Guide to North American Birds
Family African and New World Parrots
Habitat In its native South America it is found more frequently in open woodlands, savannas, and may prefer disturbed savannas and towns. In the U.S. it prefers open habitat, towns and will commonly be found alongside the similar White-winged Parakeet, even nesting in the same tree.
Native to tropical South America, east of the Andes and south of the Amazon, these small parakeets are popular cagebirds. Escapees from captivity have become locally common around some cities in southern Florida and southern California. They are usually seen flying in small, noisy flocks.

Photo Gallery

Nesting

4-5 eggs are laid in cavities in dead trees and palm fronds.

Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
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Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds

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Songs and Calls

Short squawks, and a chatter reminiscent of a slower, lower, red squirrel chatter. Noisy and incessant in flight. Quieter when in perched flocks.
Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others.
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