Parrots

The parrots and their allies in the family Psittacidae include a wide range of groups of species. The systematics of psittacids is not totally agreed upon, but there appear to be six to eight subfamilies, some of which may eventually be segregated into separate families after additional research is completed. The major groups of parrots are described below.

The "typical" parrots are a heterogenous group that contains most species of psittacids, and comprises the subfamily Psittacinae. These range in size from the tiny hanging parrots (Loriculus spp.), only 3-3.5 in (8-9 cm) long, to the largest parrots, the macaws, which can reach a body length of more than 3 ft (1 m). Typical parrots occur throughout almost all of the range of the parrot family, including all of the native species of the Americas. A few prominent examples are the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), hyacinthine macaw, and green or common amazon (Amazona amazonica) of tropical forests in South America, the African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) and you-you (Poicephalus senegalus) of tropical rainforests in Africa, and the eclectus or red-sided parrot (Eclectus roratus) of tropical rainforests and eucalyptus forests of Australasia. This latter species is unusual in its sexual dimorphism, with the male having an all-green body with red wing-patches, and the female a red body with blue on the belly and wings.

The lories and lorikeets are about 60 species of often long-tailed species that make up the subfamily Loriinae, native from Southeast Asia through Australasia. These birds have a brush-tipped tongue, useful for feeding on nectar and pollen. The lories and lorikeets also eat fruits, seeds, and invertebrates. The rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) breeds in diverse types of forest in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands.

The long-tailed parrots are species in the subfamily Polytelitinae. The most familiar species to most people is the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) of Australia, which can be bred in captivity and is commonly kept as a pet.

The fig-parrots or lorilets are five species in the sub-family Opopsittinae. These are small-bodied, large-headed, short-tailed, fruit- and seed-eating birds of tropical forests. The double-eyed fig-parrot (Psittaculirostria diophthalma) occurs in Australia and New Guinea.

The broad-tailed parrots are 29 species of Australasia and New Zealand that make up the subfamily Platycercinae. The most familiar species is also the smallest in this group, the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) of Australia, which is one of the world's most popular cage-birds. The rosellas (Platycercus) are larger birds, and are also sometimes kept as pets.

The pygmy parrots are six species of tiny birds that comprise the subfamily Micropsittinae. These birds occur in tropical forests of New Guinea and nearby islands.

The kea (Nestor notabilis) and kaka (Nestor notabilis) of New Zealand are the only members of the sub-family Nestorinae. These are both relatively omnivorous species of montane regions, which include relatively large quantities of animal foods in their diet.

Double yellow Amazon parrot. Photograph by Robert J. Huffman. Field Mark Publications. Reproduced by permission.

The owl parrot or kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is the only member of the subfamily Strigopinae. The kakapo is a nocturnal, ground-living species that only occurs in high-elevation heathlands of New Zealand. This species cannot fly, although it can glide from higher to lower places, but must later walk back up. The continued survival of this unusual species is severely threatened by introduced predators, such as dogs.

The cockatoos are large birds with mobile crests, occurring in Australasia and parts of Southeast Asia. These are in the family Cacatuidae, and are not members of the Psittacidae, although they are very similar animals.