Myiopsitta monachus
Characteristics of the Quaker Parrot or Monk Parakeet
Length: Anywhere from 29 to 30 cm ( 11" to 12" )
Weight: Anywhere from 115 grams to 150 grams
Young; Slightly smaller and have a shorter tail. The grey forehead more tinged with green.
Adults: The forehead and crown is a very pale greenish grey. The cheeks, lores and throat are grey and the grey breast feathers are tipped with white. The back of the head, neck, back, rump, wings and uppertail feathers are a medium green. With the brightest green on the wings and tail. The primary feathers are blue and black. The under wing coverts area are light grey and bluish. The thighs are a bright lime green. The undertail feathers are pale green with a pale blue on the outer edge. The iris is dark brown. The beak is a tan colour and the legs are grey.
Origin: The range is from Central Bolivia and southern Brazil to central Argentina.
Habitat: The lowlands, savannahs, open forests, woods, along water courses, orchards and farmland. This is the only parrot that builds its own nest. Being a very sociable species, it is found in large flocks and nests in large colonies. The nests are constructed of twigs which are firmly woven. Which are suspended from the ends of branches. Inside, they use no lining. The entrance is usually on the underside. Also, it could be on the side, were a protective enclosed front perch is added on. Numerous pairs will build onto the original nest to make many more apartments. This structure can weigh as much as a quarter of a ton.
Subspecies: There are 3 subspecies.
Myiopsitta m. calita - Mendoza Grey Breasted Parakeet
They are smaller and the bluish tinge on the forehead and crown is non-existent. They have a yellowish-green abdomen that has a bluish tinge to it. They have a yellow breast band and the bill is smaller. Around 27 cm ( 10.5" ) in length.
Distribution is in Western Argentina from Salta, Santiago de Estero and western Cordola S. to Mendoza and la Pampa.
Myiopsitta m. cotorra - Paraguayan Grey Breasted Parakeet
They have a much brighter green to the whole area of the head. The breast band is grey. Around 27 cm ( 10.5" ) in length.
Distribution is in SE Bolivia in the province of Tirija and SW Mato Grosso, Brazil, S. Paraguay and Argentina in the provinces of Formosa and Chaco.
Myiopsitta m. luschsi - Bolivian Grey Breasted Parakeet
They have the forehead and the crown a whitish grey. The throat and breast is a whitish pale grey without the edging. The band to the abdomen is yellowish. Around 30 cm ( 12" ) in length.
Distribution is in Bolivia in the province of Cochabamba.
Captivity: They are a very peaceful, pleasant species. Their reputation as screamers is over exaggerated. Sexual maturity is after a year. Recommended breeding is at 2 years of age. This species can be bred successfully, housed in a very large cage of 2' x 2.5' x 3' and also in a flight. The nest box can be 12" x 12" x 16" high with the entrance diameter measuring 3 ". They can lay anywhere from 4 to 8 eggs with the average being 5 to 6 eggs. The incubation time is about 25 to 26 days. With the hen doing most of the incubation. After about six weeks, the young leave the nest. They usually double and sometimes even triple clutch per season.
Mutations: The most well known mutation is the blue, which originated in Belgium. Then the cinnamon which has red-eyes. The cinnamon blues which has red-eyes, pallids ( dark eyed cinnamons ), pallid blues ( dark eyed cinnamon blues ), aquas ( aquamarines ), dark-eyed yellows, lutinos and albinos, dark-eyed whites, grey, greygreen. The last 4 being the most rare colours.
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" 6 baby Quakers " out of "Olivia" & "Newton John"
Pictured here on June 7, 2001
Ages 65 to 75 days old
Photo/Bred by Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Sunny" out of "Olivia" & "Newton John"
DNA sexed Hen
Age 49 days on May 12, 2001
Bred by Darlene & Kevin Johnson
Owner/Photo Charlotte Fowler in Ontario
" Luther " out of " Olivia " & " Newton John "
Age 13 weeks old on January 3, 2002
Photo/Bred by Darlene & Kevin Johnson
Owner: John Fogal in Ontario
HOLD MOUSE OVER PHOTO - 2 photos
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QUAKER PARROTS FROM EGGS TO WEANING
"Olivia" & "Newton John" 7 eggs
March 22, 2001
shown with a quarter
Photo Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" quakers
Ages 3 and 1 day old
March 26, 2001
Photo/Bred by
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" quakers
Back Left 1, 11, 5, 9, 3 and 7 day old
April 4, 2001
Photo/Bred by
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" quakers
Back left 8, 14, 6, 10, 12 & 4 days old
April 7, 2001
Photo/Bred by
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" quakers from left to right
AGES 18 & 16 days old
April 11, 2001
Photo/Bred by
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" quakers
Left 21, 19, 23 & 25 days old
April 18, 2001
Photo/Bred by
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" quakers
Front left 24, Back left 26, Front
center 34, Middle 30, Back right 32 and
Front right 28 days old
April 27 2001
Photo/Bred by Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" green quaker parrots
AGES 37 to 47 days old
May 10, 2001
Photo/Bred by
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" green quaker parrots
AGES 37 to 47 days old
May 10, 2001
Photo/ Bred by
Darlene & Kevin Johnson
"Olivia" & "Newton John" starting to wean green quaker parrots
<<<<<<<< Pictured here on June 7, 2001
AGES 65 to 75 days old
Photo/Bred by Darlene & Kevin Johnson
This page was last updated on: February 20, 2008
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