Parrots

The Echo Parakeet of Mauritius was saved from extinction when only 12 birds remained!

The Carolina Parakeet, once native to the United States, became extinct in 1918 due to hunting and habitat loss!

The world’s rarest wild parrot, the Spix’s Macaw, was recently reintroduced to Brazil after being extinct in the wild for 20 years!

There are special “parrot hospitals” in many countries that help injured wild parrots recover and return to nature!

Some countries have made special laws to protect wild parrots by making it illegal to catch them for pets!

Fun and Unique Facts

Parrots have special oil-producing glands that help keep their feathers waterproof!

The St. Vincent Amazon Parrot (Amazona guildingii) is the national bird of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Some parrots can learn to count up to six objects and understand basic math concepts!

The Eclectus Parrot is one of the few bird species where males and females look completely different — males are bright green while females are red and blue!

Some parrots in Australia have learned to open garbage bins by copying each other, showing how they can share knowledge!

The Palm Cockatoo uses sticks to drum on hollow trees, making it the only non-human animal known to craft and use musical instruments!

Some parrots in Australia have learned to open garbage bins by copying each other, showing how they can share knowledge!

Parrots can remember and recognize different human faces for many years!

Some parrots can fly at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h)!

The Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot can learn over 100 different sounds in its lifetime!

Parrots have special muscles in their throats that help them make human-like sounds!

Some parrots can imitate the sounds of other animals, including dogs, cats, and even car alarms!

Parrots have three eyelids — one for blinking, one for sleeping, and one for keeping their eyes clean while flying!

The Kea parrot of New Zealand can solve complex puzzles that would challenge a 4-year-old child!

Parrots can taste sweet foods, unlike many other bird species!

Some parrots can learn to associate words with objects, showing they understand basic language concepts!

Parrots can move their upper and lower beaks independently, giving them extra control when eating!

Some parrots can distinguish between different colors and shapes, even when they’re very similar!

Parrots can rotate their heads up to 180 degrees, helping them spot danger from different directions!

Parrots often preen each other’s feathers as a way of bonding and showing friendship!

Some parrot species hold “gatherings” at dawn and dusk where hundreds of birds socialize!

Parrots use different calls for different situations, like warning others about danger or finding food!

Some parrots perform aerial acrobatics in groups, possibly as a way of playing or showing off!

Parrots often have “best friends” within their flock that they spend most of their time with!

Some parrots have special brushes on their tongues that help them eat nectar from flowers!

The Black Palm Cockatoo’s cheek patches change color when it’s excited or scared!

Some desert parrots can go several days without drinking water by getting moisture from their food!

The Kakapo parrot has special feathers that help it blend in with plants on the forest floor!

Some parrot species have ultraviolet patches on their feathers that only other parrots can see!

The Kea parrot has special feathers that help it stay warm in snowy mountain environments!

Some parrots have specially adapted beaks that help them eat specific types of nuts or fruits!

The Swift Parrot has wings shaped for fast flight, helping it travel long distances during migration!

Some parrots have developed special calls that can travel for miles through dense rainforest!

The Palm Cockatoo has the largest beak of any parrot, which it uses like a hammer to make tools!

Most parrots wake up just before sunrise and go to sleep at sunset!

Many parrots take daily “baths” in rain or dew to keep their feathers clean!

Some parrots travel up to 60 miles (97 kilometers) each day searching for food!

Parrots often take afternoon naps, especially on hot days!

Many parrots gather in large groups to sleep at night in special roosting trees!

Some parrots visit the same feeding spots at the same time every day!

Parrots spend several hours each day grooming their feathers to keep them in good condition!

Many parrots have favorite perches where they like to sit and watch their surroundings!

Some parrots create tools from sticks and leaves to help them get food!

A parrot’s heart beats about 127 to over 250 times per minute when they’re resting!

Some parrots can mimic the sound of running water perfectly!