Monk Parakeet

Myiopsitta monachus

Family: African and New World Parrots · Status: Uncommon introduced resident · Size: 29 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Resident in southeastern South America; widely introduced elsewhere, including Singapore.

Identification

Sexually monomorphic. Distinct from other resident and introduced parrot species. Ashy-grey head, throat, and breast with pale barring; otherwise mostly green on hindcrown, nape, mantle, back, and scapulars. Flight feathers and primary coverts blue; other coverts green. Uppertail green with central blue. Bill horn-coloured, iris brown, legs grey.

Habitat

Urban and open habitats in its introduced range; primarily found in the eastern part of Singapore.

Behaviour

Builds large communal twig-nests rather than using cavities; nests recorded on stadium lights in Singapore.