A quick check of eBird indicates that Monk Parakeets are pretty widespread across the United States but it’s probably not news that they aren’t native. As far as I know, the birds that we encounter here in North America are a side effect of the pet trade.

I always enjoy watching parrots, they are so social and each one seems to have its own personality and they always seem to be doing something entertaining. I guess that is why they are so popular as pets. Another reason that I love seeing Monk Parakeets is that they remind me of seeing them in the Pantanal of Brazil building nests in the bottom of a huge Jabiru nest.

These birds, however, were in the exotic location known as the Texas City Dike where a group of about 30 birds seemed to be eating any vegetation they could get their beaks on.

www.texastargetbirds.com

_MG_5774-web

Myiopsitta monachus