Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

I photographed this Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) that lands on a Parkinsonia aculeata to eat its flowers with Nikon D850, Nikon 300 mm lens, f / 4, 1/3000 sec, ISO 90. Thanks for your comments

Marvelous shot, Giangiorgio! Good composition, light, colors, bird pose, plumage ... plus this plant that looks fantastic! Beautifily done! Bravo! Sincerely, Tatiana

Giangiorgio...You are a master at this...the timing to get the eye contact plus the full deploy!A Favorite!Bravo et salutations-Laurent

Tatiana I am glad you liked it, your beautiful comments are greatly appreciated, ciao Giangiorgio

Laurent many thanks for your visit, comments and compliments, glad you liked it, ciao Giangiorgio

Nice image, Giangiorgio. Eating the flower of this plant and thereby reducing its reproduction is quite beneficial considering that Parkinsonia aculeata is an invasive weed that causes serious problems in many places around the world such as Australia or Africa, and even in islands in the Pacific Ocean. In Australia, where it was originally introduced as an ornamental plant, now is considered the worst weed. The major problem is that this plant forms dense brushwoods blocking access to waterways for humans and animals, ciao Sandor

Thank you Sandor for your very interesting note on Parkinsonia, I knew this plant and its bad reputation. In a guide to the Botanical Garden of Cagliari created between 1762 and 1769 the presence of Parkinsonia, perhaps imported in those years, is reported. Parkinsonia is widespread in the parks and gardens of Cagliari, fortunately in a few specimens, I have no knowledge of its real diffusion in Sardinia but it is certainly not present in the countryside.. Glad you liked it, ciao Giangiorgio

Great shot. We in New York have a growing population of Monk Parrots. They are an “invasive species here. A shipment of Monks (for personal pets) escaped and are thriving around here. How they adapted so quickly to surviving in the dead of winter in below freezing winters confounds me!

Warren I'm glad you liked it. Even in my city Cagliari these parakeets have escaped from captivity and are reproducing and spreading throughout the city favored by the warm climate of our region, ciao Giangiorgio

Hi Giangiorgio,

 

what a wonderful photo of this parakeet! The blue sky, the composition that is formed against the good-looking plant it lands on, the focus, colors; all are really amazingly good. Very nice indeed! In my country, the rose-ringed parakeet is taking over city parks. These exotic birds are unbelievably good at adapting themselves to new environments. Kind regards, Vincent

Wonderful action capture of the great looking bird, Giangiorgio. Looks like quite a balancing act. Best regards, Paul.

Paul thank you for taking time to look and comment, ciao Giangiorgio

many thanks Vincent for your visit, comments and compliments . You're right these parakeets are spreading in many cities and are well acclimatising. Take care of you, ciao Giangiorgio

Fantastic all! Colors, technical quality, composition, capture of the right moment and the right pose...complimenti mio caro amico! PDE

boa foto...

Grazie mille Pierre for your generous appreciated comment, ciao Giangiorgio

Mille grazie Miguel, sono contento ti sia piaciuta, ciao Giangiorgio

Excellent light, colour and details.

Welcome back Chris, many thanks for your visit and kind comment, ciao Giangiorgio

Giangiorgio, what can I say that hasn't been said already? The clarity and sharpness of this image demonstrably showcases every single feature of this magnificent bird as well as its food. Do you how the word "Monk" comes into play? I ask because, in my younger years, I had quite a few parakeets (budgerigars). The last one was so tame I could hold it in my hand while it was lying on its back and stroke its belly; occasionally I also was able to hand-feed it. - - - My best always, michael! - - Ciao!

Michel thank you for your nice and detailed comment. The specific epithet monachus is Late Latin for a "monk" but I don't know why it was called so, ciao Giangiorgio

Yes. The flowers, lines, hues and bird have come together for you to turn into great art. Bravo, Giangiorgio.

Wayne thank you for your appreciation and great commentary of my photo, ciao Giangiorgio