Monk parakeet: why this species is banned from sale in France
The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), also called the quaker parrot, wins people over with its intelligence and colonial lifestyle, visible even in some European city parks where feral populations have thrived for decades. A study by Jennifer Eberhard, published in 1998 in the Wilson Bulletin, detailed the species' breeding biology and showed that several pairs build and share a single twig nest, occupied year-round and divided into several individual chambers — a communal nesting style unique among parrots (study on Google Scholar). It is precisely this ability to colonise new territory quickly that earned the species its regulatory status in France.
A species that owes its success to a unique nesting style
Unlike almost every other parrot, which nests in natural cavities, the monk parakeet builds an external twig nest, often perched on a power pylon or a large tree, which it enlarges year after year to house several breeding pairs. This independence from natural cavities, combined with strong cold tolerance, lets it establish itself for good in cities far cooler than its native South America.
Why it's classed as an invasive alien species in France
Since the order of 2 March 2023 updating France's metropolitan list of invasive alien species, the monk parakeet is among the species for which introduction, transport, sale, purchase and possession are all banned. French law provides for up to three years' imprisonment and a €150,000 fine for any transaction involving a live specimen of a listed species. The rose-ringed parakeet falls under separate rules: releasing it into the wild has been banned since 2018, but keeping and breeding it in captivity generally remains allowed under certain conditions (a declaration above a given number of birds) — unlike the monk parakeet, now banned from both possession and sale.
What if you already own a monk parakeet?
An exemption exists for pet birds already lawfully kept before 1 September 2022, provided the bird was declared to the local prefecture before 1 March 2023 and the conditions of Article R. 411-39 of the environmental code are met: no breeding, no transfer of the animal, and up-to-date individual identification. Our guide on leg bands versus microchips covers the legal identification methods to show if checked. Without a declaration made in time, the situation can no longer be regularised: it's better to turn to a species that remains freely available, using our comparison of breeders, pet stores and rescues.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still buy a monk parakeet in France?
No, buying, selling or introducing new specimens has been banned since 2023, and breeding a bird already kept under the exemption is itself prohibited by the same order.
Does an undeclared owner risk a penalty?
Yes, keeping a specimen not covered by the exemption carries the same penalties as buying or selling one; contacting the relevant departmental authority (DDPP) is recommended if in doubt.
Does the same ban apply to the rose-ringed parakeet?
No: keeping it in captivity generally remains allowed under certain conditions, with only its release into the wild being banned.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Birds universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.