From defendersofwildlife
Although several species of parrot have been introduced to the United States, we once had two species of native parrot. One of these is extinct, while the other is being reintroduced.
The extinct species is the Carolina parakeet, which is generally believed to have range only as far north as the Ohio River Valley. However, remains of one were found in Southern Ontario. However, it is very likely that this bird was a vagrant or an escaped pet or ceremonial animal. So it likely that the northernmost part of this species range is my native region. The last of these birds became extinct in the Cincinnati Zoo in1918. This institution is the same zoo that housed the last of the passenger pigeons.
Taxidermied specimen of Carolina parakeet in North Carolina.
The other species is not extinct, but its range in the US was somewhat less extensive. The thick-billed parrot, which is featured in the video, once ranged into New Mexico and Arizona. The species prefers either pine forests or stands of mature pine-oak forest. Its main diet is pine seeds, and it uses old woodpecker nesting cavities to raise its offspring.
These forests have often been cleared. And because the parrots already live so close to US pet markets, they were once widely captured and sold in the pet trade.
So yes, we once had native parrots living in the United States, and we may have them again. The thick-billed parrot has been reintroduced to the Madrean Sky Islands of Arizona, and it may become established there once again.
The cry of the thick billed parrots on the video is similar to the noise made by the squawker of a jack-a-lure! Talk about unintended consequences. It probably is a good thing no parrots are native where I live. The dogs and I would both go crazy!
Did either of these have ranges in Texas?
One the Mexican Amazons (I forget which species) has been seen in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.