Parrots are fine-looking birds, mainly found inhabiting tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Grouped into two families, Psittacidae (true parrots) and Cacatuidae (cockatoos), they include as many as 350 species within their order. A parrot can be described as a bird with a strong curved beak, erect carriage, strong legs and clawed zygodactyl feet. Most of its species are green in color, with a few being multi-colored. Parrots are counted amongst the most intelligent birds and are very popular as pets. Given below are a number of interesting facts and some amazing information on parrots.
Facts about Parrot
Binomial Name: Ardea cinerea
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Two, Psittacidae (true parrots) and Cacatuidae (cockatoos)
Species: Around 350
Size: 3.5” to 40” (8.7 to 100 cm)
Weight: 0.65 to 1.6 kg
Age: 10 to 75 years (depending on their species)
Diet: Seeds, fruit, buds, nectar and pollen
Natural Habitat: Tropical and subtropical continents
Age of Maturity: 1 to 4 years (depending on their species)
Interesting and Amazing Information on Parrots
- While eating, parrots hold their food in one of their feet, which can be either left or right, making parrots left as well as right handed.
- Parrots, when not nesting, live in groups known as flocks and are prone to squawking and screaming.
- Parrots, mainly pet ones, are very good at mimicking. They can easily imitate the speech and calls of other birds and animals, even humans. African gray parrots are the best mimics.
- Parrots are zygodactyls i.e. they have four toes on each foot. Two of their toes point forward and two point backward.
- Most of the parrots build their nests in holes in trees, termite mounts, rock cavities or ground tunnels. Only a few build stick nests.
- Wild Macaws and Cockatoos can fly up to 500 miles in a day, while searching for food.
- The vocalizations of some parrots can be heard for up to 1 mile.
- Larger parrots can live more than 75 years, while smaller ones live up to 15 years only.
- Parrots cannot eat chocolate because it is poisonous to their body.
- Parrots have a thick muscular tongue that helps them eat fruit, seeds, buds, nectar, and pollen.
