The Carolina parakeet, or Carolina conure, is an extinct species of small green neotropical parrot with a bright yellow head, reddish orange face, and pale beak that was native to the Eastern, Midwest, and Plains states of the United States. It was the only indigenous parrot within its range, and one of only three parrot species native to the United States. The others are the thick-billed parrot, now extirpated, and the green parakeet, still present in Texas; a fourth parrot species, the red-crowned amazon, is debated.
Region
Eastern and Central United States
Typical Environment
Historically occurred from the Gulf Coast and lower Atlantic states north to the Great Lakes and west to the Great Plains. It favored bottomland hardwood forests, cypress and sycamore swamps, and riparian corridors. Birds often foraged along river floodplains and in adjacent fields and orchards. They nested and roosted in tree cavities, especially in large, mature trees. Use of agricultural landscapes became more common as forests were cleared.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Carolina parakeet was the only parrot native to the eastern United States and went extinct in the early 20th century. Its bright green body with a yellow head and orange-red face made it unmistakable. Habitat loss, persecution as an agricultural pest and for the millinery trade, and likely disease drove its decline. Flocks reportedly returned to fallen birds, a behavior that tragically made them easy targets for hunters.
C. c. ludovicianus by John James Audubon
Illustration by John James Audubon
Photo of a live pet specimen, 1906
This live captive bird was photographed by Robert Wilson Shufeldt around 1900.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with swift, direct flight
Social Behavior
Typically traveled in noisy flocks and formed strong pair bonds. It nested in cavities of large trees, sometimes in small loose colonies, and roosted communally. Flocks often foraged together and showed coordinated movements between feeding and roosting sites.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations were loud, sharp screeches and rolling chatters, often given in chorus while in flight. Contact calls carried over long distances across river bottoms and swamps.
