Nanday Parakeet
Parque, Playa de las Américas, Tenerife
What3Words
///fail.talents.occulted
The Nanday parakeet (Aratinga nenday), also known as the black-hooded parakeet or Nanday conure, is a medium-small, mostly green parrot native to central South America. Known for its social nature and distinctive black facial mask, it is a popular but very loud and high-energy pet.
Physical Description:
The Nanday parakeet is about 11 to 12 inches (27–30 cm) long and weighs around 5 ounces (140 g).
Head:
Its most prominent feature is a black facial mask and beak.
Body:
The body is mostly bright green, with a bluish-green upper chest.
Wings and Tail:
It has black trailing flight feathers on its wings, a long tail edged in blue, and a touch of red on its thighs (upper legs).
Gender:
Males and females look alike (monomorphic), requiring a DNA test for sex determination.
Habitat and Distribution:
The species is native to a region of South America encompassing parts of southeast Bolivia, southwest Brazil, central Paraguay, and northern Argentina, particularly the Pantanal wetlands. They prefer open habitats such as savannas, pastures, and forest clearings.
Due to the pet trade, escaped or released birds have established self-sustaining feral populations in several parts of the United States, including Florida, California, and Texas, where they thrive in suburban environments. In many areas, they are considered an invasive species, as they compete with native birds for resources like tree cavities for nesting.
Behavior and Diet
Nanday parakeets are highly social and are typically found in flocks of 10 to 20 birds, sometimes more. They are known for their loud, high-pitched shriek, which often makes them heard before they are seen. When not breeding, they form large communal roosts.
Their diet in the wild consists of a variety of seeds, fruits, palm nuts, berries, flowers, and buds. In areas with human settlements, feral birds will also visit bird feeders.
Nanday Parakeet
Parque, Playa de las Américas, Tenerife
What3Words
///fail.talents.occulted
The Nanday parakeet (Aratinga nenday), also known as the black-hooded parakeet or Nanday conure, is a medium-small, mostly green parrot native to central South America. Known for its social nature and distinctive black facial mask, it is a popular but very loud and high-energy pet.
Physical Description:
The Nanday parakeet is about 11 to 12 inches (27–30 cm) long and weighs around 5 ounces (140 g).
Head:
Its most prominent feature is a black facial mask and beak.
Body:
The body is mostly bright green, with a bluish-green upper chest.
Wings and Tail:
It has black trailing flight feathers on its wings, a long tail edged in blue, and a touch of red on its thighs (upper legs).
Gender:
Males and females look alike (monomorphic), requiring a DNA test for sex determination.
Habitat and Distribution:
The species is native to a region of South America encompassing parts of southeast Bolivia, southwest Brazil, central Paraguay, and northern Argentina, particularly the Pantanal wetlands. They prefer open habitats such as savannas, pastures, and forest clearings.
Due to the pet trade, escaped or released birds have established self-sustaining feral populations in several parts of the United States, including Florida, California, and Texas, where they thrive in suburban environments. In many areas, they are considered an invasive species, as they compete with native birds for resources like tree cavities for nesting.
Behavior and Diet
Nanday parakeets are highly social and are typically found in flocks of 10 to 20 birds, sometimes more. They are known for their loud, high-pitched shriek, which often makes them heard before they are seen. When not breeding, they form large communal roosts.
Their diet in the wild consists of a variety of seeds, fruits, palm nuts, berries, flowers, and buds. In areas with human settlements, feral birds will also visit bird feeders.