Also called the Quaker — the only parrot that builds a communal stick nest, and the only one that is outright illegal in parts of the United States.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Myiopsitta monachus |
| Origin | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay |
| Length | 29 cm (11 in) |
| Weight | 90–120 g (3.2–4.2 oz) |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years |
| Noise level | Moderate to high |
| Experience | Intermediate |
| Conservation | Least Concern |
Temperament
Bold, talkative and unusually confident for their size. Monks are strong talkers with clear voices and a well-known enthusiasm for construction, weaving anything available into nest structures. That same drive can make mature birds territorial about their cage.
Care
Straightforward husbandry — pelleted diet, fresh vegetables, plenty of out-of-cage time — with the addition of safe nesting and weaving material to satisfy the building instinct. Denying that outlet entirely tends to produce frustration behaviours.
Notes
Feral colonies established from escaped birds across the United States and Europe have led several US states to restrict or ban ownership outright, on agricultural grounds. Check state and local law before acquiring one; the restrictions are real and enforced.