Birds
Nanday Parakeet
Aratinga nenday · also called black-hooded parakeet
Calling loudly as it moves in a noisy flock, a nanday parakeet shows off its distinctive black hood against bright green plumage, a South American native now also found breeding freely in parts of Florida and California.
Overview
The nanday parakeet, Aratinga nenday, is a Least Concern bird native to grassland and savanna across central South America, including parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Its striking black-hooded appearance, highly social flocking behaviour, and success establishing introduced populations far outside its native range make it one of the more recognizable and adaptable Neotropical parakeets.
A parrot that travels well
Following escapes and releases from the pet trade, the nanday parakeet has formed lasting, self-sustaining populations in parts of the United States, a successful establishment outside its native range shared by relatively few parrot species.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across both its native central South American range and its introduced populations elsewhere.
Nanday Parakeet: common questions
Why is the nanday parakeet also called the black-hooded parakeet?
It shows a distinctive black head and face against an otherwise bright green body, a feature that inspired the alternative common name black-hooded parakeet.
Where did the nanday parakeet become established outside South America?
It has formed self-sustaining introduced populations in parts of the United States, including Florida and California, following escapes and releases from the pet trade.
Is the nanday parakeet social?
Yes, it is highly social, forming large, vocal flocks that move and feed together, frequently calling loudly in flight.
Where is the nanday parakeet native to?
It is native to grassland and savanna habitat across parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.