Head to head
Nanday Parakeet vs Monk Parakeet
Nanday Parakeet
VS Monk Parakeet
Both are South American parakeets that have successfully established wild populations far outside their native range, but their distinguishing features and nesting habits differ.
| Nanday Parakeet | Monk Parakeet | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Aratinga nenday | Myiopsitta monachus |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Distinguishing feature | Black hood | Pale grey face and chest |
| Nesting behaviour | Not specifically unique | Builds elaborate communal stick nests |
| Native range | Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| Introduced range | Florida, California | Numerous cities worldwide |
| Social behaviour | Large, vocal flocks | Highly social, constant contact calls |
| Diet | Fruit, seeds, flowers | Seeds, grains, fruit, buds |
Nanday Parakeet vs Monk Parakeet: common questions
Which parakeet has a more unusual nesting habit?
The monk parakeet does, as the only parrot species known to build an elaborate stick nest rather than nesting in a tree cavity, a behaviour not shared by the nanday parakeet.
Which parakeet has established introduced populations more widely?
The monk parakeet has, forming invasive populations in numerous cities worldwide, compared to the nanday parakeet's more limited introduced range in parts of Florida and California.
How can you tell these two parakeets apart?
The nanday parakeet shows a striking black hood against a green body, while the monk parakeet displays a pale grey face and chest.