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We recorded for first time the nesting site of the Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) to the south of the Chilpancingo city, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. On 6 August 2015 a nest with two individuals of M. monachus were observed on a Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta). On 21 February 2016, we found a second nest with four individuals on a eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus spp.). With this data, it is confirmed the breeder status of this invasive species in the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present data on presence and abundance, and nesting activity of the exotic monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) in the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula. The monk parakeet was recorded for the first time in November 2012 at the town of Chametla, 7 km North of La Paz city and since then the monk parakeet has increased its numbers. We recorded nesting activity between May-August 2013 and May-August 2014. Nests were built on Mexican fan (Washingtonia robusta, 75%) and coconut (Cocos nucífera, 25%) palms. Monk parakeets were observed feeding on fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), mesquite (Prosopis sp.), tamarin (Tamarindus indica), guamuchil (Pithecellobium dulce) and pearlberry (Vallesia glabra), and remains of human waste foods. Finally, we discuss the potential implications of the establishment of this exotic species in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) have been in Florida for >40 yrs, having been imported by the thousands for the pet trade. This conspicuous, charismatic species is now widely established, but relatively little is known about its population biology outside South America. We examined 845 parakeets from 385 nests from nest removals and collections by utility company personnel in 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 to document body size and aspects of reproductive biology and primary molt. Body measurements confirm Monk Parakeets in south Florida belong to the monachus subspecies. Adult males averaged 1.5 to 3.5% larger than females, but the body mass of females exceeded that of males during March-May, the period of egg development. The breeding season in south Florida commences in late winter/early spring with fledglings first appearing in the second week of June. Nest contents (eggs plus nestlings) averaged 5.6 for multiple-entry nests compared to 4.9 for single-entry nests. Over 94% of the adults we examined were replacing primary feathers during June-August. The extent and timing of breeding and molt in south Florida are virtually identical to those in South America, although offset by ∼6 months. Monk Parakeets in south Florida retain a fixed annual cycle characteristic of the ancestral population, but their flexible behavior enables them to adapt and thrive in new environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the United States, managers lack safe, effective methods to control expanding populations of the invasive monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). Because the reproductive inhibitor diazacon (20,25 diazacholesterol) has been used effectively in captive monk parakeets, we provided diazacon-treated sunflower seeds to birds at electric utility substations inhabited by parakeets in south Florida, USA. Nest productivity (nestlings plus eggs with embryos) averaged 1.31 (SE = 0.45, n = 100 nests) at 6 treated sites compared to 4.15 (SE = 0.68, n = 50 nests) at 4 untreated sites, a 68.4% reduction. Exposure of native bird species to treated bait was infrequent. Diazacon is an effective means to reduce reproductive success of monk parakeets, and development of methods to limit exposure of nontarget birds will enable more widespread use of this useful population management technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we determine favourable areas for the monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus, in peninsular Spain to account for its current distribution and predict its future course according to its potential range. We applied a favourability function based on generalized linear models using the presence/absence of breeding colonies of the species and the values of a set of variables on the 5167 UTM 10 × 10 km squares comprising the study area. We calculated the factor of distribution change in presences predicted by the model, and grouped the variables into explanatory factors performing a variation partitioning to assess the explanatory power of each factor. Our model included six predictors to explain the presence and absence of the species. These predictors were grouped into three factors: human activity, climate, and topography. Purely human influences accounted for 63.8% of the variation of the final model, while topographical variables explained 15.2% and climate only 5.7%. We obtained a high distribution change factor in which the presences of the species were predicted to increase between two- and sevenfold. Taking into account highly favourable squares, we conclude that the species is still absent in more than 72% of potential settlement areas, and thus we expect a continuous increase in the distribution of the species. Human activity is the main force moulding the distribution of the species, and lies behind its fast expansion, which is not only active, but is also passive via releases and escapes. We identified the areas of likely future expansion of the exotic monk parakeet in Spain. The pest status of the species in its native range, together to its distribution trend, should be taken into account by wildlife agencies to consider options for management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsatellite loci were characterized for the monk parakeet ( Myiopsitta monachus) from a GT n-enriched genomic library. Twelve of 14 microsatellite loci were polymorphic, averaging 6.7 alleles per locus across the 20 individuals genotyped. Mean expected heterozygosity was 0.72, with locus-specific values ranging from 0.53 to 0.90. An equally high multilocus probability of identity (2.48 × 10−12) was revealed for this set of loci. In addition, all 12 loci were demonstrated to cross-amplify to varying extents within three additional parrot genera suggesting their potential utility for population-level studies in a broad range of Neotropical psittacines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]