These wee parrots were a common site around the Pantanal, especially at Passo do Lontra park hotel, the hotel we were staying at in the Pantanal. On the way to breakfast we would pass dozens of them feeding at the bird feeders. It was more common to see them early in the morning as by late morning and in the afternoon they would hide in the trees to escape the heat. (when we were there it was getting up to 37-38 degrees) Like most in the parrot family the Monk Parakeet is a very social and noisy bird. If you weren’t awake by 6.30 am, you soon would be. The Monk Parakeets also had nest sites within the grounds of the hotel as well. Very approachable bird. it was very easy to get close up photos of them as they didn’t mind you getting to close to them.

* In most taxonomies, The Monk Parakeet is classified as the only member of the genus Myiopsitta

* The Monk Parakeet is a relatively small parrot. Up to 29 cm in length. Weighs 140g and a wingspan of 53 cm.

* It is also known as the Quaker parrot.

* It’s a very vocal bird. It utters different sounds, such as screeches, squawks, screams, and continuous chatter.

* It is native to Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.

* It has been introduced to the US, Europe, Israel, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Canary Islands and Japan.

* Its natural habitat is dry, semi-open woodland, scrubland and savannah, generally in lowlands.

* In countries where it has been introduced, it lives in urban areas within cities.

* The Monk Parakeet is mainly granivorous, feeding on plants seeds, seeds of maize and sunflower, according to the season. It also consumes leaf buds, blossoms, fruits, nuts, berries and insects.

* It is the only parrot that builds a stick nest, in a tree or on a man-made structure, rather than using a hole in a tree.

* The female lays up to 12 eggs which are incubated for 24 days. The nestlings will fledge after 6 weeks.

* The Monk Parakeet is a widespread and abundant species, and its population is increasing both in its native and introduced ranges. In its native range, this species is spreading as the planting of eucalyptus trees in otherwise treeless areas has increased the availability of nesting sites. Partial deforestation of other areas and increases in crop production also favour this small parrot, which is now seen as a pest in parts of it’s range. The Monk Parakeet is also a popular species in the pet trade, it has been heavily traded and large numbers occur in captivity. It is however classified as a Species ”of least concern” on the IUCN red list.