Tropical parrots

Serena Gutierrez

Mr. Boyd

Anatomy

August 22, 2011

Tropical Parrots

Did you know there's over three hundred and fifty different species of parrots in the world. Parrots are some of the most unique types of birds in the world. They have very interesting vocalization patterns and are highly intelligent. The parrot has a very unique way of living and surviving in the rain forest. The body structure of a parrot is very different from most other birds that we know of. There is much more to a parrot than meets the eye.

Most parrots have basic screeching calls that are not thought of as particularly melodious. Parrots are kept as pets because they can be taught to imitate human words, although there's little evidence of parrots imitating other parrots in the wild. Many parrots have different calls for different purposes. These purposes include soft contact calls, warning calls, or calls made just previous to flight. The Cockatoo's may call out "sentries" that alarm the rest of the flock of danger. These calls make it possible for parrots to avoid the predators of the wild.

Parrots are usually very sociable birds and are rarely territorial. They like to remain in large flocks to increase safety from other animals. The female parrot usually lays her small number of eggs every other day and only she does the incubating. There are more species of parrots on the continent of South America than anywhere else. Although Australia is where the group has the largest diversity of parrots. The clearing of forests has effected these birds, for they rely on aging trees and accompanying hollows to breed.

The majority of parrots do not build nests, but raise their young in the existing hollows of trees, or evacuate holes in banks, cliff faces, or termite mounds. Parrots colors are often based on greens, however parrots have evolved into numerous colors in the past years. The skin around the eye of a parrot is called the 'cere', and in parrots this patch is often obvious and enlarged. Parrots have rather interesting intestinal looping and lack an appendix.

Parrots have a rather broad skull with a large brain case. The upper mandible is attached to the skull by a flexible joint. Parrots often use their feet to feed. They have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backwards. They feed on fruits, seeds, roots, nectar, fungi, and wood boring insects. To eat, they will often use that sharp beak to chew the wood inside a tree hollow to produce a soft surface to lay their eggs.

There are so many things that make a parrot unique. From the way their body is structured to the way they live! Parrots are truly one of a kind types of birds. They truly are amazing birds though it is getting harder and harder to find them in the wildness of the rain forests. Less than six percent of the earth's surface is rain forests today. Where are all these wonderful creatures suppose to live? Do your part and help save the wonderful, and amazingly beautiful tropical birds of our world.