Photo Gallery	Birding Locations	FL State Bird	Bird Links	Your Letters
Bird Lists	Our Store	Purple Martins	Rare Bird Phones	Weather

LETTERS

WAS IT A PARROT?

Cheryl Writes...

-----Original Message-----
From: Cheryl
To:
Subject: parrot

I was visiting Treasure Island, Florida this week-end and saw several green birds with black heads. They looked like some kind of parrots. Can you tell me anymore about these birds?
Thanks.

The Jay School Corporation
www.jayschools.k12.in.us

Our Reply...

Hi Cheryl:

We have only one resident "Parrot" that fits your description: a green bird with a black head. My best guess is that you saw the Black-hooded Parakeet (Nanday Conure). This bird is about 12 inches tall, (long) with a wingspan of 23 inches. They are found mainly in Florida and California, but sometimes seen elsewhere in the United States.

These feral birds are not native to the United States, but live in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Here in the United States, they are classed as feral birds because they are not native to the locations where they now live. In the United States, they were imported and either released intentionally or escaped from their owners. The weather, food sources and lack of natural predators have allowed these birds to establish themselves in Central and South Florida and Southern California.

The Black-hooded Parakeet has several other distinguishing characteristics in addition to its green body and black head:

1. An almond shaped, yellow eye ring
2. Red feathers on the legs, just above the feet
3. Dark blue secondaries that contrast with the green covers
4. A pale yellow rump

Their primary diet consists of seeds and fruit.

For additional information and a photograph of the Black-hooded Parakeet see the following website:

Black-hooded Parakeet - Photo

Regards,

Chuck

Questions, requests or comments, just email us: