Monk Parakeet in February
Where monk parakeets are in February, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
February in the Monk Parakeet's year
February still feels like deep winter, but days are lengthening and the first stirrings of the breeding season begin — resident birds start singing on mild mornings and some early nesters are already claiming territories. Late-winter storms can be the hardest feeding days of the year.
For the Monk Parakeet specifically, February is a winter month inside the nesting season — one of the most active and demanding periods of this bird's year. Across the 7 states and provinces where monk parakeets occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where monk parakeets are in February
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In February, monk parakeets are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in February
February is inside the Monk Parakeet nesting season. Nest: large communal stick nest on poles, towers or palms. Clutch 4–8 eggs, incubation 24 days, 1–2 per season.
The season is broadly synchronized across the range this month. During the nesting months, adults switch to protein-rich foods for their young, become more secretive around the nest site, and often visit feeders in quick, purposeful trips rather than lingering.
What to feed in February
- Feeder seed and fruit
An introduced South American parrot that builds huge communal stick nests on utility poles and stadium lights.
Don't let feeders run empty during late-winter storms; birds burn enormous energy staying warm. This is also the month to clean and repair nest boxes before early nesters move in.
Full Monk Parakeet diet guide → · Best feeder for monk parakeets →
Watching monk parakeets this month
In February, the best watching is around food rather than the nest — adults make repeated foraging trips and are most visible at dawn and dusk. Give nesting birds space: if a bird is carrying food or scolding you persistently, you're close to a nest and should back off.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region monk parakeets are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Monk Parakeet month by month
Monk Parakeet by state
Frequently asked
Where are monk parakeets in February?
In February, monk parakeets are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do monk parakeets nest in February?
Yes — February falls inside the Monk Parakeet nesting season at mid-latitudes.
What do monk parakeets eat in February?
Feeder seed and fruit.
Sources
- Monk Parakeet — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Monk Parakeet life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Monk Parakeet — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.