Parrots | National Geographic

Overview

• Common Name: Parrots
• Scientific Name: Psittaciformes
• Type: Birds
• Diet: Omnivore
• Average Life Span in the Wild: Up to 80 years
• Size: 3.5 inches to 40 inches
• Weight: 2.25 ounces to 3.5 pounds

Diversity and Traits

• Parrots are a broad order of more than 350 bird species.
• Includes species such as macaws, Amazons, lorikeets, lovebirds, and cockatoos.
• Shared Traits:
  • Curved beaks
  • Zygodactyl feet (four toes on each foot, two pointing forward, two backward)
  • Diet includes fruit, flowers, buds, nuts, seeds, and some insects.
• Found primarily in warm climates globally, with major diversities in Australasia, Central and South America.

Popularity as Pets

• Popular pet species include macaws, Amazon parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, and cockatoos.
• Attributed to their intelligence, charisma, colorfulness, and musical abilities.
• Some species can mimic human speech, notably the male African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus).

Conservation and Threats

• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) bans the sale of wild-caught species.
• Illegal trade continues due to high demand for parrots as pets.
• Some species are highly endangered.
• Example: Monk parakeet has established populations in several U.S. states.

Visual Resources

• National Geographic features photography of different parrot species, emphasizing their beauty and diversity.
• Photos include eastern rosella, Major Mitchell's cockatoo, orange-bellied parrot, New Guinea red-sided eclectus parrot, chestnut-fronted macaw, superb parrot, and turquoise parrot.

Additional Resources

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