Parrots don’t talk and gone are the days when parrots used to be human companions and amusing pets in many homes.
Parrots were the most popular pets after dogs, cats, and fish, and for many years, they have been an attraction due to their ability to talk. Gosh! I keep forgetting too, parrots don’t talk.
It was interesting to have a pet that could make you believe you could have a conversation with a bird.
World Parrot Day is here and I’m pretty sure you know some impressive things about this bird, and you are probably thinking how amazing it would be to have a parrot in your hom– Shhhh! Quiet! Don’t say it was my idea.
Parrot keeping is illegal in many places and it might soon be illegal globally.
Current global parrot situation
Recent studies show that a total of 14 million birds from different continents live in captivity in the United States. More than 50% of those birds are parrots in their diverse species, with macaws and cockatoos being the most popular.
There are about 350 parrot species in the world, and in Africa, the grey parrot is the most common while the orange-bellied parrot is an East African endemic.
Three-quarters of all parrots in the world are at risk of extinction because of illegal wildlife trade and human logging activities that slowly diminish their habitats.
So, let’s celebrate these colourful birds as we let them fly free in the wild, shall we? I have put together seven interesting parrot facts to celebrate the world’s most loved bird.
Fact 1: Parrots are friendly birds
Unlike other wild animals, this affectionate bird is unique for its intelligence and it can befriend people. The reason why humans fell in love with them.
What if you’re not its friend? I had my right index finger bitten by an orange-bellied parrot fifteen years ago. I was in pain the whole week and couldn’t eat ugali with my hands.
Fact 2: They have a wide diet range
Parrots have a wide range of dietary options from grass, fruits, seeds, leaves, and flowers to meat.
The parrot has a tongue that it does not use to taste the food. Instead, food tasting is done by the upper interior roof of its mouth.
Fact 3: Parrots are migratory birds
Parrots migrate in response to weather changes. They also migrate in search of pasture to ensure their survival plus they freakin’ enjoy it, imagine flying over the Mediterranean Sea, Arab Peninsular, Pyramids of Giza and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Lake Manyara in Northern Tanzania hosts a myriad of bird species from Africa, Asia and Europe between March and May. Rare parrot species can be spotted on the shores of Africa’s loveliest lake where the Bird World Cup happens.
Fact 4: Male and female parrots are identical
It is difficult to distinguish a male from a female parrot because they are 99 per cent identical. Most people who kept parrots ended up unknowingly buying them of the same sex and then wonder why they don’t reproduce.
Fact 5: Parrots can outlive people
These dramatic birds can live a maximum of 50 years. In rare cases, the Macaw species live up to 100 years when well-cared for.
Fact 6: They are light-weight champions
The world’s smallest parrot is the parrotlet. It measures 3 to 5.5 inches and weighs 18 to 28 grams.
Fact 7: Parrots are self-vaccinated
Parrot’s feathers secrete a fluid that protects them against bacteria. In some cases, the fluid gives their feathers red, green, and yellow colour.
Fact 8: Parrots don’t talk
They just memorize spoken words and learn to mimic those words in context. The parrot holding the world record memorized 1,700 English words.
I know parrots sound like a very ideal pet but you will be showing them more love by visiting them in the bush or zoo rather than caging them.
Happy World Parrot Day!