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Where do most parrots build their nests?

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Illustration of a rock parakeet (Pyrrhura rupicola) perched on a branch, showing green plumage with scalloped markings, a patch of red on the wing, and a dark beak. — Psittaciform Black-capped parakeet (*Pyrrhura rupicola*).

With few exceptions, most parrots build their nests in tree holes.1

While this is the primary nesting method, some species exhibit different behaviors:

Cavity Excavation: Some parrots, such as pygmy parrots and the orange-fronted parakeet, hollow out cavities within termite nests.1
Rock and Earth: Several species, including the kakapo, the kea, and the burrowing parrot, nest in rock crevices or earthen caves.1
Ground Nesting: The ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) is an exception that lays its eggs in a shallow cup on the ground.1
Communal Nests: The monk parakeet is unique for building a large, communal stick nest in trees.1

Inside these cavities, some parrots may add materials like bark strips, leaves, or fibers, while others simply lay their eggs directly on the floor of the hollow.1