Nanday Parakeet

Fascinating facts about the Nanday Parakeet

• At 27–30 cm long and 140 g heavy, the nanday parakeet carries a bold black facial mask that makes it instantly recognizable.
• Genetic studies placed the nanday in the Aratinga genus, revealing it shares a recent common ancestor with the sun conure.
• Feral populations have taken root far from their South American home, establishing self-sustaining colonies in Israel, Tenerife, Los Angeles, San Antonio and multiple Florida counties, proving the species’ adaptability to urban landscapes worldwide.
• In the wild, females lay three or four eggs in tree holes, and after fledging the youngsters, the birds gather in large communal roosts until the next breeding season, highlighting the importance of social nesting for survival.
• The longest verified captive lifespan is 18.7 years, though some birds have reportedly reached 30 years, showing that with proper space, an aviary of 2–3 metres long, and mental enrichment, these parrots can enjoy decades of companionship.

At a glance

About the Nanday Parakeet

The nanday parakeet, Aratinga nenday, is a striking medium-small Neotropical parrot measuring 27–30 cm (11–12 in) and weighing about 140 g (4.9 oz). Its vivid green plumage is framed by a bold black facial mask and beak, while its wings bear contrasting black trailing flight feathers and a long tail tipped in blue. The upper chest glows with a bluish-green hue, the lower chest a softer green, and the thighs flash crimson feathers, a splash of color that often goes unnoticed until the bird is perched close. In the wild, these birds inhabit scrub forests, forest clearings near settlements, open savannahs, pastures, and stockyards across a range that stretches from southeast Bolivia through southwest Brazil, central Paraguay, and northern Argentina, especially the Pantanal region. They are gregarious, forming large communal roosts after breeding, and are known to nest in tree cavities, laying three or four eggs per clutch. Their diet is eclectic, seeds, fruit, palm nuts, berries, flowers, and buds, allowing them to exploit both natural foraging grounds and human-provided bird feeders when they become feral. A surprising trait is their adaptability: released caged birds have established self-sustaining populations far beyond their native range, from Israel and Tenerife to multiple counties in Florida and cities like Los Angeles and San Antonio, demonstrating a resilience that mirrors their energetic, noisy personalities.

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