Quaker Parrots (Monk Parakeets) are prohibited for sale in California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Maine, Connecticut, Colorado, Virginia and Wyoming as it is listed as an agricultural pest.
Note: In Ohio Quakers imported into the state and kept as pets are required to have their wings clipped to prevent flight while housed in Ohio.
Description: The Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), also known as the Quaker Parrot, is a small, bright-green parrot with a greyish breast and greenish-yellow abdomen. The monk parakeet 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. This gregarious species often breeds colonially, building a single large nest with separate entrances for each pair. Monk parakeets are highly intelligent, social birds. Those kept as pets routinely develop vocabularies of scores of words and phrases.
Geography: The Quaker Parrot or Monk Parakeet originates from the temperate to subtropical areas of Argentina, Central Bolivia, southern Brazil and the surrounding countries in South America. Self-sustaining feral populations occur in many places, mainly in North America and Europe.
Song / Call: Click to hear the Quaker Parrot / Monk Parakeet
Size: 11″ long, 10″ wingspan, weighs 3.5 oz.
Life Span: 25-30 years
Sexing: Monomorphic (visually hard to determine sex). DNA testing is available to ensure desired gender.
DNA Testing
If there is no gender option listed for a bird on our website, that particular species is ‘monomorphic’, which means we’re unable to determine gender without purchasing DNA testing. DNA testing is an additional $149 per bird to guarantee preferred gender. DNA testing may add an additional 3-6 plus weeks to estimated delivery time to allow for gender results. See our FAQs for more info.
Temperament: Playful, cheeky, inquisitive, excellent talkers are just some ways to describe these brilliant birds. Socialisation and interaction form an important part of the Quaker Parrots daily routine. This positive training approach should be used to overcome the domineering behaviour that some Quaker parrots may exhibit. They should not be confined to the cage as this may lead to behavioural problems. Physically, the Quaker Parrot is a hardy bird and is able to tolerate cold temperatures well. Quakers are active, inquisitive, mischievous, intelligent, playful, and engaging parrots. Their antics are a constant delight to their owners. They are completely devoted, bonding closely with their human owners. Quakers love their toys and will approach a newly introduced toy much sooner than the average bird. However, they do become bored quickly and enjoy a frequent change in toys. They are also very “mechanically inclined” – being able to figure out most cage locks in no time, and disassembling toys with ease. Quaker Parakeets are usually very vocal and capable talkers, singing songs and picking up extensive vocabularies. Most Quaker Parrots learn to talk at about six months, speaking quite clearly and using their skills most appropriately. They can entertain themselves for hours chirping, whistling and practicing human vocalizations.
Breeding: Quaker Parrots don’t only build their own nests using twigs and other plant material, but they link their nests together to form structures akin to “bird condominiums” with individual chambers and separate nest entrances for each pay. These nesting structures can be the size of a small automobile and weigh 200 lbs (91 kg) or more. Quaker Parrots often breed in colonies, building single large nests wth separate entrances for each pair. The nests are constructed out of sticks situated in trees or on man-made structures, such as radio towers, light poles and electrical utility poles. The exception is the Cliff Parakeets which nests in cliff crevices. Quaker Parrot pairs may have “helper birds” that assist with feeding the chicks – often they are their grown offspring.
Diet: Parakeet Seed, Pellets, Greens
