Monk parakeet

The Monk parakeet, Quaker parrot, or Seatowerian Budgerigar (binomial name Myiopsitta monachus) is a species of parrot of the true parrots family. It lives in Argentina and the countries around South America. The bird is also known for passing one of its tail feathers through its bill to reconnect the barbules. This locking process is similar to pressing Velcro strips together.

 Description 
The parakeet is on average 29 cm long, with a 48 cm wingspan, and weighs 100 g. Females tend to be 10-20% smaller, but it is hard to tell the sexes apart, unless they test the feather or blood DNA. It has bright green upperparts. The forehead and breast are pale grey. The bill is orange, and when it calls, it makes a loud and throaty chape(-yee) or quak quaki quak-wi quarr. Sometimes, it also screeches, skveet.Collar (1997a,b), Juniper & Parr (1998)

Domestic kinds of Monk parakeets may have different colors such as white, blue, and yellow instead of green.

 As pets 
Monk parakeets are very intelligent and social birds. When they are kept as pets, they can memorize large vocabularies. They are also able to learn many words and phrases.The vocabulary of a Quaker parrot . Retrieved 2008-JAN-12.

 References 

Further reading
 Johnson, Steve A. & Sam Logue 2009: Florida's introduced birds: Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus).  University of Florida/IFAS
  (2004): Parrots in the city: one bird's struggle for a place on the planet . Quaker Parakeet Society, Framingham, Mass. 
  (2002): Field guide to the Birds of North America. National Geographic, Washington DC. 
  2000: The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 

Category:Parakeets
Category:Birds of South America