Embedded Files
Monk Parakeet
Myiopsitta monachusMonk Parakeet
“Mrs. Doris Wilton reports that the Monk Parakeet is still in residence in the Lake Road area of Webster. The bird has been in the area since September 16. It seems to be finding ample food, including grapes that were inadvertently left out.” “Other Monk Parakeets seen in this area: one at 141 Sixth Street, Rochester . . .which was captured by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Colucci on October 1st and is now kept in a cage as a pet, and one at 455 Oakridge Drive, Irondequoit . . . seen in July by Mrs. Janet Kesel.”(GOS, December 1972)
Background
Native to South America, this popular cage bird has been escaping and flying free in the U.S. since the 1960s. It is now the most abundant naturalized parrot species in the U.S., resident in portions of 11 states, and in cities as far north as Chicago, Ill.; Portland, Ore., and Bridgeport, Conn. From 1968 to 1972, more than 64,000 Monk Parakeets were imported to the U.S. Some were released by their owners; others escaped from damaged shipping crates; still others, kept by zoos, were intentionally released. “Early on, it was feared that this parakeet would thrive in its new home, ravaging crops as its range expanded,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. “Over the years, however, this threat has not materialized and in many areas efforts to retrieve wild parakeets have been discontinued.” This is the only species in the parrot family that does not nest in a cavity, instead building stick structures that can house a single nest or be a larger complex with a dozen or more separate chambers, using it year-round to help it survive in colder climates. (BNA 322: 1-2 ) New York City undertook vigorous but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to eradicate it, in part because of those incredibly large, bulky nests. (See photos in Bull, pp. 322-323). Each floodlight at the soccer field at Brooklyn College, for example, had a bulky nest in 2007. (“Parrots at home in Brooklyn,” D&C, 9 April 2007)
Status
The Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as an exotic, very rare visitant.
Occurrence
The Monroe County annotated list indicated three records: 16-26 September 1972; 25 September -26 December 1976; and 22 September 1984. “These records may be of escaped birds,” it added.The occasion of the first documented sighting of this exotic species in Monroe County “ may not be one for celebration,” John Brown noted. “There is no way of knowing if the Webster bird is a local escapee or if it moved in here from some other area.” (BA, 28 September 1972) The same uncertainty remained in 2006, when NYSARC noted that the species appears to be non-migratory in North America. Hence, any appearances outside of established populations (e.g. in the New York City area and Chicago) would have to remain of uncertain origin. “The fact that the species remains a popular cage bird leaves room for spontaneous appearances (i.e. escapees) away from established feral populations.” (KB 56:21) [Editor: Five were seen near the West Ridge Mall in Greece between 2012 and 2015 with a roost/nest in the cell tower. By 2015, only 1 was left and then none. Origins unknown.]
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