Parrots
The name “parrot” refers to a broad category of flamboyant, noisy birds from the Psittacidae family. The term “parrot” can also refer to any bird belonging to the wider order Psittaciformes, including cockatoos (family Cacatuidae). Since ancient times, people have kept parrots in cages due to their funny, intelligent, and frequently friendly nature. A few can mimic a startling variety of sounds, including human speech.
Psittacidae is a family of 333 species. The largest subfamily is Psittacinae, or “true” parrots, whose members can be found in warm climates worldwide. These birds consume seeds, buds, some fruits, and insects and have blunt tongues. Although many people in the subfamily refer to them as parrots, certain subgroups have more specialized names, including macaw, parakeet, conure, and lovebird.
Common habits of parrots
For most of their area, African grays are found in lowland rainforests, although they will also forage in nearby savanna, mangroves, and agricultural land. Typically, they prefer to forage in groups of no more than fifty birds. The species is mostly frugivorous, consuming fruit, seeds, nuts, and other edible plants from several genera, such as Ficus, Macaranga, Raphia, and Bombax, with a particular fondness for the fruit of the oil palm (Elaies guineensis). Flowers, bark, and invertebrates like as snails and insects are added to its diet. Additionally, it lowers to the ground to consume soil and clay, most likely in search of nutrients and antiparasitic substances. It would rather climb between branches with its feet and beak than by flying when it is foraging in trees.
Characteristics and physical features
- erithacus erithacus, nominate and most common subspecies, is silvery gray in color, lighter on the belly and darker on the head and wings. The tail feathers are bright red, and red patches may occasionally appear randomly among the body feathers of older birds. Over many generations, South African breeders have selectively selected for the latter quality, resulting in all-red birds that fetch exorbitant prices. The face is covered in bare white skin that blushes when the bird becomes agitated.
When the bird hatches, its black iris lightens to a silvery yellow as it ages. It has a black beak. In addition to having a darker maroon-coloured tail and an upper mandible that darkens from shell-pink at the base to black at the tip, P. erithacus timneh is a darker shade of steel grey.
Male African grays are larger than females, indicating a modest sexual dimorphism. P. erithacus erithacus weighs 400–650 grams (0.8–1.4 pounds) and measures between 30 and 40 cm (12 and 16 inches) in length. At roughly 23–28 cm (9–11 inches) in length and 250–375 grams (0.6–0.8 pounds), Psittacus erithacus Timneh is smaller.
Reproduction cycle
When African grays are three to five years old, they achieve sexual maturity. They are lifelong partners. The birds reproduce in the dry season in most areas; other populations breed twice a year. While pairs need their tree to build a nest in a cavity about 30 meters (100 feet) above the ground, flocks may nest in loose aggregations. Before mating, the two perform a dance in which both partners droop their wings. After that, the female stays inside the nest chamber and lays three to five eggs. The male feeds her until the eggs hatch in 20 to 30 days. In ten to twelve weeks, the baby parrots fledge, but they stay attached to their parents for two to three years. During that time, they learn the meanings of the many calls and become used to the flock’s social structure. Younger birds yield to elder members of the flock.
Relationship to human
The Yoruba people of Nigeria value the African grey. They make masks to be worn at their Gelede social and religious celebration using its picture and tail feathers. It is said that the brilliant crimson oil of the oil palm it feeds on and the red colour of the tail feathers symbolise menstrual blood. Yoruba folklore portrays the birds as sentinels and spies due to their noisy nature.
When France invaded the Canary Islands in 1402, the species had been transported there, and this was the first time Westerners saw African greys. As Portugal’s trading links with western Africa grew, more birds were taken and kept as pets in Europe. African greys can be found in works by Jan Davidsz de Heem (c. 1640–50), Jan Steen (1663–65), and Peter Paul Rubens (1629/30).
Numerous captive breeding operations and the pet trade continue to benefit from the popularity of African greys. Because of its gregarious and flocking behaviour, the clever and engaging species develops close bonds with its human caregivers. It can, however, turn violent and destructive if improperly trained. A healthy diet with plenty of fresh food and frequent social interactions are crucial.
Diversity status
As Portugal’s trading links with western Africa grew, more birds were taken and kept as pets in Europe. African greys can be found in works by Jan Davidsz de Heem (c. 1640–50), Jan Steen (1663–65), and Peter Paul Rubens (1629/30).Numerous captive breeding operations and the pet trade continue to benefit from the popularity of African greys. Because of its gregarious and flocking behaviour, the clever and engaging species develops close bonds with its human caregivers. It can, however, turn violent. In 2007, the European Union outlawed the import of birds that were captured in the wild. However, there were large markets for the trading of African grays in East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa itself.
As of the early 21st century, estimates of the entire wild population ranged as high as 13 million, while accurate surveys were unfeasible due to the parrots’ tendency to inhabit remote, frequently unstable political areas. Destructive if improperly trained. A healthy diet with plenty of fresh food and frequent social interactions are crucial.
