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Parrot Compass

Monk Parakeet as a pet

Myiopsitta monachus

In short

This species may suit you if you can live with noise level ‘loud’, have room for an enclosure in class ‘medium’ and can care for the bird for up to about 40 years [S35, S49, S60, S67]. Biggest trade-off: the noise (class ‘loud’) [S67]. The perfect parrot doesn’t exist: a species profile is no guarantee about your bird.

This information was compiled with AI from public sources and may contain errors. Always check legal rules with the competent authority. Not buying, veterinary or legal advice.

Does this species suit you? Take the guided route

Talking

‘Known for their ability to talk’ [S49]; pet birds develop ‘vocabularies of scores of words’ [S60].

Noise

WPT: ‘wide array of shrill screeches, squawks and chatter’ in flight and while feeding [S67].

Lifespan

About 25 years in captivity [S67]; VCA 20–30 years [S49]; Wikipedia 10–20 years [S60]. The sources differ.

Space

Flemish parakeet guideline per pair: small species 100 × 80 × 50 cm, larger species 150 × 150 × 80 cm [S35]; the page does not explicitly classify this species, so the larger class is used here to be safe. VCA: cage at least 60 × 60 × 90 cm (one bird) [S49].

Suitable for beginners?

No statement about beginners read. VCA (S49) and World Parrot Trust (S67) checked on 20/9/2026: neither gives an explicit statement about beginners.

Costs

From €240 per year per bird. Flemish Huisdierwijzer pet guide (parakeets S35 / lovebirds S36): about €20 per bird per month × 12. Price level unknown; not a full budget or quote.

Paperwork and rules in Belgium

EU Annex B (CITES II). Ask the seller for proof of legal origin (invoice, transfer declaration; EU model recommended) and keep it [S40]. According to the FPS, anyone who buys, sells or breeds these birds keeps a register of arrivals and departures and keeps it for at least 5 years [S39]. Status as of 24 September 2026; check the current rules for your bird with the Belgian FPS Public Health [S39].

Adoption and availability

Not seen on the rescue pages we read.

What you have to accept

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Source basis

Veterinary information (VCA) + conservation organisation (WPT) + secondary source

Guideline sizes, costs and adoption listings come from Flemish sources; different rules may apply in Brussels and Wallonia. Foreign housing rules are not Belgian rules.

Sources

Sources checked as of: