Quick Answer
Yes, parrots are considered birds. Parrots belong to the biological order Psittaciformes, which is part of the class Aves – the scientific classification for birds. All parrots, including macaws, cockatoos, parakeets, and lovebirds, share the key characteristics that define avian species: feathers, wings, beaks, and laying hard-shelled eggs. There are over 350 species of parrot found worldwide.
What makes a parrot a bird?
Parrots belong to the class Aves, which contains all bird species. Birds are bipedal, warm-blooded vertebrates which lay hard-shelled eggs, and have features including feathers, wings, and beaks. As members of Aves, parrots share all of these key characteristics:
Feathers
Like all birds, parrots have feathers covering their bodies which provide insulation to retain body heat. Their feathers are especially colorful, a distinguishing feature of parrots. The feathers provide an aerodynamic body shape and allow for flight.
Wings
Parrots have forelimbs adapted as wings which allow them to fly. The wings have strong muscles which power rapid flapping during flight. The wings are covered in long feathers which give them lift.
Beaks
Parrots have characteristic curved beaks suited for cracking nuts and seeds. The beak shape varies between species based on diet. Like all bird beaks, the parrot’s beak has no teeth and is composed of keratin, calcium, and bone.
Hard-shelled eggs
All birds including parrots lay amniotic eggs with hard calcium carbonate shells and internal membranes. The shell protects and provides calcium for the developing embryo. Parrots typically lay 2-12 eggs per clutch.
Parrot anatomy
In addition to having the defining features of birds, parrots have distinctive anatomy including:
Strong legs and clawed feet
Parrots have two clawed toes pointing forward and two pointing back on each foot, an adaptation known as zygodactyl feet. This gives them a strong grip for climbing and holding food.
Hooked upper beak
The upper portion of the parrot’s beak is curved downward to form a hook which is used for climbing and gripping food. The lower beak has a movable hinge to facilitate chewing.
Large brain
Parrots have relatively large brains compared to other birds, with advanced cognition and reasoning skills. Their brains have enlarged forebrains for intelligence and learning.
Mimicry vocalizations
Parrots have a unique larynx and vocal abilities allowing them to mimic human speech and other sounds. They produce sounds by pushing air across their specialized vocal organs.
Color vision
Parrots are tetrachromatic, with specialized cone cells in their eyes allowing them to see ultraviolet light. This gives them more perceptive color vision compared to humans.
Seed digestion
Parrots have a digestive system adapted to digesting seeds and nuts comprising their diet. Their intestinal tract has a large cecum containing bacteria that ferments and digests plant matter.
Parrot classification
Parrots comprise the biological order Psittaciformes, which contains 3 families, 87 genera, and over 350 species:
Families
- Psittacidae – true parrots and allies, 169 species
- Cacatuidae – cockatoos, 21 species
- Strigopidae – New Zealand parrots, 5 species
Major genera
- Amazona – Amazon parrots
- Ara – macaws
- Cyanopsitta – blue parakeets
- Eclectus – eclectus parrots
- Melopsittacus – budgerigars
- Pionites – conures
Some examples of parrot species include:
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| African Grey Parrot | Psittacus erithacus |
| Budgerigar | Melopsittacus undulatus |
| Cockatiel | Nymphicus hollandicus |
| Scarlet Macaw | Ara macao |
| Sulfur-crested Cockatoo | Cacatua galerita |
Unique features of parrots
In addition to the anatomy and classification as birds, parrots have many distinctive features including:
Bright plumage
Parrots have brightly colored feathers unlike any other birds. Colors include red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, and white. The bright plumage likely evolved for mate attraction.
Strong bite force
Parrots have incredibly powerful bites, made possible by strong jaw muscles and a large cranium. Their bite force is enough to crush nuts and seeds.
Rotating feet
Parrots can rotate their feet nearly 180 degrees thanks to a highly flexible tarsometatarsal joint on each foot. This helps them climb effectively.
Preen oil
Parrots secrete an oil from their uropygial gland near the base of the tail. They spread this oil through their feathers as a cleaning and waterproofing mechanism.
Syrinx vocal organ
Parrots have a unique vocal organ called the syrinx located at their tracheal bifurcation. It allows them to mimic human speech and other noises.
Psittacine beak and feather disease
Parrots are prone to this contagious viral disease that causes feather loss, beak abnormalities, and eventually death. It indicates their close genetic relationships.
Parrot intelligence
Parrots are renowned for their intelligence, considered among the smartest of all bird species:
Advanced cognition
Parrots display strong cognitive abilities including understanding shapes, colors, object permanence, and basic language. Some species like the African grey parrot have emotional intelligence and reasoning on par with a 5-year-old human child.
Social bonds
Parrots form close social connections and show evidence of mourning when their bonded companions die. They communicate vocally within large social flocks.
Tool use
Many parrots use tools in the wild, such as sticks or objects to obtain out-of-reach food items. This shows an ability to analyze and solve complex problems.
Mimicry
Parrots don’t just mimic speech as a mindless habit, but can associate words and phrases with meaning. Some have vocabularies in the hundreds of words.
Self-awareness
Parrots recognize themselves in mirrors, indicating self-awareness a trait only found in intelligent animals. Marking them leaves them trying to remove the mark.
| Parrot species | Intelligence examples |
|---|---|
| African grey parrot | – Understands shapes, colors, quantities – Associates words with objects – Solves reasoning problems |
| Macaws | – Uses tools to get food – Strong memory – Makes playful vocalizations |
| Cockatoos | – Emotional intelligence – Long-term bonding – Expresses joy and amusement |
| Amazon parrots | – Advanced problem-solving – Short-term memory – Communicates needs vocally |
Parrot evolution
The evolutionary history of parrots dates back millions of years:
Originated in Gondwana
The oldest known parrot fossils date to around 50 million years ago in the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, corresponding to the modern Southern Hemisphere landmasses.
Descended from dinosaurs
Parrots are thought to have evolved from early Cretaceous ground-dwelling dinosaur ancestors, based on anatomical similarities in their skulls and bones.
Radiated during Miocene
Extensive diversification and spread of parrot species occurred during the Miocene epoch 5-23 million years ago as Gondwana broke apart.
Isolated in Australasia
Parrots inhabited Australia and New Zealand for millions of years with little external competition. This isolation led to the evolution of many endemic species like the kakapo.
Reached wider world <16 mya
Fossil evidence shows parrots dispersing beyond Australasia through Asia and into Europe less than 16 million years ago as Australia drifted northwards.
| Time period | Event |
|---|---|
| Late Cretaceous, 66 mya | Proto-parrots evolved from dinosaurs |
| Paleogene, 55 mya | Oldest parrot fossils appear |
| Miocene, 23-5 mya | Radiation of modern parrot families |
| Pliocene, 5-2.5 mya | Parrots spread outside Australasia |
Parrot habitats
Parrots adapted to diverse habitats across the tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide:
Tropical rainforests
Many parrot species inhabit dense, wet tropical forests in South America, Africa, and Asia Pacific providing fruit and nesting sites.
Savannas
Savanna and grassland ecosystems support parrots like cockatiels across Australia, Africa, and South America with seed food sources.
Deserts
Arid desert habitats with palm oases are home to parrots like the Australian princess parrot which is adapted to drought conditions.
Temperate forests
Some parakeet species have ranges extending into temperate forest areas in South America and New Zealand.
Coastal habitats
Mangroves, shorelines, and other coastal ecosystems provide habitat for lorikeets, conures, and macaws which feed on sea-based foods.
Human settlements
Many parrot species readily occupy human-altered environments including agricultural areas and urban gardens.
Major parrot habitats:
| Region | Example habitats |
|---|---|
| South America | Amazon rainforest Caatinga savanna Andean mountains |
| Central America | Lowland rainforests Cloud forests Mangroves |
| Africa | Congo rainforest West African savanna Rift valley lakes |
| Asia-Pacific | New Guinea rainforest Australian bushland Melanesian islands |
Threats to parrots
Many parrot species face threats to their survival including:
Habitat destruction
Logging, agriculture, urbanization and other human activities destroy forest and woodland habitats needed by parrots.
Capture for pet trade
Wild parrots are illegally taken from forests in large volumes for the live pet trade, depleting populations.
Competition from invasives
Invasive species disrupt native ecosystems and compete with parrots for food and nesting resources. Feral cats and rats also prey on parrots.
Climate change
Climate changes like droughts or severe storms may make habitats less suitable and reduce populations.
Persecution as pests
Some parrots are killed by farmers and orchardists for raiding crops, despite their protected status.
| Species | Major threats |
|---|---|
| Hyacinth macaw | Trapping for pet trade Habitat loss in South America |
| Kakapo | Habitat loss in New Zealand Predation by invasives |
| Echo parakeet | Habitat degradation Disease |
| Red-fronted macaw | Illegal trapping Low genetic diversity |
Conservation efforts
Conservation initiatives aim to protect endangered parrots:
Habitat protection
Securing habitats from deforestation and degradation maintains ecosystems needed by wild parrots.
Breeding programs
Captive breeding and reintroduction seeks to boost populations of critically endangered species.
Trade restrictions
Bans on international commercial trade of wild parrots helps combat trapping.
Invasive control
Removing harmful invasive predators like rats protects island sanctuaries used by vulnerable parrots.
Nest protection
Monitoring and guarding nest sites during breeding season increases productivity.
| Species | Conservation actions |
|---|---|
| Philippine cockatoo | Habitat restoration Captive breeding Nest protection |
| Golden conure | Surveys for remnant wild populations Captive breeding |
| Orange-bellied parrot | Habitat management for breeding Release of captive-bred birds |
| Jacarini spix’s macaw | Search for any remaining birds Maintain captive population |
Conclusion
In summary, parrots are unequivocally classified as birds based on their biological traits of feathers, wings, eggs, and other avian features. All 350+ parrot species belong to the avian order Psittaciformes. Parrots also display amazing intelligence and adaptations allowing them to thrive in diverse habitats worldwide. However, many parrot species now face threats from human activities and are the focus of targeted conservation efforts. Their status as birds gives them legal protections in most countries to support their survival. Understanding parrots’ status as birds along with their unique characteristics can help people appreciate these remarkable creatures. Going forward, further research and habitat preservation will be key to protecting the longevity of parrot populations.
