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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Nanday Parakeet

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Name

Nanday Parakeet

Scientific Name

(Aratinga nenday)

Why they are special:
  • A bright green parakeet with a black head, often seen in noisy flocks flying over open areas.

  • Originally native to South America, they have established thriving feral populations in Florida, especially in urban and suburban areas.

  • At Felts and around Manatee County, their chatter and color bring a tropical flair to the bird list.
Size and color:
  • A medium-sized parrot, about 11–12 inches long with a wingspan of 18 inches.

  • Bright green overall with a distinct black head (“hood”), red patches on the legs, and long, tapered tail feathers with blue highlights.

  • Very striking in flight, with flashes of blue and green.
Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round residents where populations are established.

  • In Manatee County, small flocks can be seen regularly in suburban areas and occasionally near Felts.
Habitat:
  • Adaptable birds that thrive in urban parks, pastures, and open woodlands.

  • Often perch on snags, power lines, or palm tops, where their loud calls make them easy to find.
Diet:
  • Eat seeds, fruits, nuts, and buds, often foraging in palm trees or at feeders.

  • Opportunistic and sometimes gather in agricultural fields.
Behavior:
  • Highly social, flying in tight, noisy flocks.

  • Very vocal—loud, harsh calls often give them away before they are seen.

  • Nest in cavities, including palm trees and old woodpecker holes.
Conservation notes:
  • Though non-native, they are considered established in Florida and are part of the state’s recognized birding records.

  • Their impact on native species is still being studied, but they are popular among birders for their charisma.
Best time to see:
  • Year-round, often in the morning and evening when they move between roosting and feeding sites.

  • At Felts, listen for flocks flying overhead or perched in the pasture trees.
Fun Fact:
  • Also called the “Black-hooded Parakeet,” Nandays are among the loudest parrots in Florida—their squawking calls can carry for over half a mile!
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