Quaker (Monk) Parakeet

People usually look up Quaker (monk) parakeets for one of two reasons: they’re considering one as a pet, or they’ve noticed free-flying green parrots and bulky stick nests on power poles and want to know what they’re dealing with. The details matter. A bird that’s charming in a lounge room can be a serious problem around electrical infrastructure, and the rules around keeping and moving birds can be stricter than many expect.

Below is a clear, grounded profile of the species—what it looks and sounds like, where it lives, how it breeds, what it eats, and the practical realities of keeping one in Australia.

Quaker (monk) parakeet: quick facts

• Common names: Quaker parakeet, monk parakeet, monk parrot
• Scientific name: Myiopsitta monachus
• Adult size: about 29 cm long; wingspan around 48 cm¹
• Adult weight: often around 90–130 g (varies by sex and population)^{1, 2}
• Colour: mostly green with a pale grey face and greyish breast; blue tones in flight feathers and tail¹
• Voice: loud, busy chatter with sharp squawks—often the first clue they’re nearby²
• Global conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN)³

Identification: what you’re looking at

At a glance, a Quaker parakeet is a compact, long-tailed green parrot with a pale grey “bib” across the face and upper chest. In good light you’ll catch cooler blue tones in the wings and tail. The beak is stout and usually pale orange to horn-coloured, built for cracking seed and stripping plant material.¹

In groups, they move with purpose—fast, direct flight between feeding spots and nest sites, calling constantly to keep contact. The sound carries further than the bird itself, especially in built-up areas.²

Where they live (and where they’ve turned up)

Quaker parakeets are native to temperate and subtropical South America. They’ve also established wild, self-sustaining populations in parts of North America and Europe, largely through escapes and releases from the pet trade.¹

They cope well with human-altered landscapes—parks, streetscapes, orchards, farm edges—so long as there’s food and somewhere to build. Their nesting style is the key: instead of using tree hollows like many parrots, they build large stick nests that can become multi-chambered “apartment blocks”.^{1, 4}

Australia: what “common” really means

In Australia, Quaker parakeets are mainly encountered as captive birds rather than widespread wild populations. Requirements vary by state and council area, and some jurisdictions focus heavily on secure housing and preventing release—because a few birds in the wrong place can become a long-term problem.⁴

Diet: what they eat in the wild and in care

In the wild, Quaker parakeets feed on a mix of seeds, fruit, buds, shoots and other plant material, changing with season and local availability. In agricultural areas they may target grain and orchard crops when the timing suits them.⁴

In captivity, aim for a balanced base diet rather than an all-seed mix. A good routine is:

• Most days: formulated parrot pellets (appropriate size) as the main ration.
• Daily additions: vegetables and leafy greens; small serves of fruit.
• Limited extras: seed/nuts as treats or training rewards (energy-dense, easy to overdo).
• Water: fresh daily.

For calcium support, many keepers provide a cuttlebone or mineral source, but diet planning is best done with an avian vet—especially for breeding birds or birds with a history of egg-laying issues.⁵

Behaviour and social life

Quaker parakeets are strongly social. In the wild, they gather in flocks and coordinate movements with constant calls. The same wiring shows up in captivity: many individuals want frequent interaction, and they notice routines, voices, and small changes in their environment.¹

They’re also capable builders. Given access to sticks, they may try to “renovate” their enclosure, wedge material into corners, or construct dense piles. This is normal behaviour, but in a house it can turn into persistent chewing and rearranging—particularly if the bird is bored or under-stimulated.

A note on noise and “talking”

Some Quakers learn words and household sounds, but the more reliable trait is volume. Their natural contact calls are loud, and they often vocalise at sunrise, during excitement, or when they feel separated from the action.²

Breeding and nesting

In suitable conditions, Quaker parakeets commonly nest once a year. Clutch size is often in the range of 4–7 eggs, and incubation is roughly three weeks, though timing varies with conditions and sources.^{6, 4}

The standout feature is the nest itself: a large, communal stick structure with multiple chambers. These nests can be built in trees, but also on human structures—especially power poles and substations—where the warmth and stable platforms suit them all too well.^{1, 4}

Why they’re treated as pests in some places

In parts of their introduced range, Quaker parakeets are managed as pests largely because of their nest-building. Heavy stick nests on power infrastructure can cause outages, equipment damage, and fire risk. They can also raid crops and compete with local species in certain settings, depending on habitat and food availability.⁴

Keeping a Quaker parakeet as a pet in Australia: practical realities

A Quaker can be a deeply engaging pet: alert, active, quick to learn patterns, and often keen to interact. The trade-off is that they’re not a “low-maintenance” bird. Plan around noise, chewing, and the daily need for enrichment.

Pros

• Bright, watchful behaviour: they explore, manipulate objects, and learn routines quickly.
• Social nature: many individuals seek frequent interaction and may do well with structured training.
• Long-lived: a well-cared-for bird can be a decades-long commitment (not a short project).^{2, 7}

Cons

• Noise: natural calls are sharp and persistent, especially in the morning and when excited.
• Destructiveness: strong chewing and “building” instincts mean furniture, cords and timber trims can suffer without supervision and safe outlets.
• Territorial moments: some birds become possessive of cages, nest-like spaces, or favourite people—management and training matter.
• Legal and biosecurity constraints: importing pet birds into Australia is tightly controlled and, for most people, only certain movements (such as from New Zealand under specific conditions) may be possible. Always check current rules before making plans to buy or move a bird across borders.^{8, 9}

Conservation status and the bigger picture

Globally, the species is listed as Least Concern, which means it isn’t currently considered close to extinction at a global scale. That doesn’t cancel out local problems: in some places it’s protected wildlife; in others it’s controlled as an invasive species. Both can be true, depending on where the birds are living and what they’re doing there.³

References

1. Wikipedia – Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
2. World Parrot Trust – Monk Parakeet
3. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – search: Myiopsitta monachus
4. Business Queensland – Monk parakeet (biosecurity, impacts, nesting, legal notes)
5. RSPCA Knowledgebase – How do I care for my parrot?
6. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) – Myiopsitta monachus
7. BirdFact – Monk Parakeet facts (size and lifespan overview)
8. Australian Government DAFF – Importing your pet bird
9. Australian Government DCCEEW – Live Import List (overview and rules)