Nanday Conures or Black-hooded Parakeets (Nandayus nenday)Black-hooded Parakeets have arrived in Lakeland. This photo, which was shot recently in The Ledger parking lot by staff photographer David Mills, is the first evidence of this species presence in Polk County in many years. There are established colonies of these exotic birds in St. Petersburg and elsewhere in Florida.
As many of you know, Monk Parakeets, which are gray and white, have been nesting in colonies around Polk County for years. Occasionally I've seen other species, such as Budgerigars or Cockatiels, but there have never been any breeding colonies here.
Black-hooded Parakeets were first spotted in Florida in 1969 and have spread since. They are among more than 50 species of birds in the parrot family that have been seen in Florida.
Reports of additional sightings of Black-hooded Parakeets in Polk County would be welcome.