These 'unique' parrots have been flying around New Orleans for decades. What makes them special?

For over 60 years, green-feathered Monk parakeets have darted across the Crescent City, squawking from telephone lines and nesting in power poles.

Aside from their unique preference for urban nesting, the birds — sometimes called Quaker parrots — are known for building intricate nests made from sticks, often lodged in utility poles or other manmade structures.

Native to South America, the bright, winged creatures arrived en masse in the 1960s when exotic pets grew in popularity. But how they managed to establish such a stronghold in New Orleans remains a mystery.

From South America to New Orleans

Hailing from South America (mostly Argentina), Monk parakeets have dispersed across the United States — even settling in cities like New York and Chicago.

Since they are one of the few parr