Parrot
Parrot Introduction:
The parrot is a medium sized group of birds, with the parrot being best known for its extremely brightly colored feathers, and the ability of some parrot species to talk, as these species are able to mimic sounds made by other animals such as humans.
There are thought to be over 350 species of parrot worldwide, ranging across rainforest regions of the Southern Hemisphere. The parrot tends to inhabit densely forested areas, where the parrot hunts insects and small mammals, as well as eating nuts, seeds and fruits. The parrot can grow between 8cm and 1m, depending on the parrot species.
The Pygmy Parrot is the smallest species of parrot in the world, growing to around the same size as an adult human’s finger. The Pygmy Parrot is found in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest species of parrot in the world, growing to more than a meter in height and native to the jungles of central and eastern South America. However, the endangered kakapo of New Zealand can often be heavier than the Hyacinth Macaw, with the kakapo often reaching more than 3kg in weight.
The parrot is believed to be one of the most intelligent of all the bird species, mainly in the sense that parrots are able to replicate (mimic) the noises made around them. Some parrots are able to mimic modern sounds and human voices to almost perfection.
One African Grey Parrot was found to have a vocabulary of more than 800 words! Nearly all of the different parrot species around the world are known to live for a long time, particularly in comparison to other species of bird (even other species of animals).
The average lifespan of the parrot is around 60 years, although it is not uncommon for parrots to be much older ages, as many parrot individuals have reached the age of 100. Parrots are identifiable by a number of their features, the brightly colored feathers of the parrot being the most obvious one.
Parrots are known to have sharp, curved beaks which help parrots to crack nuts open more easily and to access fruits on the trees. Parrots also have strong legs but are most well-known for the fact that there are four toes on each of the parrot’s two feet, two of these toes face forwards and the other two toes face backwards.
These remarkable feet help the parrot not only to perch on tree branches more easily but also aid the parrot in climbing tree trunks or clambering through the dense jungle foliage.
Keywords to learn
Foliage: Plant leaves collectively.
Majority: The greater number.
About Me:
Hey Kids, my name is Paris the Parrot and I am very happy to meet you. Learn more about me and my species @ www.kids.nationalgeographic.com
Key Parrot Data:
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Order:Psittaciformes.
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Lifespan:40 – 80 years.
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Class:Aves
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Scientific Name:Psittacine.
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Mass:10g – 4,000g (0.02lbs – 5.9lbs).
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Length:8cm – 100cm (3.5in – 39in).
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Region found:Central America, South America, Asia, Australia.
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Population Status:Endangered.
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Current population trend:Decreasing.
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Diet:Omnivorous.
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Sexual maturity:2-6 years.
Parrots are beautiful colorful, flamboyant birds with many different species, and are also very popular as house pets as they are easy to keep and some of them can even talk back!
Now that you know more about the Parrot by learning the key data above, be sure also to check out the fun facts. When you are finished learning the facts, try answering the questions in the Q&A corner on the bottom right side of the page.
Download questions about how the parrot here: Parrot (answers are on this page)
Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on the parrot. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets
Parrot Fun Facts for Kids:
- # 1. Parrot populations are rapidly declining mainly due to deforestation and therefore destruction of the parrot’s natural habitat.
- # 2. Parrots are also a popular animal in the exotic pet trade and are trapped in the wild to be delivered to homes around the world.
- # 3. Due to their large size (of the majority of parrot species) and intelligence, parrots have few natural predators in the wild. Humans are the main predator of the parrot along with monkeys, snakes and large birds of prey that tend to feed more on the eggs of the parrot rather than the bird itself.
- # 4. The African Grey parrot is the most intelligent parrot and therefore is the most intelligent flying creature. In captivity it often mimics their keepers and as a result makes very funny videos to post online and social media platforms.
- # 5. New Zealand is home to some very unique parrots including the keas, kaka and kakapo. Keas are large, intelligent parrots that live in alpine areas of New Zealand’s South Island. They are the world’s only alpine parrot and are known for their curious and sometimes cheeky behavior near ski fields where they like to investigate bags, steal small items and damage cars.
Q&A Corner
- # 1. How many species of parrots are there in the world?
- # 2. How many words can the African Grey speak?
- # 3. What is the average lifespan of the parrot?
- # 4. Name one main reasons the parrot is going endangered?
- # 5. Name a Parrot from New Zealand?
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