Ask Lafeber

Breeding Monk Parrots

Are monk parrot’s sex somewhat distinguishable And how easy is it for them to breed.

Hi Jerry,

When it comes to parrots, none are particularly easy to breed, even parakeets and cockatiels. Some people just get lucky and have parakeets and cockatiels that breed without issues, but typically the road to chicks is a long one and there will be some losses along the way. Monk or Quaker parrots must be sexed using DNA testing. There are no visual distinctions between the males and females. For breeding they need a large cage, very good diet – not seeds – and a large nest box, which should be attached to the outside of the cage. Even if you do everything right, they may not produce for you. Also, keep in mind that this species is illegal to keep in a lot of States now, because the escaped pets are a threat to agriculture and native wildlife. So give it a lot of thought before you decide to get into breeding. To breed responsibly and get quality chicks, there is really no profit to be had. If a pair is successful, the chicks can often be sold to cover feeding a vet bills. Also, if these are pets, I do not recommend breeding them because they will no longer be pets once they bond as a breeding pair.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda