Size/Color
Because the parrot order includes so many different species, parrot sizes vary widely. Parrots can range in size from about 3.5 to 40 inches (8.7 to 100 centimeters) and weigh 2.25 to 56 ounces (64 g to 1.6 kg), on average. The world's heaviest type of parrot is the kakapo, which can weigh up to 9 lbs. (4 kg). The smallest parrot is the buff-faced pygmy parrot, which is only about 3 inches (8 cm) tall and weighs just 0.4 ounces (10 g). There are some parrot speciesthat are multi-colored. They come in bright blue, yellow, green, white and mixtures of two or more of these colors. They are often nicknamed winged rainbows. Some of these parrot species are wild while some are docile in nature.
Unique Characteristics
Parrots are intelligent animals who depend on some degree of socialization and will not be good pets Unless they are taught and patterned to be great pets.
Species
Parrots are members of the order Psittaciformes, which includes more than 350 bird species, including parakeets, macaws, cockatiels and cockatoos, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System(ITIS). Though there are many types of parrots, all parrot species have a few traits in common. For example, to be classified as a parrot, the bird must have a curved beak, and its feet must be zygodactyl, which means there are four toes on each foot with two toes that point forward and two that point backward.
Endangered or Not?
Parrots remain the most popular pet birds. This is due to their fascinating colors, their intelligence, attachment to their owners and their ability to imitate the human voice, but also to their adaptability to the captive life. This is exactly what led many species to the brink of extinction, and some species are already extinct.
Sounds
Depending on the species, a parrot can make a variety of sounds, including a screaming squawk, chirps, human words, kissing sounds and nearly any other sound the master mimic hears. Parrots are highly social creatures that screech, whistle and make other noises to get the attention of their owner.
