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The Monk Parakeet

The Monk Parakeet. Morgan Wright. Natural History of Monk Parakeet . Also known as Quaker Parrot Appeared in US for first time in early 1970s Colonies were established within 17 states Known for causing substantial crop damage

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The Monk Parakeet

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  1. The Monk Parakeet Morgan Wright

  2. Natural History of Monk Parakeet • Also known as Quaker Parrot • Appeared in US for first time in early 1970s • Colonies were established within 17 states • Known for causing substantial crop damage • The Monk Parakeet is native to South American and subtropical areas of Argentina

  3. General Information about The Monk Parakeet • Has an average size of about 11 ½ inches • Typically have a bright green body • Use beak to build large durable nests that can last throughout the year including cold winters • Only parrot that builds a stick nest; typically on a tree or on a man-made structure • Large birth size; averaging at 7 eggs and high hatching rates • Tendency toform colonies • Colony distress calls: • Warn colony members of approaching prey or danger • Colonies contain non-breeding mature adults who can begin to breed if a large number of breeding monks die

  4. When was it brought here? Was it intentional or non-intentional? • Imported into the United States as pets during 1960s and 1980s • 65,000 Monk Parakeets were imported into the US between 1968-1972 • Non-intentionally released by pet owners and careless importers • By 1975 this species had been reported from 30 states • Mainly in Florida, California, Illinois, and New York

  5. How does it specifically impact the ecosystem? • Local crop damage • Causing over one billion dollars in damage to farmers each year • Electric Utility Industry • Habit of constructing large nests of sticks and branches on utility poles, transmission towers, and electric substations • Wet nest material will then cause short circuits and power outages • Possible carriers of Newcastle disease • Contagious bird disease affecting many domestic bird species including poultry

  6. Have we done anything to try and control or prevent its spread? • Visual Deterrence: red laser tactic used to scare parakeets temporarily from nest sites • Trapping and Nest Removal • Habitat Alteration: change where the nests of birds are located • One solution is to place birds in pet trade; costing only about $150 per states

  7. Bibliography • http://www.knottybits.com/bio648/monkparrot.html • http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/birds/monk-parakeet/ • http://www.knottybits.com/bio648/monkparrot.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_Parakeet

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