They have thick, hooked bills; zygodactyl feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward; and muscular tongues. The upper mandible of their bill is hinged to their skull and their lower mandible fits under the upper mandible. Their hinged mandible and muscular tongue allow them to easily move food around in their mouths! Most species eat seeds and fruits, but some species also eat insects. They are found in South America, Central America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Most species live in forests in pairs or small groups. There was once a species found in the southeastern United States, the Carolina parakeet, but it is now extinct. Some species in this order can mimic human speech. The budgerigar is a common pet and has established itself in locations around the country. The budgerigar is the parakeet common in pet stores. It is native to Australia. There are breeding populations of budgerigars in along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The monk or Quaker parakeet is native to
Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil. Feral breeding colonies can be found in Florida, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Texas, and
Louisiana among other states.
World Status Key US Status Key
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Least Concern 
Near Threatened 
Vulnerable 
Endangered 
Critically Endangered 
Extinct Wild 
Extinct 
Threatened in NH 
Endangered in US
Endangered in NH 
Breeds in NH 
Introduced
Africa 
Antarctica 
Asia 
Australia 
Europe 
North/Central America 
South America 
NH