Gregarious, social, vocal and often colorful. Introduced from the western US to New York in the 1940s, now common across much of the US and Mexico in urban, suburban and agricultural areas. Small with strong conical bill, gray-brown bodies, streaked underparts; males have rosy red or orange/yellow head and breast. Exclusively vegetarian, even during nesting. Nests in trees, ledges and buildings. Lifespan up to 11 years. Population ~ 35 million (some estimates much higher) and possibly declining since 1994 due to disease (mycoplasmal conjunctivitis).