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Why Are Monk Parakeets in North America?


Monk parakeets, also known as Quaker parrots, are adorable green birds that appear in the wild and in captivity. However, if you spot a monk parakeet in North America, theyā€™re not supposed to be there. These birds arenā€™t native to the continent, yet they keep appearing in the wild. So, why are monk parakeets in North America, and why is it bad that theyā€™re there?

A pair of parakeets.
Image by aokcreation via Flickr.

Where Do Monk Parakeets Live?

These birds live in Southern South America year-round, which is their native range. Theyā€™re typically found near grasslands and water sources across Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. In their native range, they build large stick nests or take over unused existing nests.

Unfortunately, itā€™s possible to spot these birds outside of South America. Groups of them live in areas of the United States, such as Florida, New York, Illinois, California, Texas, and Louisiana. These birds arenā€™t part of the native wildlife in the United States, so humans brought them to these regions.

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Why are Monk Parakeets in North America?

Quaker parrots are popular in the pet trade, so the wild ones in North America escaped as pets and then reproduced. The first established populations in the United States appeared in the 1960s. As wild North American populations increased, certain locations made them illegal as pets to prevent the invasive species from expanding rapidly.

What States are Monk Parakeets Illegal in?

These birds can make great pets if properly cared for, which is why they became so popular in the pet trade. Yet, their popularity in North America could do more harm than good since pet parakeets keep ending up in the wild and hurting the ecosystem.

Invasive birds on a bird feeder
Image by U.S. Department of Agriculture via Flickr.

To prevent these invasive birds from ending up in North Americaā€™s ecosystem, many states have laws against owning one. If you live in the following states, you cannot have a pet monk parakeet:

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

The laws are always changing, so even if your state isnā€™t on this list, double check your local laws. Even the states that allow these birds as pets may have specific restrictions for owning them, so itā€™s good to know your stateā€™s rules.

Risks of Monk Parakeets in North America

If youā€™ve seen a wild Quaker parrot before, youā€™re probably wondering whatā€™s so bad about them being in North America. Theyā€™re adorable little birds, so on the surface, it seems fun to spot them in the wild. Yet, there are many downsides to having species that donā€™t belong enter a new area.

Invasive Species

Since monk parakeets arenā€™t from North America, theyā€™re an invasive species, meaning they could harm the local ecosystem. They compete with local birds for food and nesting spots, which could harm local bird populations. Even if theyā€™re not directly hurting other wild animals, having an animal thatā€™s not supposed to be there can cause issues for the native ecosystem.

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A monk parakeet eating berries.
Image by James Falleti via Flickr.

Aggression

While these birds are usually friendly in captivity, they can be aggressive in the wild. They may become territorial over their nests, causing them to attack animals and humans they perceive as threats. This could cause them to hurt native North American birds that get too close to their nests.

Nesting Habits

Monk parakeets build massive nests that appear as a mound of sticks. One nest can include over 20 nest chambers. Dozens of birds can live in one nest structure. These nests fit in seamlessly with the grasslands and forests of South America, but when Quaker parrots roam free in big cities in North America, issues can arise.

In cities, these birds frequently build their nests on power lines and electric utility structures. Research indicates that these nest locations can damage equipment, lead to electrical fires, and cause power outages. The nests may be larger in northern states, such as New York, to protect these birds from the cold. Even if someone removes the nests, the birds will often rebuild them quickly in the same spots.

Large nests destroy infrastructure.
Image by Alex Roukis via Flickr.

Diseases

Wild Quaker parrots could also carry diseases that they could spread to humans and wildlife. Psittacosis and Newcastle disease are two serious diseases these birds could carry. Psittacosis can be fatal for humans while Newcastle disease is highly dangerous for birds, including livestock like chickens.

Are There Benefits to Monk Parakeets in North America?

When it comes to invasive species, people typically focus on the negative effects, but can there be positive ones? A 2021 study suggests that there may be some positive aspects to this species in North America. 

Theyā€™re the only parrot species that builds massive nests out of sticks, and their unique nest structure can offer shelter for other bird species too. If other species live in these nests with monk parakeets, they work together to defend the nest instead of attacking each other.

The large nest of a monk parakeet.
Image by Diane E Reynolds via Flickr.

If the birds living in these nests are native species, that could be beneficial. However, if more invasive species enter the nest, issues could arise. Thus, it depends on the situation, but in some cases, monk parakeets could be helping native birds instead of hurting them.

What Can We Do About Monk Parakeets in North America?

Unfortunately, there isnā€™t much we can do to control these birds in North America. They can quickly rebuild nests, so removing nests isnā€™t beneficial. Many locations donā€™t allow you to remove birds from the wild either. Itā€™s best to just leave them be and let environmental officials handle them if necessary.

The best thing we can do to prevent invasive populations from growing is to not own them as pets in states that donā€™t allow it. Anyone who has a pet monk parakeet in North America should take extra precautions to ensure thereā€™s no way for the bird to escape their home.

Monk parakeets live in South America, but you may also see them in North America because of escaped pets. Always be cautious when owning an exotic pet like one of these green birds. Make sure the pets you own are legal and safely secured in your home.

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