Quaker Parrots building a nest in the Pantanal, Brazil
Quaker Parrot, (Myiopsitta monachus) aka Monk Parakeets are native to the Pantanal in Brazil and northern Argentina.
Quaker Parrot Habitat
Self-sustaining feral populations have been recorded in several US states and various countries of Europe (namely Spain, Gibraltar, Italy, Great Britain and Belgium), as well as in Brazil, Israel, Bermuda, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico and Japan. As it is an open woodlands species, it adapts readily to urban areas.
In areas where they have been introduced, some fear that they will harm crops and native species. Evidence of harm caused by feral colonies is disputed, and many people oppose killing this charismatic bird. However, there have been local bans and eradication programs in some areas of the USA. Outside the USA, introduced populations do not appear to raise similar controversy, presumably because of smaller numbers of birds, or because their settlement in urban areas does not pose a threat to agricultural production. The UK appears to have changed its view on its feral populations and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to remove Monk Parakeets from the wild,[12] as it believes that they threaten local wildlife and crops.
WHERE TO SEE THEM
The easiest place to see them in their native habitat is the Pantanal, Brazil. It is also pretty easy to find them in the USA, especially Brooklyn, Edgewater and several cities in Florida.
AVIAN ARCHITECTS
They build some pretty amazing communal nests, here are some photos of them I took in the Pantanal, Brooklyn and Edgewater.
Although this is a pet Quaker, you can see the construction technique up close.
LEARN MORE ABOUT QUAKERS
WILD QUAKER PHOTOS
A few I took in the Pantanal and USA.
