ANIMALSSMALLEST COCKATOO
Found only in Australia,
the cockatiel (Nymphicus
hollandicus) measures
30–33 cm (11.8–13 in)
long. In contrast to other
cockatoo species, its long
tail feathers account for
roughly half its length.
Historically, there has
been debate as to whether
the cockatiel is in fact
a parakeet, but recent
biochemical and molecular
tests have proved that it
is indeed a true cockatoo.LARGEST VOCABULARY
FOR A LIVING BIRD
Owned by Gabriela Danisch of
Bad Oeynhausen in Germany,
Oskar the budgerigar could
recite 148 words when tested
on 8 Sep 2010. His repertoire
included words in German,
English and Polish.
The largest ever
vocabulary for a bird is
1,728 words, achieved by
a budgerigar named Puck.
Owned by Camille Jordan of
Petaluma in California, USA,
Puck died in 1994.LONGEST PARROT
Native to central and
eastern regions of
South America,
the hyacinth or
hyacinthine macaw
(Anodorhynchus
hyacinthinus) measures
up to 100 cm (39 in). Its
weight can reach as much
as 1.7 kg (3 lb 12 oz) –
the only heavier parrot is
the kakapo or owl parrot
(see below left). Habitat
destruction and trapping
for the pet trade have led
to a decline in the numbers
of the hyacinth macaw.
With just 4,300 estimated
mature individuals, it has
been listed as “Vulnerable”
by the IUCN.GREATEST CONCENTRATION OF PARROTS
Set on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz on the Spanish
island of Tenerife, Loro Parque (“Parrot Park”) is home to
around 4 ,000 birds, with around 350 species and subspecies.
Loro Parque has been able to breed chicks from rare species
such as Spix’s macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), which is listed as
“Critically Endangered” by the IUCN. Clockwise from top left:
a scarlet macaw (Ara macao), rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus
moluccanus) and a golden parakeet (Guaruba guarouba).HEAVIEST PARROT
Found only on three tiny islets off New Zealand,
the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is as unusual
as it is rare. In addition to being the only
flightless species of parrot, it also has
a unique ability to retain body fat for
the purposes of energy storage. It is
therefore perhaps no surprise that
the kakapo is the heavyweight
of the parrot world, with mature
specimens having tipped the
scales at 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz).
LOUDEST PARROT
Research conducted at
San Diego Zoo in California,
USA, recorded shrieks from
the Moluccan or salmon-
crested cockatoo (Cacatua
moluccensis) reaching
an ear-splitting volume
of 135 decibels. The
cacophonous cockatoo is
native to the Moluccas, an
archipelago in Indonesia.
It has a predominantly
white plumage with a
pink crest, which it erects
whenever it is agitated or
excited. An affectionate
creature, the cockatoo’s
scream ensures it gets
the attention it craves!