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Etymology and naming
The name parakeet is derived from the French word perroquet, which is reflected in some older spellings that are still sometimes encountered, including paroquet or paraquet. However, in modern French, perruche is used to refer to parakeets and similar-sized parrots.
In American English, the word parakeet usually refers to the budgerigar, which is one species of parakeet.
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Summary
Parakeets comprise of about 115 species of birds that are seed-eating parrots of small size, slender build, and long, tapering tails. The Australian budgerigar, also known as "budgie", Melopsittacus undulatus, is probably the most common parakeet. It was first described by zoologists in 1891. It is the most popular species of parakeet kept as a pet in North America and Europe.
The term "grass parakeet" (or grasskeet) refers to several small Australian parakeets native to grasslands, such as those in the genus Neophema and the princess parrot. The Australian rosellas are also parakeets. Many of the smaller, long-tailed species of lories may be referred to as "lorikeets". The vernacular name ring-necked parakeet (not to be confused with the Australian ringneck) refers to a species of the genus Psittacula native to Africa and Asia. It is popular as a pet and has become feral in many cities outside its natural range.
In aviculture, the term "conure" is used for small to medium-sized parakeets of the genera Aratinga, Pyrrhura, and a few other genera of the tribe Arini, which are mainly endemic to South America. As they are not all from one genus, taxonomists tend to avoid the term. Other South American species commonly called parakeets include the genus Brotogeris parakeets, the monk parakeet, and lineolated parakeets, although lineolateds have short tails.
A larger species may be referred to as "parrot" or "parakeet" interchangeably. For example, "Alexandrine parrot" and "Alexandrine parakeet" are two common names for the same species, Psittacula eupatria, which is one of the largest species normally referred to as a parakeet.
Many different species of parakeets are bred and sold commercially as pets, the budgerigar being the third most popular pet in the world, after cats and dogs.
Breeding
Parakeets often breed more readily in groups; however, there can be conflicts between breeding pairs and individuals especially if space is limited. The presence of other parakeets encourages a pair to breed, which is why breeding in a group is better. Despite this, many breeders choose to breed in pairs to both avoid conflicts and know offspring's parentage with certainty. Budgerigars lay an average of 4–6 eggs, while other parakeet species may lay an average of 4–6 eggs.
American population
There is a growing population of introduced monk parakeets in Brooklyn and Queens, although the species have been reported in all five boroughs of New York City.
Chicago also has a flock of monk parakeets, with most of them living in the Hyde Park neighborhood. The birds were a favorite of Chicago’s former mayor, Harold Washington. After his death the Department of Agriculture called for the birds to be removed, but a group of Washington devotees threatened a lawsuit, and the birds remain to this day.
Of native species, the green parakeet is still found in southern Texas, while the Carolina parakeet, formerly native to much of the eastern US, went extinct at the beginning of the 20th century.
European population
Belgian population
As of 2023, an estimated 10,000 parakeets lived in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The total made them one of the most populous birds in the city, behind only pigeons and sparrows.
Dutch population
As of 2025 there is an estimated 10,000 to 28,000 parakeets living throughout the Netherlands including upwards of 3000 in Amsterdam. They were first noticed in 2026 and live in urban parks like Westerpark in Amsterdam where a notable colony is host. Throughout the country Alexandrine Parakeets are present in particular the Vondelpark where a colony of over 1000 has been hosted. Along with this Lesser vasa parrot have also been seen in Apeldoorn and Goeree.
Spain's parakeet control measures
According to a 2018 report, Spanish authorities drew up plans to curb the ever-growing population of parakeets, which reached 30,000 in locations such as Malaga.
United Kingdom
In December 2019, Steven Le Comber, of Queen Mary University in London, UK, published an analysis in the Journal of Zoology based on geographic profiling methods. It concluded that the thriving rose-ringed parakeet population in the United Kingdom had grown from numerous small-scale accidental and intentional pet releases. Previous theories had included a pair released by Jimi Hendrix on Carnaby Street and an arrival in 1951 when Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn visited London with various animals to film The African Queen, set in the equatorial swamps of east Africa.