Parrots!

Parrots are some of the most beautiful and colorful birds on Earth. Their feathers can be like a rainbow of many colors. There are more than 400 different species of parrots and ach one has its own special look and personality. Parrots live in warm places around the world, including the rainforests of South America, the jungles of Africa and Asia, and the forests of Australia and nearby islands. Parrots are so much more than a bird with beautiful feathers, they are some of the smartest and most fascinating animals on Earth.

Parrots are problem solvers. They can be a detective, and a student all at once. They like to figure out problems and solve puzzles. Believe it or not, they learn by watching other parrots and animals, including humans. Parrots don’t really understand language the way people do, but they can talk because they are excellent imitators. They use a special voice box called the syrinx, along with their tongue and beak, to copy sounds they hear, including words, whistles, ringing phones, and even laughter. Some parrots can learn hundreds of words.

Not all parrots are the same. The hyacinth macaw is the largest parrot in the world. It can grow about 3 feet long. The smallest parrot is the tiny buff-faced pygmy parrot, which is only about 3 inches long. The rainbow lorikeet is the most colorful species and one of the smartest parrots is the African gray. In New Zealand, you can see the only flightless parrot, the kakapo. From giant blue macaws to tiny pygmy parrots and brilliant African grays, every species has something extraordinary that makes it unique.

Many people dream of having a parrot as a pet because they are beautiful, playful, and full of personality. However, parrots are not easy to care for. They can live for 10 to 80 years and they need a lot of care and attention. The best owners learn everything they can about parrots before getting one. Some people don’t understand what it takes to be a parrot parent and have let their parrots loose. Some of those birds have established breeding colonies in places like California, Texas and Florida. If you live in the United States of America and you look out of a window and you think you see a wild parrot it may be the real deal. There are now 23 states that have feral parrot populations.