The Nanday Parakeet is a noisy, invasive species that’s hard to miss. Their loud, ratchety squawks often draw attention to flocks of bright green birds marked with distinct black heads—hence their nickname, the “black-hooded parakeet.” Once native to Central and South America, Nanday Parakeets became established in Florida after escaping or being released from the pet trade. Today, large feral populations thrive across South Florida, where they pose challenges to farmers by damaging crops and competing with native wildlife for resources.
Similar in size to a crow or robin, the Nanday Parakeet is mostly vivid green with a black head and beak. Subtle blue highlights can appear on the chest, wings, and tail, and a small red patch sits at the base of each leg—though these markings aren’t always obvious. These herbivores feed on seeds, fruits, palm nuts, berries, flowers, and buds. In the wild or captivity, their lifespan typically ranges from 15 to 25 years.