Parrots are some of the most iconic birds on the planet. And while we may commonly associate them with pirates in movies, many people keep them as pets. However, not everyone knows what features define a parrot. After all, identifying the differences between parrots, parakeets, and other types of birds can be confusing. In this guide, we’ll clearly explain what makes a parrot a parrot!
Parrots Have a Curved Beak
One of every parrot’s most distinctive features is its curved beak. Known as a hookbill, parrots use it to crush and crack hard-shelled nuts. These beaks are very powerful and essential to their survival. They can even break open Brazil nuts! Parrots can also pick up small seeds with the pointy end of their bills. Then, they use their tongue to secure the seed before swallowing it.
Beaks aren’t just for eating; they are multifunctional tools that help parrots survive. For example, parrots use their bills for feather-preening and self-defense against predators. Some even use them as climbing aids or to swing between branches.
Scissor beak is a common parrot beak problem where the top and bottom of their bills become misaligned. This avian health condition can arise from poor breeding, malnutrition, or improper incubation. You can avoid this issue in your parrot by offering a well-balanced diet and securing your pet from an ethical breeder.
True Parrots Stand Upright
Another noteworthy aspect of parrots is their amazing posture. New parrot owners may notice that their birds always sit upright in a very proud, almost haughty position. This is an adaptation that helps a parrot communicate without speaking a word.
The way they sit can have different meanings. Usually, when they sit upright with relaxed feathers, they aren’t stressed. They will flare their feathers when they are feeling territorial. If your parrot hunches over for a prolonged period, it may mean something is wrong. Take your pet to an experienced avian vet if you have any worries about their health.
Zygodactyl Feet Allow for Enhanced Dexterity
Parrots are one of several bird species with zygodactyl feet. In short, this means that two of their toes point forward while two more point behind. Most birds with zygodactyl feet also have sharp talons. They include woodpeckers, owls, and many other birds of prey. Zygodactyl feet in birds allow them to manipulate objects and grip them with amazing strength.
Parrots use their toes to pick up nuts and other objects. They hold them tight before breaking them open with their hooked beaks. Parrots also have very powerful legs relative to their size!
Parrots Possess Remarkable Intelligence
There’s no doubt that parrots are amongst the most intelligent living creatures. Experts believe they are as smart as some primates and corvids (ravens and crows). They have outstanding problem-solving abilities. Parrots can use stones and other objects as tools to break shells for food.
Meanwhile, everyone knows that some species can even replicate human speech. You can teach certain parrots to talk. One study estimated that parrots can perform certain tasks at the same level as a five-year-old human. African grey parrots are one of the smartest species and have excellent memories. Parrots can also do math and use deductive reasoning. It’s amazing what they’re capable of!
Vivid Colors Help Parrots Appear Larger
Pure parrots have vivid and eye-catching colors that make them visually appealing to mates. They also serve as a defensive mechanism to confuse predators. For instance, their bright shades disguise the outline of their bodies and make them seem bigger. Macaws are a classic example of colorful parrots because of their gorgeous multi-colored plumages. Cockatoos are an exception because they typically have white, grey, or black feathers.
All Parakeets Are Parrots (But Not Vice Versa)
Many people struggle to define the difference between a parrot and a parakeet. It’s tricky because all parakeets are parrots, but not all parrots are parakeets.
We can usually define parrots as being larger than parakeets. They also typically have shorter tails relative to the size of their bodies. Typically, parrots are also more intelligent than parakeets, as we can train them to replicate more sounds. Parrots have longer lifespans with some varieties living for over 80 years. Parakeets typically live for about 20 years in captivity.
Size is the main difference when we refer to parakeets and parrots. Parrots are bigger with chunkier beaks and heavier bodies. Parakeets include small birds like budgies and rosellas.
Examples of Commonly Known Parrots
There are 402 known species of parrot in the world in three subfamilies. We have pure parrots (psittacoidea), cockatoos (cacatuidae), and New Zealand parrots (Strigopoidea).
Examples of these birds include:
- Scarlet macaws. Scarlet macaws are probably the most iconic parrot species. Hailing from Central and South America, these brightly colored birds have unusually long tails. They have larger beaks than most other parrot varieties.
- Cockatoos. There are 21 varieties of this parrot type. The sulphur-crested cockatoo is the most distinctive with its snow-white plumage and yellow crest. However, the cockatiel is a more common pet because of its smaller size. Cockatoos have crests on their heads that separate them from other parrots. Usually, they’re less brightly colored than true parrots, too.
- Kākāpō. The kākāpō is the heaviest parrot species on the planet. New Zealand’s three indigenous parrots evolved differently because of their isolation. The kākāpō is the only flightless parrot and weighs up to eight pounds. Maori kept them as pets because they were unafraid of humans. Now, they are critically endangered because of invasive species eating their eggs.
