Parrots

At least 15 species in the parrot family have recently become extinct, all as a result of human influences. The greatest threats to rare and endangered psittacids are to species occurring in naturally small populations, for example, those endemic to islands or to unusually restricted, continental habitats. These species are mostly put at risk by habitat losses associated with the conversion of their natural ecosystems into agricultural, urban, or forestry land-uses. In addition, rare species of psittacids have great value in the illicit pet trade, and illegal trapping can further endanger their already small populations.

In certain cases, members of the parrot family are considered to be serious agricultural pests. This happens when locally abundant populations destroy fruits in orchards, or eat large quantities of ripe grain. These species are sometimes persecuted to reduce those damages.

Psittacids are economically beneficial in some places, because bird-watchers and other tourists come to see these animals, either in their natural habitat, or in aviaries or theme parks. For example, feeding stations for wild psittacids are maintained in several places in Australia, as tourist attractions. One place in Queensland draws thousands of rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus) and scaly-breasted lorikeets (T. chlorolepidotus) to daily feedings, and is a renowned attraction for tourists. In other places, theme parks have developed around world-class collections of tame or caged parrots, for example, Parrot World in Florida.

Numerous species of psittacids are kept as pets. Their attraction includes their beautiful plumage, interesting behavior, tameness if they are raised from a young age, and the fact that some species can be trained to imitate human speech. The parrots whose natural calls are rasping and harsh tend to be the most proficient mimics of human words.

The most abundant psittacids in captivity are the budgerigar, cockatiel, peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), masked lovebird (A. personata), green amazon, and African gray parrot. Many other species are also kept as pets, but less commonly. These birds sometimes escape from their cages, or are deliberately released in attempts to establish breeding populations, mostly for aesthetic reasons.