First established in New York and New Jersey, Monk Parakeets have established breeding colonies in such areas as Virginia, North Carolina, Florida , Ohio, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, California, and Hawaii. At first many believed it could not survive the cold winters of the northeast, but it has proven to be prolific. It is a hardy bird and adapts well to the cold. The impact of the Monk Parakeet in the U.S. is unknown. It has earned the status of potential pest, due primarily to its reputation in its native range.
Many experts feel that there is no cause for alarm, though.
The bird s aggressive nature have caused it to compete with native species for food and nesting sites. The Monk Parakeet has also been introduced in Europe. Small breeding populations have also been reported in the city parks of Amsterdam and in Paris. Since the Monk Parakeet has a reputation of being a pest, there have been attempts to eradicate and control their populations. These include poisoning, shooting, netting, and destroying nests.