Parrots and their relatives are found in the warm and tropical regions in all
continents except Europe and Antarctica. Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and
other Pacific islands are especially rich in parrots.
There are 350 species
of parrots in this world. They have strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong
legs, and clawed zygodactyls feet. Parrots vary greatly in size and are predominantly
green in color and some are multi-colored. The diet of parrots consists of seeds,
fruit, nectar and pollen and to a lesser degree animal prey. Parrots are known
for living a long time.
People sometimes claim that particular birds have
lived 80 or 100 years. They are among the world's most popular cage birds. Parrots
have the distinction of being able to mimic human speech. Trapping of wild parrots
for the pet trade, as well as other hunting, habitat loss and competition from
invasive species, have diminished wild populations, and more parrots are threatened
with extinction than any other group of birds.
