Parrots are characterized by their beautiful plumage, character, and ability to imitate sounds. Some species are charming and friendly pet parrots. There are many Breed parrots. Discover in this article four breeds of parrots : the cockatoos, the amazons, the great Eclectus, and the Senegal parrot.
The word ” parrot ” is not scientific, but a common noun in everyday language. It brings together different species of birds with common characteristics: rather a large size, hooked beak, bright colors, and ability to imitate sounds. These birds belong to the scientific class of Psittaciformes, in which we also find parakeets.
Parrots quickly became popular thanks to their talent as imitators, especially of human language. Thus, they have been pet birds for several centuries. But this could have had negative consequences on certain populations of parrots in the wild, which have declined sharply.
In addition to their common points, parrot species each have their own specificities. These may influence your choice if you are unsure about which parrot to adopt. For example, if you live in an apartment and have direct neighbors, it is best to choose a species that is not too noisy.
in any case, a parrot needs your daily attention. Thus, your availability and the time you can devote to it are criteria to take into account in your wish to adopt a parrot.
Also, another point to consider is a parrot’s longevity. Indeed, most species can live for several decades.
Cockatoos
SOURCE: African Grey Parrot Pet
Cockatoos are particularly attractive birds. They have highly developed hearing that allows them to reproduce words or sounds they hear. They are quite dependent and attached to their master or mistress. But it is also a bird perfectly adapted to family life.
They are recognizable by the crest (or crest) on their heads, which they can move or erect depending on their mood… Originally from Australia and New Guinea, they are sometimes classified in the same family as the cockatiel which, even if smaller in size, have similar physical and behavioral characteristics.
The word “cockatoo” comes from an ancient Indonesian term from the 12th century, “kakatuwah” whose meaning is not certain. It may be the combination of two words, “kaka” meaning “bird” and “tuwah” meaning “old”. Thus, its name would evoke its longevity! Indeed, the life expectancy of a cockatoo is about fifty years, some individuals live even longer.
These charming birds particularly like to nibble and shell everything they find… so they need a large cage in which you will have several objects and branches with which they can play
Galah Cockatoo
Breed parrots
The Galah Cockatoo is also called the Rose-breasted Cockatoo. Because its main physical characteristic is its dark pink color, from the bottom of the head (at eye level) to the bottom of the belly, on the whole of the chest. The top of the head is formed of a crest, pale pink or pinkish white. The back, wings, beak, and legs are grey.
The Galah Cockatoo has a size of about 35 centimeters and weighs between 300 and 400 grams. It’s almost impossible to tell a male Rosalbin from a female, other than by looking closely at the eyes. In the female, the iris is brown-red while in the male it is darker (brown or black).
The beauty of its plumage has made this parrot a popular pet bird. But this is not the only criterion. Indeed, he also has a gentle and calm character and is easily tamed.
In addition to its natural wild color, color mutations exist in the rose-breasted cockatoo. You will find for example mutations of type cinnamon, ivory, silver, blue, pink with black eyes, and white with black eyes. The popular colors in France are the classic and the lutino (where gray is replaced by white).
The life expectancy of a rose-breasted cockatoo is 60 years.
White cockatoo
Breed parrots
The white cockatoo is also called the alba cockatoo. He is originally from Indonesia, more specifically from the Moluccas archipelago. It is large in size compared to its cousin rosaline, since it measures between 45 and 50 centimeters, its weight being around 900 grams.
Its physical particularity is the color of its plumage and its crest, an almost immaculate white. Only the undersides of its crest, tail, and wing feathers are yellow. The beak and legs are grey. It is possible to tell a female Sulphur-crested Cockatoo from a male. Indeed, the female is slightly smaller than the male, and her eyes are red while those of the male are brown.
The life expectancy of a white cockatoo is between 50 and 60 years.
If you want entertainment at home, take a white cockatoo! Because this parrot likes to attract attention and will do anything for it: to shout of course, to sing, but also to dance! On the other hand, he will also have periods of tenderness where he will like to be petted.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Breed parrots
Also called the galerita cockatoo, the sulfur-crested cockatoo is a large parrot. It measures up to 50 centimeters and weighs between 800 and 900 grams. Its plumage is entirely white except for the crest which is bright yellow. This is what distinguishes it from its cousin the white-crested cockatoo. The crest consists of 6 large feathers, which are clearly distinguishable when erect. In addition, the underside of the wing and tail feathers are yellow. The beak is dark grey.
The female Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a bit smaller than the male. In addition, his eyes are brown-red while they are brown-black in the male. Native to Australia, this parrot is very common in homes as a pet bird. But be careful if you have neighbors because the animal is noisy! Moreover, in the wild, it uses its powerful cries to communicate with its congeners.
Amazon parrots
SOURCE: African Grey Parrot Pet
Amazon parrots are smart and intelligent. They are able to express themselves and learn to repeat a large number of words but also expressions. As its name might suggest, the Amazon originates from South and Central America. In the wild, it is used to living in trees. However, the intensive deforestation of the Amazonian forest has endangered certain species of Amazon.
The life expectancy of an Amazon parrot is between 40 and 50 years.
Like all parrots, an amazon needs several hours of your daily life.
It is a bird that has a fairly loud call, so check that it will not disturb your neighbors before deciding on this species.
Active and playful, he is easily tamed because he is curious. On the other hand, Amazon parrots have a reputation for being stubborn… but a few treats will help you in their education!
Blue-fronted Amazon
Breed parrots
The blue-fronted Amazon parrot has green plumage over most of its body. Its wings are, in addition, colored yellow, blue, and red. The frontal part is blue while the outline of the eyes and the cheeks are yellow. Its beak is dark gray just like its legs.
Its height is between 35 and 38 centimeters, its weight is about 450 grams. There is no apparent difference between a male and a female.
The blue-fronted Amazon lifespan can go up to 70 or 80 years, it is more generally around 50 years. It is quite common as a pet. He may tend to become attached to a single person, in principle the one who feeds him and spends the most time with him.
Red-crowned Amazon
The Red-crowned Amazon, also called the red-crowned parrot, has the particularity of having several colors on its head! The forehead of course is red, the cheeks are yellow and the top of the skull is blue… On the rest of the body, the plumage is green.
In the wild, it lives in several Latin American countries: Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Colombia…
Electus parrot
Breed parrots
The Great Electus or Eclectus parrot has a unique feature among parrots. Indeed, the appearance between males and females is totally different! This is called sexual dimorphism.
The large male Eclectus has green plumage overall, and the wings and tail have some red and blue feathers. Its beak is orange-coral.
The female Eclectus parrot has red plumage, at the level of the head, the neck, and the top of the chest as well as the tail. The bottom of the chest, the “collar” that the neck and belly are blue. The large wing feathers (remiges) are blue-black. The beak is black.
Its size is between 30 and 40 centimeters, its weight is between 300 and 600 grams. Its life expectancy is about forty years and can go up to 50 years. Unlike most other parrots or parakeets, the large electus has a rather solitary behavior and can live alone in a cage.
Another difference with its cousins lies in its diet. Indeed, he needs more fresh products than the others, made up of fruits and vegetables: apple, pear, melon, banana, carrot, zucchini, corn… As he drinks relatively little water, fresh products give him most of its hydration.
SOURCE: African Grey Parrot Pet
Senegal parrot
Breed parrots
The Youyou of Senegal is also simply called the Senegal parrot. It is one of the smallest parrot species, measuring between 20 and 26 centimeters. Its plumage is quite colorful. It has a gray head, with silvery cheeks. The rest of the body is green and the belly can be yellow, orange, or red. Its beak is dark gray.
Only the colors located under the tail make it possible to differentiate the male from the female. Indeed, in the male, the feathers on the underside of the tail are yellow, while in the female they are green or green and yellow.
The Senegal parrot is native to Africa, in the central-western part. It usually lives in pairs or in small groups of 10-20 birds.
As a pet, it brings a lot of cheerfulness and affection. You will be able to observe him doing acrobatics in his cage… Like many other species of parrots, he will be able to bond with a single person and will have more difficulty letting himself be approached by other members of the family.
SOURCE: African Grey Parrot Pet