A Wonderful Creations Of Birds - Best Architects In The world Without Degree..!

Well. we all know that birds make nests. Today we will look at some of the most beautiful nest-building birds in the world..!

1. Sociable weaver

(Philetairus socius)

   Sociable weavers are native to Southern Africa and make some of the most beautiful nests of any bird.

They make massive permanent nests on tall structures such as trees or telegraph poles that are big enough to host over a hundred pairs of birds.

The nests consist of numerous chambers and although the center rooms retain heat and are used for roosting at night, the outer rooms maintain a temperature of barely 7 degrees Celsius and are utilized for cover during the day when temperatures outside may reach as high as 33 degrees Celsius.

The nests, which are the biggest created by any bird and seem like huge haystacks between the trees, are formed from soft material such as twigs, dried grasses, and other plant material and sticks may be positioned at the openings to dissuade predators.

2. Montezuma oropendola

(Psarocolius montezuma)

    Montezuma oropendolas are tropical New World birds living from the New World that live in the Caribbean coastal lowlands.

They reproduce in groups and construct woven nests of fibers and vines high up on solitary trees. The hanging basket-like nests may be up to 180 cm long, and each colony normally has approximately 30 nests, although over 150 have been observed. They would often construct near wasp nests to dissuade possible predators.

Each colony has a dominant male who mates with most of the females, while the majority of the females, some of the inferior males may mate away from the main colony.

3. Eurasian penduline tit

(Remiz pendulinus)

    The Eurasian penduline tit is the only species of its family found outside of Africa, and it is distributed across Europe, albeit it is an uncommon vagrant in the UK.

Eurasian penduline tits are among the most talented nest builders of all European birds, constructing constructions so robust that the Masai in Kenya used them as wallets and children's shoes.

The male bird starts building the pouch-shaped nest by connecting plant fibers and fluffy seeds to the ends of willow or birch trees, which the female will assist him in finishing.

4. Edible-nest swiftlet

(Aerodromes fuciphagus)

    The edible-nest swiftlet is a tiny bird found in Southeast Asia.

They build their nests out of saliva, which is used to produce bird's nest soup, which is one of the most costly animal products consumed by humans, with an average nest costing over £2000

Edible-nest swiftlets breed in colonies with shallow cup-shaped nests clinging to the rock of caves, cliff sides, or, on rare occasions, buildings.

The nest is white and transparent, made up of layers of hardened saliva that may take months to finish. The nests are high in calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium and are said to provide many health advantages.

5. Red ovenbird

(Furnarius rufus)

   The red ovenbird, also known as the rufous hornero, is Argentina's national bird and may be found across South America.

Nests of red ovenbirds resemble clay ovens and are built on trees or other tall structures such as fence posts or telephone poles.

The dome-shaped nests are made of mud, and although they may be formed in as little as 5 days, they normally take many months to finish.

Ovenbirds may occasionally reuse previous nests or construct new nests on top of old nests, resulting in several nests piled on top of each other.

6. Hamerkop

(Scopus umbrella)

   Hamerkops, sometimes known as hammerhead storks, umber birds, or anvil heads, are medium-sized wading birds ranging from Madagascar to Arabia.

They build magnificent nests that are over 1.5 meters wide and can hold a man's weight. Over 10,000 sticks are used to construct the nests, which are normally erected on the fork of a tree but may also be found on a cliff, wall, or dam.

Hamerkops line their nests with mud and adorn them with brightly colored things to insulate and protect them from water. Both sexes build the nest, and they may build up to four each year, whether they are breeding or not.

7. Gila woodpecker

(Melanerpes uropygialis)

    Gila woodpeckers are found in the Sonoran Desert scrub areas of southwest America and western Mexico.

Gila woodpeckers create holes approximately 5 cm wide between the ribs of saguaro cacti or mesquite trees by pecking through the cactus skin. They will then burrow lower to make room for their nests.

The cactus reacts by secreting sap that solidifies over time to form a hard shell that not only keeps the cactus wet but also protects the nest. Native Americans of the Seri tribe utilized the shells as "boots" to store or transport water. It is unlawful in Arizona to collect footwear from the wild.

8. European bee-eater

(Merops apiaster)

     European bee-eaters are found throughout southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. They have tried to breed at least five times in the UK, most recently in Cumbria in 2015.

They construct their nests by drilling a horizontal opening in the sand of a river embankment with their bill and then burrowing into the sand with their feet to make a tunnel up to a meter long.

A nesting chamber at the end of the tunnel is where the bee-eater deposits up to seven eggs. The tunnel is excavated by both the male and female, and European bee-eaters are one of the few European birds who have nest assistants. These helpers are often offspring of the breeding couple or brothers of the breeding male who failed to breed earlier in the year and assist with brood feeding.

9. Vogelkop bowerbird

(Amblyornis inornata)

    A common bowerbird of montane woodland on New Guinea's Bird's Head and Neck. Stocky with dull brown feathers. In contrast to other similar species, the male lacks a crest and looks like the female. 

The bower is a cone-shaped hut-like building that is around 100 cm high and 160 cm in diameter, with an entrance, generally supported by two column-like sticks. A few square meters of front "grass" are cleared of rubbish and moss is placed down. Decorations such as colorful flowers or fruit, gleaming beetle elytra, dead leaves, and other prominent things are gathered and tastefully set on this and in the bower's entrance.

The Ruddy kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda) - A Rusty-orange bird with a lipstick-red beak.

   The Ruddy(Halcyon coromanda) kingfisher is a dark rusty-orange bird with a lipstick-red beak. The bright azure blaze on the rump is particularly noticeable on flying birds. Shy and seldom seen out in the open, preferring deeply shaded rivers in dense, tangled woodlands. On the breeding grounds, it makes a loud descending rattle; throughout the winter, it is quiet.

The Ruddy kingfisher is a medium-sized tree kingfisher that may be found across east and southeast Asia. This 25-cm-long bird has a large, vivid red underside, which is complemented by similarly bright red legs. Their bodies are an orange-rust-red color that develops to a gorgeous purple towards the tail, which is largely hidden while the bird is in flight.

There is typical sexual dimorphism, which means it is difficult to tell the female from the male.

Though it is reported that the male's plumage is somewhat brighter.

  

The Ruddy Kingfisher is a migratory bird found in South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, China, and India. When migrating, they have been seen to fly as far as Borneo.

 

  From temperate to tropical locations, these birds prefer wooded environments near streams and rivers, frequently in dense jungles and rainforests. Because of its affinity for densely wooded locations, the kingfisher's loud, descending cry is more typically heard than seen, and these birds usually move alone or in couples.

  

   Ruddy, like other kingfishers, Kingfishers like to eat fish, crabs, and big insects, although, in locations with less running water, they have been seen eating rats, frogs, and other amphibians.

 

   From March through May, the mating season for the Ruddy Kingfisher species in India and Nepal. It is on the Malay Peninsula in May and late June in South Korea. Both birds build nests in tree holes, termite mounds, and sandbanks. Jointly, the male and female of this species are monogamous, and they both incubate the eggs. They will jointly care for and feed the chicks until they fully grow.

 The ruddy kingfisher's worldwide population estimate is unknown, although it is thought to be declining. It presently does not meet the criteria for vulnerability.

Source: theupdatepost.com

The 10 Most Dangerous and deadly Birds in the World - Beautiful But Dangerous..!

  What comes to mind first when we think about deadly birds? Perhaps you don't see a hulking pterodactyl pursuing you, but you could imagine birds of prey or even huge poultry. Surprisingly, certain birds, despite their small size, may pose serious threats.

 Other birds are just harmful in ways that you may not have considered. Let's learn more about these amazing flying animals and why they made our list of the top ten most deadly and dangerous birds in the world.

 The 10 Most Dangerous and deadly Birds in the World

 1. Cassowary

Scientific Name: Casuarius
The continent of Origin: Australia
Weight: 121-167 pounds
Height: 5.8 feet
Lifespans: up to 60 years

An adult cassowary

        The colorful-faced cassowary is a wonderful flightless bird. They are Australia's heaviest bird and only second in the world after the ostrich.

 These jet black-bodied birds are classified into three types. Females are bigger and, in general, more colorful than males. These birds have a casque on their heads, which is a thick covering of keratin (what our fingernails are made of).

 While they are undeniably beautiful, they are the most hazardous bird to mankind. You won't be surprised when you see the daggers on the inside of their legs. They, like roosters, have a defensive mechanism that allows them to kick and slash possible predators.

 Even though it may be lethal if approached too closely, it is useful in the wild.

 2. Ostrich

Scientific Name: Struthio camelus
The continent of Origin: Africa
Weight: 140-320 pounds
Height: 6.9-9 feet
Lifespan: 30 to 40 years

A Common Ostrich With her babies. (image © -avibirds.com)

     

    Introducing the world's biggest bird: the ostrich. These enormous birds are excellent runners from Africa. What they lack in flying, they compensate for with incredible speed. If the two of you were in a race, they could sprint brief spurts of up to 43 miles per hour.

 As you would expect from all that activity, these birds have strong legs. Ostriches have light, fluffy feathers that are pleasant to the touch rather than tight, harsh feathers, giving them a typical shaggy appearance. Because their feathers are not impermeable like those of other birds, they may become wet.

 When an ostrich is afraid, legend has it that it buries its head in the sand. While this may seem to be the case from a distance, it is not the case. As a sort of camouflage, they just extend out on the ground.

 When it comes to fitness or flight, these birds can unleash a tremendous kick powerful enough to kill a lion—so they're not joking.

 3. Emu

Scientific Name: Dromaius novaehollandiae
The continent of Origin: Australia
Weight: 79-88 pounds
Height: 5.7-6 feet
Lifespan: 25 to 28 years

(image © -australian.museum)

   

   The emu is the world's second-largest bird, although not its heaviest (that award goes to the cassowary, as we mentioned earlier in the article.) These fluffy, flightless species, which resemble ostriches, carry a powerful punch.

 They, too, have strong, muscular legs with three forward-facing toes that help them to move quickly. At maximum speed, an adult emu can sprint up to 30 miles per hour. Their fluffy body feathers provide a natural sunscreen or an additional layer of protection.

 The emu, like the previous two birds described, scares off predators by kicking them hard. In captivity, they also have fairly sassy attitudes and may be quite deadly if not treated correctly.

 4. Lammergeier

Scientific Name: Gypaetus barbatus
The continent of Origin: Asia, Africa
Weight: 13 pounds
Height: 40 inches
Lifespan: up to 40 years

(Image © -freepik.com)

  

   One glance at the lammergeier could be enough to terrify the pants off you and in this instance, appearances aren't misleading. These big birds resemble eagles, but they are shaggier and more malevolent. They consume carrion and bones, so they don't pose much of a hazard to living things, but there's a catch.

 These birds are known as "lamb vultures." And why, you ask? Because these birds are huge enough to steal cattle and even young children. Thankfully, the chances of such occurring are little to none since these vultures favor dead things.

 If you wander across their domain, you could receive something dropped on your head. These birds will often carry bones to dizzying heights before dropping them to the earth.

 So, if you happen to be underneath it, it might certainly do some harm. The odds of such occurring are approximately the same as being struck by lightning. So you're probably safe from the lammergeier.

 5. Great Horned Owl

Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
The continent of Origin: North America
Weight: 3.2 pounds
Height: 24 inches
Lifespan: 13 to 20 years

   While the magnificent great-horned owl is a ferocious predator, it poses little danger to people. While uncommon, an owl may attack a hiker or walker if they get too near to a nest.

 If you live in the country, these ferocious predators might pose a serious threat to your home pets. These huge birds may easily prey on small-breed dogs and cats. Because of their strong grasp, owl injuries may be incredibly difficult to cure.

Fortunately, most dogs and cats stay home or seek cover at night, making this a remote possibility. However, if the owl had that chance, they would very certainly attack. Squirrels, opossums, geese, hawks, snakes, and frogs are their primary food choices.

 6. Red-Tailed Hawk

Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis

The continent of Origin: North America

Weight: 2.4 pounds

Height: 18-26 inches

Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

(Image © - worldatlas.com)

     In the wild, the red-tailed hawk is a violent and merciless predator. It often snatches victims before they even know what's occurring. Though hawks are not often deadly to humans, they may be dangerous to smaller animals such as chickens.

 Red-tailed hawks hunt throughout the day yet blend in incredibly well with the natural environment. These efficient fliers have lightning-fast targeting abilities. They have powerful talons with which they collapse and hold their prey.

The Red-tailed hawks are day hunters with keen vision and precision flying. Interestingly, although this hawk will consume a variety of smaller rodents and reptiles, they may also consume carrion if hungry enough.

 There are falconry organizations that lawfully possess and fly hawks for entertainment purposes. These hawks will fly out to hunt and return with their catch. Before obtaining a license, you must complete specific training with a mentor.

 7. Great Northern Loon

Scientific Name: Gavia immer
The continent of Origin: Europe
Weight: 3.5-18 pounds
Height: 27-36 inches
Lifespan: 15 to 30 years

(Image © - britannica.com)

   The great northern loon belongs to the diving bird family. These lovely ducks have fascinating speckled patterns, blackheads, and bright red eyes.

 These birds may seem to be innocent, yet they may become rather aggressive during nesting season. If you manage to come upon their eggs, their beaks may rip and tear, causing considerable harm. If they feel threatened, they will use their beak like a sword to attack the predator.

 Even scarier, they often attack the head, neck, and eyes. So, during nesting season, your best strategy is to keep as far away from them as possible. They often nest near lakeshores, so keep an eye out between May and late June.

 8. Mute Swan

Scientific Name: Cygnus olor
The continent of Origin: North America
Weight: 19-26 pounds
Height: 47 inches
Lifespan: 20 to 30 years

(Image © - gettyimages.com)

   Mute swans, which may weigh up to 26 pounds, are among the biggest waterfowl. These birds are well-known for forming lifelong couples and swimming beautifully. These gorgeous animals may seem tranquil on the water, yet they are wary of any dangers. They are the most aggressive of the waterfowl species.

 Swans will be unconcerned as long as their territory is not threatened. When it comes time to mate, nest, and rear their young, these aggressive birds drive out practically all neighboring creatures. They also drive local birds away from their nests in order to keep the place alone while they inhabit it.

 Even though swans may be highly cantankerous if disturbed, you can prevent this behavior entirely by avoiding breeding areas. It's nice to sit back and admire these elegant animals, but maintain your distance.

 9. Australian Magpie

Scientific Name Gymnorhina tibicen
The continent of Origin: Australia
Weight: 708-12.3 ounces
Height: 14.5-17 inches
Lifespan: 25 years

(Image © - gettyimages.com)

   

        The Australian magpie is a medium-sized black and white passerine. They resemble the American crow and raven in appearance. But don't be fooled by their beauty; these birds are very territorial, with reports of assaults every year.

 When there is a perceived danger near their nesting location, they will attempt to "swoop" at the intruder. If they can, they will keep doing this, becoming more aggressive each time. It is so widespread in Australia that they call their nesting season "swooping season."

 Magpie swooping tragically resulted in the death of a five-month-old infant in Australia towards the end of summer. The magpie caused the baby's mother to slip and fall, causing her to be dropped. Despite being transported to the hospital, the infant died soon afterward.

 While it is not fair to suggest that magpies kill people, they may provide dangers and infection concerns.

 10. European Herring Gull

Scientific Name: Larus argentatus
The continent of Origin: Europe
Weight: 1.6-2.4 pounds
Height: 24-26 inches
Lifespan: up to 50 years

(image © - bbc.co)

          Although the European herring gull may seem to be a beach bird at first appearance, these birds may be rather testy during the breeding season. These birds may be found around Europe's coasts, depositing eggs on beaches. They usually congregate in couples that mate for life.

 When eggs are incubating, males fiercely defend the territory, keeping an eye out for any possible threats. They are so possessive that they may sometimes murder unfamiliar chicks of their own species. They have even been seen attacking dogs on the beach.

 They're inquisitive birds while being a touch feisty when it comes to guarding their young. They like stealing food from beaches and sniffing around to see if you have anything to give.

 

Conclusion

When we think of deadly creatures, birds may not even come to mind. However, when you look at all of the strong, aggressive diverse species, you can see that some of these birds mean business.

 Even though some of these birds seem to be bullies, they are only doing what nature intended.

Source: opticsmag.com

Parrots ( psittacines ) - Can a parrot speak?

Phylum :- Chordata
Class :- Aves
Clade :- Psittacopasserae
Order :- Psittaciformes

Parrots, also known as psittacines, are tropical and subtropical birds that belong to the order Psittaciformes, which includes 398 species in 92 genera. Psittacidae ("real" parrots), Cacatuoidea (cockatoos), and Strigopoidea (strigopoidea) are the three superfamilies that make up the order (New Zealand parrots). One-third of all parrot species are endangered, and parrots have the highest overall extinction risk (IUCN Red List Index) of any bird group. Parrots are found across the world, with numerous species residing in temperate zones of the Southern Hemisphere. South America and Australasia have the most diverse parrot populations. Since ancient times, parrots have been kept as cage birds, and they have always been popular because they are entertaining, intelligent, and friendly.

A powerful, curved beak, an erect stance, robust legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet are all characteristics of parrots. Many parrots have bright colors, and others have many colors. In the visual spectrum, most parrots show little or no sexual dimorphism. In terms of length, they are the most diverse bird order.

Seeds, nuts, berries, buds, and other plant materials are the most essential components of most parrots' diets. A few species consume animals and carrion sometimes, but lories and lorikeets specialize upon flower nectar and soft fruits. Almost all parrots lay white eggs in tree hollows (or nest boxes in captivity) from which altricial (helpless) chicks hatch.

Parrots, like ravens, crows, jays, and magpies, are among the most intellectual birds, and their ability to mimic human speech adds to their attractiveness as pets. Hunting, habitat degradation, and competition from alien species have all contributed to the decline of wild parrot populations, with parrots being exposed to greater exploitation than any other group of birds. Many of the less iconic species residing in the same ecosystems have been preserved as a result of measures made to conserve the habitats of some high-profile charismatic species.

Amazon parrots (Amazona)

Amazon parrots, for example, are excellent mimics (Amazona)., with somewhat erectile crown feathers and a short, squared tail. Their mostly green plumage is accented with brilliant colors, especially on the top head, and both sexes have similar appearances. Tropical forests of the West Indies, Mexico, and northern South America are home to Amazon parrots. They're tough to breed and maybe squawky as well as hostile.

World Parrot Day

World Parrot Day is observed every year on May 31.

Evolution

The variety of Psittaciformes in South America and Australasia shows that the order arose in Gondwana, which was centered in Australasia. The lack of parrots in the fossil record, on the other hand, makes it impossible to support the notion. In the early Cenozoic, there are now more fossil remains from the northern hemisphere. Molecular evidence suggests that parrots developed in Gondwana around 59 million years ago (Mya) (range 66–51 Mya). Neotropical parrots split into three main clades at 50 Mya (range 57–41 Mya).

A single 15 mm (0.6 in) piece from a big lower bill (UCMP 143274) discovered in the Lance Creek Formation in Niobrara County, Wyoming, was previously considered to be the earliest parrot fossil. It is thought to date from the Late Cretaceous era, some 70 million years ago. Other studies, on the other hand, suggest that this fossil is from a caenagnathid oviraptorosaur (a non-avian dinosaur with a birdlike beak), as several details of the fossil used to support its identity as a parrot are not exclusive to parrots, and it differs from the earliest-known unequivocal parrot fossils.

A supposed parrot relative's fossil skull from Wyoming's Eocene Green River Formation. 
Copyright ©- Wikipedia 

Around 50 million years ago, in tropical Eocene Europe, the first uncontroversial parrot fossils were discovered. Initially, the Psittaciformes were attributed to a neoavian called Mopsitta tanta, which was discovered in Denmark's Early Eocene Fur Formation and dated to 54 mya. However, the bone isn't clearly psittaciform, and it might instead be from the ibis species Rhynchaeites, whose fossil legs were discovered in the same sediments.

Several fairly complete skeletons of parrot-like birds have been found in England and Germany. These are probably not transitional fossils between ancestral and modern parrots, but rather lineages that evolved parallel to true parrots and cockatoos

Morphology

The buff-faced pygmy parrot weighs only 10 g (0.4 oz) and measures 8 cm (3.1 in) in length,149 whereas the hyacinth macaw measures 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, and the kakapo weighs 4.0 kg (8.8 lb). The three surviving Strigopoidea species are all huge parrots, and cockatoos are also large birds. The Psittacoidea parrots are significantly more diverse, spanning the whole size range of the family.

The buff-faced pygmy parrot ( Micropsitta pusio )

Hyacinth macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus )

The robust, curved, wide bill is the most noticeable physical feature. The upper mandible is prominent, with a downward curvature and a tip at the end. It is not connected to the skull, allowing it to move freely and contributing to the enormous biting pressure the birds can apply. The biting force of a giant macaw, for example, is 35 kg/cm2 (500 lb/sq in), comparable to that of a large dog. The lower mandible is shorter and has a strong, upward-facing cutting edge that slides anvil-like against the flat section of the upper jaw. The inner margins of the keratinized bill include touch receptors.

Cockatoos have a moveable crest of feathers on top of their heads that they can raise and lower for show. No other parrots can ruffle their crown and nape feathers, although Pacific lorikeets of the genera Vini and Phigys can, and the red-fan parrot (or hawk-headed parrot) has a noticeable feather neck frill that it can raise and lower at will. Green is the most common color in parrot plumage, while most species include some red or another color in minor amounts. Cockatoos, on the other hand, are mostly black or white with a splash of red, pink, or yellow. With a few notable exceptions, such as the Eclectus parrot, strong sexual dimorphism in plumage is not frequent among parrots. However, several parrot species have been demonstrated to have sexually dimorphic plumage in the UV spectrum, which is generally undetectable to humans.

Parrots have powerful zygodactyl feet (two toes facing forward and two toes facing back) with sharp, extended claws that help them climb and swing. Most parrots are capable of manipulating food and other things with dexterity comparable to that of a human's hands. Adult parrots are nearly entirely "left-footed" or "right-footed," and the prevalence of either preference among the population varies by species, according to research done with Australian parrots.

List of parrots

Habitat/Distributions 

Macaws ( Ara )

Australia and Oceania, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central America, South America, and Africa are just a few of the tropical and subtropical continents and locations where parrots may be found. Endangered species can be found on several Caribbean and Pacific islands. Australasia and South America have the largest number of parrot species. Lories and lorikeets may be found all over the world, from Sulawesi and the Philippines in the north to Australia and as far as French Polynesia in the south, with the highest diversity in and around New Guinea. All neotropical parrots, including amazons, macaws, and conures, belong to the Arinae subfamily, which spans northern Mexico and the Bahamas to Tierra del Fuego in southern South America. The Micropsittini tribe of pygmy parrots is a tiny genus found only in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Sun conure ( Aratinga solstitialis )

All neotropical parrots, including amazons, macaws, and conures, belong to the Arinae subfamily, which spans northern Mexico and the Bahamas to Tierra del Fuego in southern South America. The Micropsittini tribe of pygmy parrots is a tiny genus found only in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Three extant species of aberrant parrots from New Zealand belong to the Strigopoidea superfamily. The Platycercinae subfamily of broad-tailed parrots is limited to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands as far east as Fiji. Psittacoidea is the genuine parrot superfamily, which comprises species from Australia and New Guinea to South Asia and Africa. Cockatoo biodiversity is centered in Australia and New Guinea, while some species make their way to the Solomon Islands (including one that used to live in New Caledonia), Wallacea, and the Philippines.

Temperate regions of South America and New Zealand are home to a variety of parrots. The Thick-billed Parrot, Green parakeet, and now-extinct Carolina parakeet have all been known to live as far north as the southern United States. Many parrots have been imported to temperate climes and have developed permanent populations in places like New York City, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, and Greece. These birds may thrive in new environments, like the non-native red-crowned amazon population in the United States, which may match that of their home Mexico. The Kea, which is indigenous to New Zealand's South Island's Southern Alps mountain region, is the only parrot that can live in alpine conditions.

Cockatoo ( Cacatuidae )

Behavior

There are several difficulties in researching wild parrots since they are difficult to catch and mark once caught. The majority of wild bird research relies on banding or wing tagging, but parrots eat these attachments. Parrots also have a wide variety of behavior, thus there are numerous gaps in our understanding of them. The flight of certain parrots is powerful and straight. The majority of species spend a significant amount of time perched or climbing in tree canopies. Climbing is generally accomplished by grabbing or snagging on branches and other supports with their bills. Parrots frequently move with a rolling motion on the ground.

Foods and Diet

Seeds, fruit, nectar, pollen, buds, and occasionally arthropods and other animal prey make up a parrot's diet. For most real parrots and cockatoos, the most essential of them are seeds; the huge and strong bill has developed to open and ingest difficult seeds. Except for the Pesquet's parrot, all real parrots use the same technique to extract the seed from the husk: the seed is held between the mandibles, the lower mandible smashes the husk, the seed is rotated in the bill, and the remaining husk is removed. They may use their foot to hold huge seeds in place on occasion. Parrots are granivores, not seed dispersers, and many times when they are observed eating fruit, they are just doing so to get at the seed. Seed coatings and other chemically guarded fruit pieces are meticulously removed by parrots before eating, as seeds typically include toxins to protect them. Clay is consumed by several species in the Americas, Africa, and Papua New Guinea, releasing minerals and absorbing harmful chemicals from the stomach.

Lories, lorikeets, hanging parrots, and swift parrots are nectar and pollen eaters with brush-tipped tongues and specialized stomach adaptations. When nectar is accessible, many other species use it as well.

Particularly invertebrate larvae are prey for several parrot species. Golden-winged parakeets eat water snails, the New Zealand kea hunts adult sheep on rare occasions, and the Antipodes parakeet, another New Zealand parrot, raids nesting grey-backed storm petrel tunnels and kills the incubating adults. Some cockatoos, such as the New Zealand kaka, dig up branches and wood to eat grubs; the yellow-tailed black cockatoo's diet consists primarily of insects.

Breeding/Reproduction

Parrot Mating

Parrots are monogamous breeders who nest in cavities and do not have any territories outside of their nesting locations, with a few exceptions. Parrots and cockatoos have strong pair ties, and even if they join bigger groups, a couple stays close during the nonbreeding season. Courtship displays, which are quite simple in cockatoos, precede the establishment of pair bonds, as they do in many species. Slow, deliberate movements known as a "parade" or "stately walk" and the "eye-blaze," in which the pupil of the eye constricts to show the border of the iris, are prominent breeding displays in Psittacidae parrots, which are normally carried out by the male.

Egg Hatching

A New Born Parrot

Only the monk parakeet and five lovebird species make nests in trees, whereas three Australian and New Zealand ground parrots build nests on the ground. All other parrots and cockatoos build their nests in cavities carved into cliffs, banks, or the ground, or in tree hollows. In the Americas, the utilization of cliff holes is more widespread. Termite nests are used by several species, either to hide their breeding sites or to produce a favorable microclimate. Both parents are usually involved in the nest excavating process. The burrow's length varies per species, although it's normally between 0.5 and 2 meters (1.6 and 6.6 feet). Sticks, wood chips, and other plant materials are frequently used to line the nests of cockatoos. The availability of nesting hollows in bigger parrots and cockatoos may be restricted, resulting in fierce rivalry for them both within and between species, as well as with other bird groups. In some circumstances, the level of competition might reduce breeding success. Arborists have been effective in increasing breeding rates in certain regions by artificially creating hollows. The burrowing parrot, for example, breeds in colonies of up to 70,000 individuals. Colonialism is less widespread in parrots than one might assume, presumably because most species prefer to exploit existing cavities rather than dig their own.

Parrot Nest 

Parrot eggs are white. In most species, the female is responsible for all incubation, however, in cockatoos, blue lorikeets, and vernal hanging parrots, incubation is shared. The female stays in the nest for nearly the whole incubation period, being fed by both the male and during short pauses. Incubation times range from 17 to 35 days, with longer incubation times for bigger species. The newly born young are altricial, having scant white down or no feathers. Depending on the species, the young spend three to four months in the nest and may get parental care for several months beyond that.

Learning/intelligence

Some grey parrots have demonstrated the ability to link words to their meanings and construct simple sentences. Parrots are among the most intellectual birds, along with crows, ravens, and jays (family Corvidae). Psittacines and services have a brain-to-body size ratio that is comparable to that of higher primates. Birds use the mediorostral HVC for cognition rather than the cerebral cortex, as mammals do. Not only have parrots proven intelligence via scientific testing of their linguistic skills, but some species, such as the kea, are also very competent at utilizing tools and solving puzzles.

Many parrots are capable of mimicking human speech and other noises. According to research by scientist Irene Pepperberg, a grey parrot named Alex has a remarkable learning ability. Alex was taught to use words to identify, describe, and count items, as well as to answer complicated questions like "How many red squares?" With greater than 80% accuracy. Another grey parrot, N'kisi, has been found to have a vocabulary of about a thousand words, as well as the capacity to invent and utilize words in context in the proper tenses.

Parrots lack vocal cords, sound is produced by blowing air over the mouth of the trachea in the syrinx organ. Changing the depth and form of the trachea produces different sounds. Grey parrots have been popular pets since ancient times because of their excellent ability to replicate noises and human speech.

Relationship with humans

pets 

The parrots' ability to mimic human speech, as well as their vivid colors and elegance, entice unwary customers to make impulse purchases. The budgerigar, a little parrot that has been tamed, is the most popular of all pet bird species. The publication USA Today reported in 1992 that there were 11 million pet birds in the United States alone, many of them parrots. Europeans maintained birds that resembled the rose-ringed parakeet (also known as the ring-necked parrot), which was first described in a first-century account by Pliny the Elder.

They've been admired for their beauty and capacity to communicate for thousands of years, but they've also been misinterpreted. Some importers, for example, made parrots drink only coffee while being sent by sea, believing that clean water was harmful and that their methods would enhance survival rates during transportation, according to author Wolfgang de Grahl in his 1987 book The Grey Parrot. It is now widely acknowledged that coffee contains caffeine, which is hazardous to birds.

Some big parrot species, such as huge cockatoos, amazons, and macaws, have been known to live for over 100 years, with some living up to 80 years. Lovebirds, hanging parrots, and budgies are little parrots with shorter lifespans of 15–20 years. Some parrot species may be rather noisy, and many of the larger parrots can be destructive, necessitating a large cage and a constant supply of fresh toys, branches, and other chewable materials. Because of their intelligence, parrots learn tricks and other behaviors quickly, both good and negative, that gain them what they desire, such as attention or rewards.

Trade

The appeal of parrots as pets has resulted in a robust — and often illegal — parrot trade, and certain species are now endangered. The combination of wild bird capturing and habitat destruction makes life difficult, if not impossible, for several parrot species. The Wild Bird Population Act of 1992 made it unlawful to import wild-caught parrots into the United States and Europe.

Parrots Market

The Tony Silva case from 1996, in which a parrot specialist and former director of Tenerife's Loro Parque (Europe's largest parrot park) was sentenced to 82 months in prison and fined $100,000 in the United States for importing hyacinth macaws, demonstrates the scope of the problem (such birds command a very high price.)

Culture

For thousands of years, parrots have appeared in human literature, stories, art, humor, religion, and music, such as Aesop's tale "The parrot and the cat" and the Masnavi by Rumi of Persia's "The Merchant and the Parrot" in 1250. Parrot Society is a recent book about parrots in human culture.

Parrot feathers have been used in rituals and for ornamentation since ancient times. They have a long history as pets that dates back thousands of years, and they were frequently kept as a sign of power or riches. In modern Polynesian folklore in the Marquesas Islands, the hero Laka/Aka is said to have embarked on a long and perilous journey to Altona in what is now the Cook Islands in order to gather the highly treasured red parrot feathers as gifts for his son and daughter. On the trip to Aotona, 100 of his 140 rowers perished of starvation, but the survivors collected enough parrots to fill 140 sacks with their feathers.

Parrots have also been revered as sacred creatures. The ancient Peruvian Moche people revered birds and frequently featured parrots in their art. Parrots are mentioned frequently in Buddhist literature, and there are several texts about them. Amitbha, for example, once disguised himself as a parrot in order to convert others. Another old myth is that when a forest caught fire, the parrot was so worried that it carried water to put out the fire. When the lord of heaven saw the parrot's behavior, he was so moved that he sent rain to put out the fire. A parrot is sometimes represented hovering on the top right side of Guan Yin, clasping a pearl or prayer beads in its beak in Chinese Buddhist art. Nations and nationalism are represented by parrots. Dominica's flag has a parrot, and its coat of arms features two parrots. The national bird of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a Caribbean country, is the St. Vincent parrot.

The present English language is peppered with parrot proverbs. The dictionary definition of the verb "parrot" is "to repeat by rote." There are other clichés like the British idiom "sick as a parrot," which, while referring to intense disappointment rather than illness, may have originated from the disease psittacosis, which may be transmitted to people. In Aphra Behn's 1681 drama The False Count, a related term appears for the first time. Jimmy Buffett's fans are known as parrot heads. Parrots appear in a variety of media. Parrots as pets and parrot conservation are topics covered in magazines. Monty Python's "Dead Parrot comedy," Home Alone 3, and Rio are examples of fictional media, whereas documentaries include The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.

Conservation and threats

Parrots are primarily threatened by habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and, in certain cases, the wild-bird trade. Parrots are endangered because they are (or have been) hunted for food and feathers, as well as agricultural pests in some places. For a while, Argentina placed a bounty on monk parakeets, for this reason, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of birds, though the total population appears to have been unaffected.

Parrots are cavity nesters, they are vulnerable to the loss of nesting sites and competition for those sites from imported species. In certain regions, as in Australia, where ideal nesting trees must be centuries old, the loss of ancient trees is a significant challenge. Many parrots are exclusively found on islands, and, therefore, are vulnerable to imported animals like rats and feral cats because they lack the antipredator behaviors needed to deal with predators. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, are also a threat to island species like the Puerto Rican Amazon, which have small numbers in limited environments. Despite conservation efforts, the Puerto Rican amazon remains one of the world's rarest birds due to deforestation.

Several efforts dedicated to parrot conservation have been successful. The population of fragile kakapo has grown from 50 to 123 individuals thanks to translocation, careful management, and additional nutrition. The Ouvea parakeet was threatened in New Caledonia by trapping for the pet trade and habitat degradation. The population has grown from roughly 600 birds in 1993 to over 2000 birds in 2009 because of community-based conservation, which has eradicated the threat of poaching.

The IUCN recognizes 19 parrot species as extinct since 1500 as of 2009. This excludes species such as the New Caledonian lorikeet, which hasn't been officially spotted in almost a century yet is nonetheless classified as severely endangered.