Parrots: general information

Parrots were first tamed in India and considered sacred birds, and in the IV century BC appeared in Europe. They were brought with them by participants of the Eastern March of Alexander the Great. Parrots from India were distributed in the Roman Empire , and later from Africa. In the XV century these birds were brought to Russia. Today they are favorite pets, and video parrots on the Internet are very popular.

Distribution area

The vast majority of species live within Central and South America. On the territory of Africa, Southeast Asia and Hindustan there are several tens, and in New Zealand, Oceania and the Philippines - 109 species. In Europe and the North American continent there are no parrots at all, without taking into account imported ones. But in the United States there are cases when released birds have survived and led their usual lifestyle in severe climatic conditions. The northern border of the distribution range of parrots is in East Afghanistan, and the southern boundary is in the forests of Argentina and Chile.

Parrots usually live in tree crowns, but some of their representatives live in open spaces and even in the mountains. For example, they are often found in the mountains of New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tibet. Some species prefer the ocean coast, and others, on the contrary, are arid regions (Central Australia).

Classification

The parrot family consists of 328 species, which are grouped into 5 subfamilies:

• Woodpeckers - are prevalent mainly on New Guinea and on nearby islands. They are the most miniature among their brethren, since their body length is only 9.5 - 10 cm.
• Laurian - comes from the territory of Australia, Papua New Guinea, East Indonesia, Philippines.
• Real parrots - the area of their distribution covers Africa and South America, some species are found in Australia. They differ short, as if cut with a beak and a rounded tail.
• Owls are a New Zealand endemic species, similar to owls. They have soft plumage. They are sometimes called earthy because they live in burrows or under the roots of trees.
• Nestorovye - common in New Zealand.

Physical features

The body length of parrots, depending on the species, is 9.5 cm - 1 m. Weight - from 10 g to 1 kg. A short rare feathers of bright color, the predominant color of which is bright green. In combination with it, other colors - red, blue, yellow - play an important role of camouflage. Photos of parrots are usually very saturated and bright. However, the color of these birds for the human eye is an optical illusion. Numerous air bubbles on the feathers refract light, so, for example, the purple feathers of a blue aura that are seemingly purple are actually brown. In most species living in South America and Africa, males and females outwardly practically do not differ from each other. However, in parrots of Asia and the Pacific islands sexual dimorphism is particularly pronounced. For example, the male reddish parrot from New Guinea is green, and the female is red.

Wings are large, pointed, feathers are numbered up to 20. The tail consists of 12 feathers. Flying parrots quickly, but for short distances, as well as swiftly move through the trees.

A distinctive feature of representatives of the parrot family is a large beak. It is incredibly durable, which allows birds to easily grind solid fruits. When a parrot climbs trees, the beak helps it to cling to the branches of trees, performing the role of the third limb. Short, thick paws with moving fingers are feathered to the heel. The first and fourth fingers on the paws are turned back and allow tight grip on the branch, making it easier to move. In comparison with other representatives of the feathered brain, the parrots are quite large. They have a wonderful memory, developed onomatopoeia and vocal musculature. All sorts of tricks with parrots, which the world wide web is full of, amaze with the amazing ability to remember and reproduce human speech.

The way of life of parrots

Parrots - birds are schooly, nest in pairs, sometimes in groups. They feed mainly on plant food - fruits, seeds of plants. Laurie eats pollen and nectar. Some species of parrots eat food of animal origin - worms, insects and their larvae. Parrots of kea even absorb carrion and attack adult sheep. Food for parrots contained in the home, must necessarily consist of grains, seeds, fresh greens, tree branches (birch, apple, oak).

The maximum life expectancy of parrots is about 50 years, but sometimes there are long-livers living up to 70 years. In captivity, they live much less. For example, wavy parrots die at the age of 13 years. Cuban Amazons live longer - up to 40 years. Proper care of the parrot is very important for life expectancy . Comfortable conditions and proper nutrition will provide him with a long and happy life.