Largest superfamily of parrots
Psittaciformes, the taxonomic order of
parrots, contains almost 400 modern-day
species and is divided into three superfamilies:
Psittacoidea (“true parrots”), Cacatuoidea
(cockatoos) and Strigopoidea (New Zealand
parrots). The largest is Psittacoidea, with about
350 species, found mostly in the Southern
Hemisphere, in tropical and subtropical regions.
The smallest superfamily of parrots by
far is Strigopoidea, with only three surviving
species. All are indigenous to New Zealand, and
genetically distinct to other living parrots. The
trio consists of the kakapo (see right), the kea
(Nestor notabilis) and the kaka (N. meridionalis).First talking pet budgerigar
In 1788, English convict Thomas Watling was
transported to New South Wales in Australia
as punishment for counterfeiting banknotes in
London. He kept a pet budgerigar (Melopsittacus
undulatus), which he taught to say “How do you
do, Dr White?” – a homage to the convict colony’s
physician Dr John White, a keen naturalist.Most extreme sexual dimorphism
exhibited by a parrot
Sexual dimorphism is a distinct difference in
size or appearance between the two sexes
of a given species. The male eclectus parrot
(Eclectus roratus) has a plumage that is mostly
bright green, while the female’s is bright red with
a bold blue-purple nape band. As recently as
the 1920s, this dramatic difference in colour had
led to the assumption that the male and female
eclectus parrot were entirely separate species.Largest conure
Native to forests and woodlands in Peru, Bolivia
and Argentina, the mitred conure (Psittacara
mitratus) measures up to 38 cm (14.96 in) long,
due in part to its relatively long tail. The green-
plumaged parakeet was traditionally housed in
the “true” conure genus Aratinga, but after a
major study in 2013 was moved to Psittacara.Largest lovebird
The Abyssinian or black-winged lovebird
(Agapornis taranta) can grow to 16.5 cm
(6.5 in) long. Mainly green but with a striking
red forehead in males, it is native to the east
African countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea.Smallest macaw
Found in South America, the red-shouldered
macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) is the only member
of its species. A popular pet on account of its
small size and docile temperament, it is often
dubbed the “mini-macaw” by the pet trade.
It measures no more than 30 cm (11.8 in) long
and weighs just 165 g (5.8 oz).Parrots
ANIMALS
OLDEST
EVER PARROT
A Major Mitchell’s
cockatoo (Cacatua
leadbeateri) named
Cookie first appeared
at Brookfield Zoo
in Chicago, Illinois,
USA, in May 1934.
Estimated to be a
year old, he was
given a hatch date
of 30 Jun 1933. He
became so popular
that his birthdays
were celebrated with
an outdoor event,
during which Cookie
would receive a
muffin-sized cake.
He died on 27 Aug
2016, aged at least
82 years 88 days.Smallest species of amazon parrot
Almost 30 species of amazon parrot are
currently recognized. At just 25 cm (9.8 in)
long, the black-billed amazon (Amazona
agilis) is the smallest. Native to mountainous
rainforests in the heart of Jamaica, the
numbers of this once-common species have
dwindled owing to deforestation, specimen
collection for the pet trade and poaching. It is
now categorized as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN.Oldest caged budgerigar
Born in Apr 1948, Charlie died aged 29 years
60 days on 20 Jun 1977. He had been cared
for by J Dinsey of London, UK.RAREST...
Cockatoo
Categorized as “Critically Endangered” by
the IUCN, the red-vented cockatoo (Cacatua
haematuropygia) is estimated to number only
560–1,150 individual birds. The species has
suffered an extremely rapid decline owing to
destruction of its lowland forest habitat and
capture by the cage-bird trade. Only remnant
populations remain, scattered across certain
islands of the Philippines.Lorikeet
Entirely confined to the island of New Caledonia
off Australia, the last confirmed record of the
New Caledonian lorikeet (Charmosyna diadema)
was in 1913. However, a number of reliable
eyewitness sightings have led the IUCN to
conclude the species may still exist within the
island’s wild and inaccessible areas of highland
rainforest. Therefore the lorikeet is classified as
“Critically Endangered” rather than “Extinct”.True macaw in the wild
Also known as the Caninde or Wagler’s macaw,
the blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis)
is confined to Los Llanos de Moxos, a small
locality in northern Bolivia. Surveys of the
species in the wild by the Armonia Association
and the Loro Parque Fundación estimate the
number of individuals to be 350–400. It is
categorized as “Critically Endangered” by the
IUCN, and confined to a special reserve currently
occupying 4,600 ha (11,366 acres).Parrots can mimic the calls of their predators’ own predators! As pets, they
copy sounds in the home, from speech to ringing phones and doorbells.SMALLEST PARROT
Native to both Papua and Papua New Guinea, the buff-faced
pygmy parrot (Micropsitta pusio) measures as little as 8 cm (3.1 in)
when fully grown and weighs just 11.5 g (0.4 oz). There are six
species of pygmy parrot in total – unusually, all efforts to breed
them in captivity have failed. This has been attributed in part to
problems maintaining the pygmy parrots’ diet of fungi and lichen.The budgerigar is the
most popular pet bird
in the worldHanging parrots
(Loriculus) dangle from
branches by their feet
when sleepingAverage number of
feathers possessed by
a budgerigarThis means they have four
toes on each foot: two
facing forward and two
facing backwardA gathering of New
Zealand kea parrots
is called a “circus”3,000
393
The most widely
accepted number of
modern-day parrot
speciesMany parrots
are omnivores and
will eat anything –
including meat! The kea
parrot of New Zealand has
been filmed attacking
healthy sheep and using
its beak to rip fat
from their backs.100%
Parrots have
“Zygodactyl feet”Q: Prior to “parrot”, what
was the common term
used for these birds?
A: “Popinjay”. The term was also
used for a trivial, foppish person