US, TX - Help ID'ing this ... parrot? (1 Viewer)

[erisian.pope]

Rumor has it that we have a population of now-wild parrots here in Austin. This would be due to a pet-store closing. I've seen a couple of these birds around town. Does anyone know what it is? (Google searching suggests Monk Parakeets - is this accurate?)

Also, how do people classify birds like this? They are presumably not native here, and are presumably the result of domestic birds that were set "free" and have naturalized...? I would assume that releasing pet species into the wild is not condoned (seems pretty terrible to me) but would these be classified similarly to other introduced species (like European Starlings in the US) or is there another way to describe this kind of process?

(If this topic is a faux-pas overall, please let me know and forgive my blunder!)

 

[White*Kite]

Yes, Monk Parakeet.

 

[j0hnguy]

yes, its a monk parakeet

 

[AlexC]

Monk Parakeets have established populations in various cities all over the U.S. - shoreline of CT (my stomping grounds), NY, I've read IL, OR, I'm sure FL...

I'm pretty sure that if there's a population in Austin it's not the result of a pet store closing recently.

"Monk Parakeets were first found in Austin during the early 1980s, and have bred here for over 20 years."

Blog link: http://birdchaser.blogspot.com/2006/02/back-in-austin.html

I assume their status varies state-to-state, but at least in CT we viewed them as a self-sustaining, introduced population - like House Sparrows, European Starlings, or Rock Pigeons. Except prettier. And prone to nest on our powerlines... (big debate).

 

[erisian.pope]

Thank you all!

 

[JCLynn]

I beg to differ and reckon it's a Quaker Parakeet! :-O

as a ps: the wild populations of these communal nesting parakeets were not from 'domestic stock'. They appear to be naturally extending their range northwards from south america.

 

[AlexC]

as a ps: the wild populations of these communal nesting parakeets were not from 'domestic stock'. They appear to be naturally extending their range northwards from south america.

I'm assuming your postscript was meant as a joke...?

 

[JCLynn]

I'm assuming your postscript was meant as a joke...?

Correct assumption! :-O, unless they stowed away in coffee crates.