Parrots were first tamed in India andwere considered sacred birds, and in the IV century BC appeared in Europe. They were brought with them by participants of the Eastern March of Alexander the Great. Parrots from India were distributed in the Roman Empire, and later from Africa. In the XV century these birds were brought to Russia. Today they are your favorite pets, and on the Internet are very popular.
The vast majority of species live withinCentral and South America. On the territory of Africa, Southeast Asia and Hindustan there are several tens, and in New Zealand, Oceania and the Philippines - 109 species. In Europe and the North American continent there are no parrots at all, without taking into account imported ones. But in the United States there are cases when released birds have survived and led their usual lifestyle in severe climatic conditions. The northern border of the distribution range of parrots is in East Afghanistan, and the southern boundary is in the forests of Argentina and Chile.
Usually parrots live in the crowns of trees, but some of themrepresentatives live in open spaces and even in the mountains. For example, they are often found in the mountains of New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tibet. Some species prefer the ocean coast, and others, on the contrary, are arid regions (Central Australia).
The parrot family consists of 328 species, which are grouped into 5 subfamilies:
The length of the body of parrots, depending on the speciesis 9.5 cm - 1 m. Weight - from 10 g to 1 kg. Short rare feathers of bright color, the predominant color of which is bright green. In combination with it, other colors - red, blue, yellow - play an important role of camouflage. Photos of parrots are usually very saturated and bright. However, the color of these birds for the human eye is an optical illusion. Numerous air bubbles on the feathers refract light, so, for example, the purple feathers that appear in the blue macaw are actually brown. In most species living in South America and Africa, males and females outwardly practically do not differ from each other. However, in parrots of Asia and the Pacific islands, sexual dimorphism is particularly pronounced. For example, the male reddish parrot from New Guinea is green, and the female is red.
Wings are large, pointed, and there are up to 20 feathers. The tail consists of 12 feathers. Flying parrots quickly, but for short distances, as well as swiftly move through the trees.
A distinctive feature of representativesfamily parrots is a large beak. It is incredibly durable, which allows birds to easily grind solid fruits. When a parrot climbs trees, the beak helps it to cling to the branches of trees, performing the role of the third limb. Short thick paws with moving fingers are feathered to the heel. The first and fourth fingers on the paws are turned back and allow tight grip on the branch, making it easier to move. Compared with other representatives of the feathered brain in parrots quite a large volume. They have a wonderful memory, developed onomatopoeia and vocal musculature. All sorts of tricks with parrots, which the world wide web is full of, amaze with the amazing ability to remember and reproduce human speech.
Parrots - birds are schooly, nest in pairs, sometimes in groups. They feed mainly on plant foods - fruits, plant seeds. Laurie eats pollen and nectar. Some eat food of animal origin - worms,insects and their larvae. Parrots of kea even absorb carrion and attack adult sheep. Food for parrots contained in the home, must necessarily consist of grains, seeds, fresh greens, tree branches (birch, apple, oak).
The maximum life expectancy of parrots is about50 years, but sometimes there are long-livers, living up to 70 years. In captivity, they live much less. For example, wavy parrots die at the age of 13 years. Cuban Amazons live longer - up to 40 years. Proper care of the parrot is very important for life expectancy. Comfortable conditions and proper nutrition will provide him with a long and happy life.
