Fun Facts About Parrots

Parrots have always been one of the most popular pets around and their references can be traced back to early history. There are numerous Egyptian hieroglyphics dating back to 4000 years, which indicate that royal families were the first to keep parrots as pets. There are also references of parrots being domesticated during the Greek and Roman times. Many famous historical figures such as Winston Churchill and King Henry VIII owned parrots. If you had a bad experience with a parrot and had been intimidated by one, you must be aware of the fact that not all parrots act freakish while interacting with people as they vary in temperaments. For example, an African Grey is sensitive, shy and usually bonds only with one person. A Quaker Parrot will gladly socialize with everyone in your family, and possibly with strangers as well. Parrots are counted amongst the most intelligent birds and it is not unusual for an African Grey Parrot to learn up to 100 words and phrases. Many such interesting and amazing information on parrots have been provided in the article below.

Fast Facts

Scientific Name: Ardea cinerea
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Infraclass: Neognathae
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 Facts On Parrots

• Parrot fossils excavated in Europe trace the modern parrot’s lineage to the Eocene period that is more than 50 million years old. Fossils that relate more closely to today’s parrots in terms of bone structure and appearance are about 23 million years old.
• Parrots are usually bright colored tropical birds with short hooked beaks and an exceptional ability to mimic sounds.There are about 315 different species of parrots in the world.
• Parrots are divided into groups such as cockatoos, lories, lovebirds, macaws, and parakeets.
• They have zygodactyl feet. A zygodactyl bird has the first and fourth toes directed backward the second and third pointing forward.
• Even though parrots largely eat fruits, seeds, buds, nectar, and pollen in the wild, they are omnivorous by nature. Sometimes they eat insects too. The “gourmets” of the parrot world, the Golden-Winged Parakeets like to eat water snails and the New Zealand Kees scavenge abandoned sheep carcasses.
• Parrots are highly intelligent birds.
• Pet parrots are popular due to their sociable and affectionate nature, their intelligence, bright colors and their ability to imitate human voices.
• African Grey Parrots are the best mimics. Wild parrots do not imitate.
• Parrots don’t have vocal cords, so they actually “trumpet” the sound by pushing air out of their trachea. They can control the pitch of the sound by manipulating the shape and depth of their trachea. Experts say that when parrots talk, they are actually making variations on whistling.
• Parrots are monogamous—they mate for life. They do not have any territories other than their nesting sites. Among the parrots and cockatoos, a strong bond exists between individuals of a pair, and they maintain this closeness even during the non-breeding season, even when they join large flocks.
• The biggest parrot is the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), which grows up to 39 inches (100cm) long and can weigh almost 5 pounds.
• The smallest parrot is the Buff-Faced Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta pusio), which is only 3.5 inches (9 cm) tall and weighs as little as 0.4oz (11,5g).
• Larger parrots such as the Macaws and Cockatoos live more than 75 years. Smaller parrots live for 10 to 15 years.
• Another interesting parrot fact is that, for the most part, parrots nest in holes. While there are a few exceptions that build regular nests, most build their homes in holes in trees, rock cavities, ground tunnels and even occasionally in termite mounds.
• The vocalizations of some parrots can be heard from a distance of up to 1 mile.
• Wild Macaws and Cockatoos can fly up to 500 miles in a day while looking for food.
• Parrots cannot eat chocolate, as it is poisonous for their body.
• Their eggs are always white in color.
• Some species of the parrot have become endangered. Thousands are brought to Europe and North America as pets. Many of these die while undertaking the journey.