There are around 350 species of colorful birds in this family. They are found in South America, Central America, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

They range in size from 4-40 inches in length. They have thick, hooked bills; zygodactyl feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward; and muscular tongues.

The upper mandible of their bill is hinged to their skull, and their lower mandible fits under the upper mandible. Their hinged mandible and muscular tongue allow them to easily move food around in their mouths.

Most species eat seeds and fruits, but some species also eat insects.  Most species live in forests in pairs or small groups.

Some species in this order can mimic human speech.

CAROLINA PARAKEET

There was once a species found in the southeastern United States, the Carolina parakeet, but it is now extinct.

The Carolina parakeet was once common in the southeastern United States. The Carolina parakeet was a seed-eater and often ate the seeds of fruit and grain crops. Farmers considered the parakeet a pest and killed them in large numbers. They were also often captured and kept as caged pets. They became extinct around 1920.

INTRODUCED SPECIES IN THE U.S.

A few species in this family have been introduced to areas in the United States. These species were introduced when pet birds escaped.

The budgerigar is a common pet and has established itself in locations around the country. The budgerigar is the parakeet common in pet stores. It is native to Australia. There are breeding populations of budgerigars along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

The monk or Quaker parakeet is native to Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil. Feral breeding colonies can be found in Florida, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Texas, and Louisiana, among other states.