Parakeet, Quaker (Myiopsitta monachus)
Animal facts
Size
This parakeet reaches lengths of 29cm with a wingspan of up to 48cm. Females tend to be between 10% and 20% smaller than males.
Habitat and Distribution
This bird originates from Argentina and can cross the border in to other surrounding countries in South America, where it lives in temperate and subtropical forests.
Age
The wild age range of this bird is 15 to 20 years however in captivity they have been recorded as living from 25 to 30 years.
Diet
This bird takes a fairly varied diet ranging from seeds and nuts to a large variety of berries, fruits, leaves and buds.
Groups and Breeding
This parakeet lays 5 to 12 eggs which hatch out after a 24 day incubation.
Threats
This bird is classed as least concern by conservation societies because it has a very healthy population throughout its whole range, even though it is trapped in small numbers for the pet trade, and can often live in areas being converted in to agricultural land and housing. These birds adapt very well however and will turn buildings cropping up in to new alternative nest sites.
Interesting fact's
It is banned in many states in the USA as a pet because it is such a hardy species, able to setup its own colonies in a variety of climates.