Monk parakeets, also known as Quaker parrots, are small bright green parrots with gray breasts that originated in South America. However, over the past few decades, large populations of monk parakeets have become established in the United States, particularly in Florida and New York. So how did these small parrots make their way from South America all the way to the USA?
The Original Range of Monk Parakeets
Monk parakeets are native to the temperate and subtropical regions of South America. Their natural range stretches across central and southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina. They tend to inhabit lowlands areas, savannas, open woodlands and agricultural areas within their native range. Monk parakeets build large, elaborate stick nests high up in trees, often nesting colonially with other pairs of parakeets. Their natural range does not extend north of Panama, so their presence in the United States and elsewhere far exceeds their native boundaries.
Theories on How Monk Parakeets Reached the USA
There are a few main theories about how monk parakeets first arrived in the United States:
- Intentional releases of pets – Some of the earliest populations may have been established when pet parakeets were intentionally released by owners.
- Accidental escape from captivity – Monk parakeets were popular pets in the United States beginning in the 1960s and 1970s. Some may have escaped accidentally from households or pet shops.
- Pet trade imports – Monk parakeets were imported to the United States for the pet trade beginning in the 1960s. Some may have escaped at ports of entry such as airports.
- Smuggling – There was a demand for monk parakeets on the U.S. black market for exotic pets in the 1960s and 1970s. Some may have been smuggled in and escaped from captivity.
It is likely that multiple introductions through various means led to the establishment of the first feral monk parakeet populations in the United States. Once present, the populations grew rapidly since the suitable warm climate allowed them to easily breed and spread.
When Monk Parakeets First Arrived in the USA
Records and anecdotal reports indicate that monk parakeets were already present in small numbers in the United States in the late 1960s. For example:
- In 1967, a breeding population was recorded in the Miami area of Florida.
- In 1968, a breeding pair was recorded in New York City.
- In the early 1970s, populations were noted in multiple locations in Florida like St. Petersburg, Lakeland, and Boca Raton.
These early sightings reveal that monk parakeets had already begun to establish populations at the southern and northern tips of Florida in the late 1960s. From these beachheads, the populations exploded over the next few decades across Florida and elsewhere.
Spread of Monk Parakeets Across the USA
After their initial introduction, monk parakeet populations grew and expanded their range across many parts of the United States between 1970 and 2000, especially in warmer climates. Here is an overview of their spread across different regions:
Florida
Florida has long hosted the largest populations of monk parakeets in the United States. After their arrival in the late 1960s, monk parakeets were increasingly reported across southern Florida through the 1970s. By the early 1980s, thousands of monk parakeets were living in the Miami metro area. Breeding populations continue to proliferate across South Florida today.
New York Tri-State Area
After monk parakeets became established in south Florida in the late 1960s, the New York City area was one of their next stops. Populations likely descended from released or escaped pets thrived across New York City, Long Island and nearby parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. Their largest nesting colonies are found at college campuses across the region.
California
Monk parakeets spread to California beginning in the 1970s. Breeding populations became well-established across southern California by the 1990s, especially in the greater Los Angeles area. Additional populations later cropped up in the San Francisco Bay area.
Elsewhere
Beyond the main centers of population in Florida, New York and California, monk parakeets have been reported in smaller numbers across many other warm areas of the southern and coastal United States, including Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Oregon, Washington State, and more. They tend to be limited to urban and suburban areas that provide artificial heat and food sources.
Estimates of Current Monk Parakeet Population in USA
Due to their rapid spread across three major hubs, current estimates place the entire monk parakeet population in the United States at:
- Florida – Approximately 100,000 to 300,000 parakeets statewide
- New York / New Jersey – Approximately 30,000 to 100,000 parakeets in NYC metro area
- California – Approximately 10,000 to 30,000 parakeets statewide
This puts the total US monk parakeet population at around 150,000 to 400,000 or more. However, their secretive behaviors and adaptations to urban environments make them difficult to fully count. Their populations continue to expand to new cities today.
Ecological Impacts of Introduced Monk Parakeets
The large monk parakeet populations have had some ecological impacts in areas where they have become established in the United States:
Competing with Native Cavity Nesting Species
Monk parakeets build massive nests out of twigs high up in trees. These nests allow monk parakeets to outcompete many native birds and squirrels for nesting cavities. Species such as eastern bluebirds have seen declines in areas with monk parakeets.
| Species | Type | Nest Site Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern bluebird | Songbird | High – relies on cavities |
| Tufted titmouse | Songbird | Moderate – relies on cavities |
| Eastern gray squirrel | Tree squirrel | High – relies on tree cavities |
Damage to Trees and Infrastructure
The bulky nests built by monk parakeets can damage trees and man-made structures such as utility poles. Their chewing and nesting habits can overload branches and power lines, causing power outages.
Agricultural Damage
Monk parakeets will forage on a variety of fruit, seed and grain crops. Large flocks can damage crops and orchards, especially when other food becomes scarce. Most damage occurs on small farms and in backyard gardens.
Potential to Spread Disease
Monk parakeets congregate in large, dense colonies where diseases can spread rapidly. There are concerns they could spread diseases to humans, pets, or local wildlife. However, they have not been implicated in major outbreaks so far.
Attempts to Control or Eradicate Monk Parakeets
There have been some localized efforts to control or eradicate monk parakeet populations when they cause problems, especially in Florida and New York. Control methods have included:
- Nest Removal – Removing nests disrupts breeding attempts. However, parakeets will often rebuild nests in the same location.
- Trapping – Live-trapping and euthanizing parakeets can reduce localized populations. Labor-intensive and controversial.
- Toxic Perches – Applying pesticides to nest sites parakeets use. Can kill other birds and raises environmental concerns.
- Birth Control – Feeding parakeets chemically-treated bait could reduce fertility rates. Still experimental.
Despite control efforts, monk parakeet populations remain well-established and are likely a permanent part of urban ecosystems in warm climates of the United States.
Conclusion
In summary, monk parakeets originally from South America established breeding populations at several locations in the United States in the late 1960s, likely from intentional and accidental releases of pets. From these initial beachheads in Florida and New York, the parakeets spread rapidly over the next few decades across the southern and coastal U.S. due to their adaptability to urban habitats. Current populations are estimated between 150,000 to 400,000 nationwide and continue to grow and expand to new areas. The introduced monk parakeets can damage crops, infrastructure and compete with native species for nest sites. However, attempts to control their populations have had limited success. Monk parakeets now appear to be a permanent part of the avian landscape in many warmer urban and suburban areas across the United States.
