The family Psittacidae includes 8 species found in North America.

Most parrots eat seeds and fruits. All parrots nest in holes, most in cavities in trees or holes in banks or rock crevices. Monk Parrots build a huge communal nest of twigs and dead branches in which each pair has its own nest chamber. 

All parrots lay white eggs. Clutch sizes vary from 2-5 in larger species, up to 8 in small species. Incubation begins with the first or second egg and in most species is by the female who is fed by the male. Duration of incubation varies with the size of the bird, from 17-23 days in small species up to 5 weeks for the large macaws. Newly-hatched young are blind and naked or with sparse dorsal down which is white in most species. The eyes open 1-2 weeks after hatching. In most species the white down is replaced by a dense, gray down followed by the development of feathers. Hatchlings are brooded by the female who is fed by the male. After several days the male feeds the young directly. Young birds remain in the nest for 3-4 weeks in small species up to 3-4 months in the large macaws. Fledglings are fed by the parents for varying periods after leaving the nest.