Monk Parakeet - Myiopsitta monachus

Monk Parakeet *Myiopsitta monachus* [MLZ 66003](https://arctos.database.museum/guid/MLZ:Bird:66003) 11 April 1961 Gualeguay, Argentina Collected by Philip S. Humphrey and Kenneth C. Parkes Physical specimen held by the Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA The Monk Parakeet is the only parrot that is not a cavity nester. Instead of excavating a cavity, they will build large communal stick-nests, which allows them to adapt to a wide variety of environments. In addition to their unique nesting style, Monk Parakeets are generalists in both diet and physiology, being able to withstand hot and cold temperatures. In fact, this has allowed these parakeets to become established in large cities (such as Chicago) well-away from their native range in South America.