Psittaciformes

(vertebrate zoology) The parrots, a monofamilial order of birds that exhibit zygodactylism and have a strong hooked bill.

Parrots

(Psittacidae)

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Family: Psittacidae

Number of families: 1

Thumbnail description
Very small to large, often brightly colored birds with hooked bill and zygodactyl feet (two toes facing forward and two backward)

Size
3.2–39.4 in (8–100 cm); 0.02–6.6 lb (0.01–3 kg)

Number of genera, species
84 genera; 353 species

Habitat
Forests, woodlands, and savanna

Conservation status
Critically Endangered: 15 species; Endangered: 34 species; Vulnerable: 45 species; Lower risk: 30 species; 10 species extinct since 1600

Distribution
Mainly Southern Hemisphere and predominantly in tropical or subtropical regions, but north to latitude 34° north in eastern Afghanistan and south to latitude 55° south at Tierra del Fuego

Resources

Arndt, T. Lexicon of Parrots. Bretten: Arndt-Verlag, 1996.

Beissinger, S. R., and N. F. R. Snyder, eds. New World Parrots in Crisis: Solutions from Conservation Biology. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992. del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal, eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 4, Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, 1997.

Forshaw, J. M. Parrots of the World. 3rd ed. Melbourne: Lansdowne Edicions, 1989.

Juniper, A. T., and M. Parr. Parrots: A Guide to the Parrots of the World. Robertsbridge: Pica Press, 1997.

Low, R. Cockatoos in Aviculture. London: Blandford, 1993.

Low, R. Endangered Parrots. Revised ed. London: Blandford, 1994.

Low, R. Hancock House Encyclopedia of the Lories. Surrey: Hancock House, 1998.

Low, R. Parrots: Their Care and Breeding. 3rd ed. London: Blandford, 1992.

Rowley, I. Behavioural Ecology of the Galah Eolophus roseicapillus in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Chipping Norton: Surrey Beatty and Sons, 1990.

Snyder, N. F. R., J. W. Wiley, and C. B. Kepler. The Parrots of Luguillo: Natural History and Conservation of the Puerto Rican Parrot. Los Angeles: Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 1987.

Snyder, N., P. McGowan, J. Gilardi, and A. Grajal, eds. Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2000–2004. Gland: IUCN, 2000.

Adams, M., P. R. Baverstock, D. A. Saunders, R. Schodde, and G. T. Smith. "Biochemical Systematics of the Australian Cockatoos (Psittaciformes: Cacatuinae)." Australian Journal of Zoology 32 (1984): 363–77.

Brown, D. M., and C. A. Toft. "Molecular Systematics and Biogeography of the Cockatoos (Psittaciformes, Cacatuidae)." Auk 116 (1999): 141–157.

Christidis, L., R. Schodde, D. D. Shaw, and S. E. Haynes. "Relationships Among the Australo-Papuan Parrots, Lorikeets and Cockatoos (Aves: Psittaciformes) Protein Evidence." Condor 93 (1991): 302–317.

Christidis, L., D. D. Shaw, and R. Schodde. "Chromosomal Evidence in Parrots, Lorikeets and Cockatoos." Hereditas 114 (1991): 47–56.

Emison, W. B., C. M. Beardsell, and I. D. Temby. "The Biology and Status of the Long-Billed Corella in Australia." Proceedings of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology 5 (1994): 211–247.

Halse, S. A. "Parrot Damage in Apple Orchards in South-Western Australia—A Review." CALM Tech. Report (1986): 1–75.

Homberger, D. G. "The Evolutionary History of Parrots and Cockatoos: A Model for Evolution in the Australasian Avifauna." Acta XX Congressus International Internationalis Ornithologici (1991): 398–403.

Joseph, L. "A Review of the Conservation Status of Australian Parrots in 1987." Biological Conservation 46 (1988): 256–80.

Mayr, G., and M. Daniels. "Eocene Parrots from Messel (Hessen, Germany) and the London Clay of Walton-onthe-Naze (Essex, England)." Senckenbergiana Lethaea 78 (1998): 157–77.

Smith, G. A. "Systematics of Parrots." Ibis 117 (1975): 18–68.

Association for Parrot Conservation. Centro de Calidad Ambiental ITESM Sucursal de Correos J., C.P. 64849, Monterrey, N.L. Mexico.

Birds Australia Parrot Association, Birds Australia. 415 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East, Victoria 3123 Australia. Phone: +61 3 9882 2622. Fax: +61 3 9882 2677. E-mail: mail@birdsaustralia.com.au. Website:

Loro Parque Fundación. Loro Parque S.A. 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Canary Islands Spain.

Research Centre for African Parrot Conservation Zoology and Entomology Department. Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3201 Natal Republic of South Africa.

World Parrot Trust. Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HB United Kingdom. Web site:

[Article by: Joseph M. Forshaw]

The parrots, a large order of land birds found worldwide but with most species concentrated in the landmasses of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Australasia, the Neotropics, Africa, and southern Asia. Only a few species are found in the northern temperate regions. The parrots are most closely allied to pigeons, from which they have probably evolved. See also Columbiformes.

Although the parrots are generally placed in a single family, the Psittacidae, they are divided into a number of distinct subfamilies, which are listed below; the largest subfamily is the Psittacinae, with 247 species of parrots.

Order Psittaciformes

     Family Psittacidae

          Subfamily: Psittacinae (parrots)

                                   Cacatuinae (cockatoos)

                                   Micropsittinae (pygmy parrots)

                                   Strigopinae (owl parrot)

                                   Nestorinae (keas)

                                   Loriinae (lories)

                                   Psittrichadinae (Pesquet's parrot)

                                   Loriculinae (hanging parrots)

Parrots have a characteristic strong hooked bill. The tongue is large and fleshy. A short neck connects the large head to the stocky body. The wings are of medium length, varying from pointed to rounded. The legs are short and stout with strong, clawed toes arranged in a zygodactyl pattern, two pointing forward and two backward. The tail varies from short to long. Parrots fly well and can attain high speeds, but even those few parrots that are migratory journey only short distances. One species, the owl parrot, is flightless. Parrots can walk well but not rapidly. The parrot's plumage is variable; most often it is green, but red, orange, yellow, blue, black, and white in bold, bright patterns are also common. Parrots are mainly vegetarians, eating seeds, nuts, fruit, nectar, or pollen; a few consume animal food.

Parrots are social birds and usually live in flocks. Almost all species have a strong pair bond, remaining together year-round for life. Parrots are found mainly in the tropics and in the southern continents, and the center of parrot radiation is the Australia-New Zealand region. Many parrots in captivity have an excellent ability to mimic words, and some can be taught a large vocabulary. However, parrots are not known to mimic the calls of other birds in the wild. Their vocalizing ability is probably important for the constant communication between mates.

Parrots are the most important birds in the avicultural and pet trade, with most species kept in captivity. Because the demand for parrots is so great, many countries have imposed exportation bans on native birds or importation restrictions on wild-trapped parrots. See also Aves.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: an order of birds including parrots and amazons and cockatoos and lorikeets and lories and macaws and parakeets
  Synonym: order Psittaciformes