When I say the word parrot, I'm sure most people are thinking large macaws and cockatoos. Yes, those types of birds are parrots, but there are small parrots too. You might be surprised to know that birds like parakeets and cockatiels are also parrots. Parrots range in size from very small to very large. So what exactly makes a parrot a parrot?
 Besides their beaks, psittacines have different toes. They are called Zygodactyl toes. This means that the have two toes pointing forward, and two toes that point backwards. Birds like chickens have 3 toes that point forward and one that points backwards.
Page 2
i Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
Parrots and their relatives are some of the most familiar birds due to their beauty and common inclusion in the pet trade. All birds in the order Psittaciformes commonly are called parrots, whether they belong to the true parrot family (Psittacidae) or the cockatoo family (Cacatuinae). All Psittaciformes birds are related closely and share common characteristics. Parrots belong to the family Psittacidae in the order Psittaciformes. Psittacidae contains the following subfamilies: Loriinae (lories and lorikeets), which has 12 genera; Psittacinae (parrots, parakeets, macaws and relatives), which has over 60 genera; and, with one genus each, Loriculinae (hanging parrots), Micropsittinae (pygmy parrots), Psittrichadinae (Pesquet's parrot), and Strigopinae (kakapo). There has been some confusion on separating Psittaciformes into families, with many authorities on the subject separating Psittaciformes into two families: Psittacidae and Cacatuinae. Some also separate Nestorinae into as its own family. Cacatuinae, which has six genera, and Nestorinae, which has one genus, sometimes are considered to be subfamilies of Psittacidae. Some 350 species of parrots and parrot relatives are found within the genera of these families and subfamilies. Most parrots share a few common characteristics, including a strong, hooked beak, bright colors and zygodactylous toe arrangement, meaning they have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. Most parrots live in tropical climates around the world, including Australia, South America and Africa. In addition, most species are social birds, at least to an extent. It is not uncommon to see large flocks of budgies, cockatiels or lorikeets in their native lands. Their sociability is a great factor in their suitability for the pet trade: pet parrots tend to bond closely with their human counterparts, sometimes as close as they would with a mate. The largest parrot is the Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), which reaches lengths close to 40 inches and weights of approximately 3 1/2 pounds. This species is more than 10 times longer than the smallest parrot, the buff-faced pygmy parrot of New Guinea, which reaches only 3 1/2 inches long, making it smaller than the common pet species, the budgie. Other notably small parrots include lovebirds, fig parrots and Asian hanging parrots. Other large parrots include the colorful green and scarlet macaws. Nearly every species of bird in the pet trade is a parrot. Finches, canaries, doves and quail are among the few that don't belong to the order Psittaciformes. Lovebirds, parakeets, budgies, African greys, cockatoos, conures, cockatiels, macaws and lorikeets often are kept as pets, each having their own traits and quirks that make them favorites.
i BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
Despite their similar names, parrots and parakeets are not the same thing—not entirely, anyway. Parakeets, also commonly known as budgies, are actually a type of parrot. While they have certain notable similarities, like their four-toed feet and their typical diets, parakeets and other species of parrot can be vastly different. While parakeets are a type of parrot, more than 350 other types exist as well. This order of birds includes various species that, like the parakeet, are frequently chosen as pets. The African gray parrot, Amazon parrot, cockatoo, cockatiel and macaw, for example, are all types of parrot that humans choose as pets. The parakeet is one of the smallest species, making it generally more common in pet stores. Parakeets are a species of parrot native to Australia, where they are also known as budgerigars, or budgies. Because they are small, playful, smart and highly receptive to training, these birds are mainstays of pet shops and relatively easy to care for. While not all parrots can imitate human speech, parakeets can, and may learn as many as 100 different words or even more. These birds generally cherish companionship, and develop strong bonds with their owners. Because so many parrot species exist, they can vary considerably from the common parakeet. For example, the African gray parrot is a larger, less colorful bird, with a strong and prominent beak—the parakeet's beak is proportionally smaller, and his feathers colorful. The cockatiel is more similar to the budgie, as he is colorful and personable with a smaller beak, but sports frills on his head that the parakeet does not. With hundreds of different species to consider, the differences between parakeets and other parrots are many. As a particularly small species of parrot, the parakeet is a relatively low-maintenance bird. Parakeets enjoy each other's company, and several can happily share a cage. While they should ideally be let out once daily for bonding and interaction, these birds are generally happy living in an enclosed space with toys and perches to keep them occupied. Other, larger species of parrot may need more elaborate habitats of tree branches and floor-to-ceiling cages, but the parakeet's small size sets him apart as uniquely suited to apartment life. |
What is a parrot considered?
Postagens relacionadas
direito autoral © 2024 mesadeestudo Inc.
