Nandayus nenday (Vieillot, 1823)

Description

Size and General Appearance

The nanday parakeet is 27–30 cm (11–12 in) long, weighs 140 g (4.9 oz), and is mostly green in color.

Facial Features

Its most distinctive feature, which gives the species its name, is its black facial mask and beak.

Wing and Tail Traits

It also has black trailing flight feathers on its wings and a long tail edged with blue at the tip.

Body Plumage Details

Its upper chest is bluish-green, while its lower chest is a paler green, and the feathers covering its thighs are red.

Distribution

Native Range

This species is native to South America, ranging from southeast Bolivia to southwest Brazil, central Paraguay, and northern Argentina, including the Pantanal region.

Feral Populations

Released caged birds have formed self-sustaining feral populations in Israel, Tenerife, Los Angeles (California), San Antonio (Texas), and multiple counties across Florida in the United States, specifically Pasco, Sarasota, Pinellas, Manatee, Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties.

Diet

Food, feeding, and habitat: This parakeet feeds on seeds, fruit, palm nuts, berries, flowers, and buds.

Feral Feeding Habits

Feral birds will also visit bird feeders.

Native Habitat

Wild nanday parakeets primarily live in scrub forest and forest clearings near settlements.

Range and Pest Status

In their native South America, they are commonly found in open savannah, pastures, and stockyards, and are considered pests in some of these areas.