Bird Guide
Guide to North American Birds
Explore more than 800 North American bird species, learn about their lives and habitats, and how climate change is impacting their ability to survive.
16 birds
Nanday Parakeet
Aratinga nenday
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
Recognized by its black head (and formerly called Black-hooded Parakeet), this species was originally found in the central interior of South America, from southern Brazil to northern Argentina. It has been popular in the cage bird trade, and Nanday Parakeets escaped from captivity have established large feral populations around Los Angeles, in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, and along Florida's southeastern coast. Smaller numbers are seen elsewhere, including other parts of Florida and near Phoenix, Arizona.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Red-crowned Parrot
Amazona viridigenalis
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
When these stocky parrots fly overhead, they may be recognized by their loud cries of heeeyo, cra-cra-cra. Birds escaped from captivity are free-flying (and sometimes nesting) locally in Florida and California; those seen in southern Texas include escapees and possibly also wild strays from Mexico. Ironically, on its limited native range in northeastern Mexico, the species has declined seriously and might even be considered threatened.
Conservation Status
Endangered
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Monk Parakeet
Myiopsitta monachus
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
Most parrots and parakeets nest in holes in trees, but this South American native builds bulky stick nests among the branches, both for raising young and for sleeping in at night. Many North American cities now have local colonies of Monk Parakeets, established by birds escaped from captivity. Despite some dire predictions in the past, these noisy but colorful birds have not yet spread to take over the countryside.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Green Parakeet
Psittacara holochlora
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
The natural range of this well-named parakeet is in Mexico and northern Central America, and its northern limit extends practically to the Texas border. That could help to explain why the species has done so well in the lower Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas in recent years. Green Parakeets escaped from captivity have established feral populations around several of the southernmost Texas cities, and flocks of hundreds can be seen flying around some residential neighborhoods. These flocks may include some wild birds that have strayed across the border from Mexico. Away from southern Texas, escaped individuals may be seen free-flying in practically any warm climate on occasion.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Blue-crowned Parakeet
Thectocercus acuticaudatus
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
This large, long-tailed parakeet is native to dry forest and scrubby habitats in several parts of South America. Birds escaped from captivity have established feral populations around several cities in southern Florida and coastal southern California.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Yellow-headed Parrot
Amazona oratrix
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
Because it can be trained to imitate human speech, this chunky parrot has been popular in the cage bird trade. As a result, it is now endangered in the wild. Formerly widespread in Mexico and northern Central America, it is thought to have declined by 90 percent in it native range. Escaped cage birds have established feral flocks around Los Angeles and San Diego, California, and locally in southern Florida. The few seen in southern Texas are probably escapees also, although some might possibly be wild strays from the population in Mexico.
Conservation Status
Endangered
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Lilac-crowned Parrot
Amazona finschi
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
Native to western Mexico, these chunky parrots are often kept in captivity, and escaped birds may survive for years around southern cities. They are seen regularly in cities of coastal southern California, especially Los Angeles and San Diego. In Texas they are found both in the lower Rio Grande Valley of the southern tip and also around El Paso. Other sightings come from cities of southeastern Florida. In these feral flocks they often mix with related species such as Red-crowned and Yellow-headed Parrots.
Conservation Status
Endangered
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats
Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
Brotogeris chiriri
African and New World Parrots
At a Glance
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.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Habitats