Psittaciformes – Parrots & cockatoos
Parrots are among the most intelligent of birds, with brain-to- body size ratios comparable to higher primates
Members of this order come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes but usually have hooked, curved bills, strong legs, and peculiar clawed feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward.
These birds are found mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world—almost all parrots nest in holes found in tree branches – tree hollows.
Their loud vocalizations maintain their pair bonds and strengthen flock cohesion. Parrots also learn vocalizations quite aptly, being able to mimic sounds easy. Their vivid colors and ability for mimicry have led to over a third of species being threatened by extinction due to the pet trade, habitat loss, and hunting.
Families in this order
The love for sugary food like nectar in some birds, like lories, makes Old World parrots different from other parrots
The colorful parrots in this family are primarily green; however, some have blue, yellow, and gray colors
These large parrots could be naughty, annoying, and noisy but demonstrate a unique personality, sadly attracting bird lovers
You might spot thousands of cockatoos in groups with abundant food supply