Species: Myiopsitta monachus

Origin: South America, including parts of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay. But flocks of escaped birds have also make large colonies in the United States spanning from warm Florida, chilly Chicago and big New York.

Life Span: Around 20-30+ yrs.

Small package, Big parrot
The Quaker Parrot is a medium sized bird, about 11 to 13 inches from his head to the tip of his tail. They are approximately the size of a Cockatiel, although they have a heftier and fuller body. But don't let their relatively small size fool you, these parrots have the ego and intellegence of a Macaw. The Quaker has often been said to be a lot of Parrot in a little package.

The Quakers Coloring
Quakers are usually said to be dull in color, but their attitudes definately make up for their lack of color. The normal Quaker is green with a grayish blue forehead, pale gray lore, cheek and thoat. The feathers on the lower abdomen are a light greenish, almost yellowish color. The nape of the neck,the mantle,and the wings are a brighter olive green. Also, making a beautiful contrast are the primary coverts,outer primaries, and secondary feathers are a bright blue with a greenish blue outline on the edges of the feathers. The tail feathers are usually mostly olive green. The beak is a pinkish-brown color and the eyes are dark brown. Males and females are not sexually dimorphic, meaning they have exactly the same outer appearances, except to other Quakers of course.

Quakers or Monks? Parrots or Parakeets?
In many countries outside of the United States Quaker Parrots are known as Monk Parakeets. This is probably because of their coloring-particulary the contrast between green and gray-looks similar to a monk's cloak and hood. They are most likely called "Quaker" Parrots because of the way they seem to quake or shake when they are chicks and begging for food. I have also heard that their coloring is a lot like a old fashioned Quaker costume, like the man on the Quaker Oats box. Although the real meaning is unknown there are many theories. Also, the Quaker is sometimes referred to as a parakeet because of it's very long tail, which is a common characteristic for parakeets. Although either Parrot or Parakeet is appropriate.