There is concern in the United States about the feral populations (feral means that an animal has returned to a wild state after escaping from captivity). Argentina considers Monks to be agricultural pests, which concerned a number of states enough that they have outlawed or restricted ownership of these birds as companion animals.

There are those who speculate that the monks may succeed at replacing the Carolina Parakeet which was driven into extinction by 1914. I don't know if this is entirely appropriate. For their many similarities, Monks are very different from the Carolinas and doubtless occupy a different ecological niche.

Nevertheless, that may be a moot point. They do seem to be establishing as a new resident species in Florida, where populations are growing and expanding exponentially according to a recent study by University of Florida graduate student, Annamaria van Doorn. They also seem to be establishing along areas of the northeastern coast, areas in Texas.

Is the Monk really the threat that farmers fear they could be and could they pose a threat to the North American ecosystem? How were these feral birds released to the wild? Are Monk colonies growing and dispersing?

Those are some questions that this site will address. Hopefully, more scientists in areas with monk populations will study them and try to determine what the real effects of these populations so we will not have to rely upon mere speculation and assumption.