Regulatory Status
Black-hooded parakeets are not native to Florida and are regulated as Class III wildlife, meaning a permit is required to possess them for exhibition or sale. A permit is not required to possess them as personal pets.
Description
Black-hooded parakeets are 27–30 cm (11–12 in) long, weigh around 140 g (4.9 oz), and are mostly green in color. Their most distinguishing characteristic, for which they're named, is their black facial mask and beak. They also have black, trailing feathers on their wings and a long tail edged at the end in blue. Their upper chest tends to be bluish-green while their lower chest is paler green and the feathers covering their thighs are red.
Black-hooded parakeets usually find holes in trees to nest. The females lay three or four eggs and after raising their young, all birds form rather large communal roosts until the next breeding season.
Diet
Black- hooded parakeets feed on seeds, fruit, palm nuts, berries, flowers, and buds.
Native Range
Black- hooded parakeets are native to South America from southeast Bolivia to southwest Brazil, central Paraguay and northern Argentina.
Florida Distribution
There are established population of black- hooded parakeets throughout central Florida with the largest populations occurring in Tampa, Sarasota, West Palm Beach, Miami, and St. Augustine. See where the species has been reported in Florida.
Potential Impacts
The effects of black- hooded parakeets in Florida is not well understood. This species may compete for resources with native wildlife or impact agriculture. Black- hooded parakeets also often nest on power poles, which can cause impacts to utilities and power equipment.