Thinking of adopting a parrot? Know these facts before getting one.
If you have left dogs, cats and fish behind and decided to adopt a parrot then you have come to the right place. No, we aren’t going to tell you what kind of a parrot will suit your lifestyle or anything else on those lines. Instead, we are going to give you a rundown of parrot facts you need to know before getting it.
Here are some of those facts.
Not all parrots reside in tropical regions
There are roughly 350 known species of parrots. Out of this, most live in subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, Central and South America, Australia and Africa. But some like Keas live in alpine regions of New Zealand while the maroon-fronted parrots reside in the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains in Mexico.
Parrots are known to be intelligent birds
We know parrots can speak words but apart from that they also associate them with situations or objects. These birds can use tools and solve problems. Scientists believe that parrots have the logic of a four-year-old.
Parrots have almost a human lifespan
Many people don’t know this but parrots can easily outlive their caretakers. Large species of the bird are known to live between 35 and 50 years. The oldest living parrot is currently an 83-years-old dwelling in Brookfield Zoo, Chicago.
Not all parrots can fly
Yes, it may come as a shock but not all parrots can fly. The world’s largest parrot species, kakapo, is flightless but it is good at jumping and climbing trees. Also, this parrot is heavy as it can weigh nearly nine pounds and grow more than two feet in length.
The beaks of these birds are strong
The curved broad beaks of parrots are their most noticeable feature. The beaks are not only large but are also strong. In fact, the world’s largest flying parrot, hyacinth macaw’s beak is strong enough to crack macadamia nuts and the Brazil nut pods. That’s why these birds need to be handled with care.
Parrots can eat food with their feet
Parrots are the only birds that can eat with their feet because they have zygodactyl feet. This means they have four toes on each foot with two facing forward and two facing backwards. Thus, like humans, it makes it easier for them to pick up objects like food and bring them to their mouths.
Now that you know all these facts, you are ready to adopt your very own parrot.
