Sun Parakeet

Aratinga solstitialis

Sun Parakeets, also known as Sun Conures, are popular birds in the pet trade, but are actually Endangered in the wild. In fact, capture for aviculture is one of the threats against the wild population.

Wild Sun Parakeets are found in northeast South America, and have only a very small range that extends through parts of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil. They live in small groups of no more than 20-30 individuals, and they feed on fruits and nuts.

Sun Parakeets have very beautiful coloration-- one of the reasons why they are popular pets. Their feathers are predominantly yellow, but with bursts of red and orange. Wings and tails are blue and green, making the bird quite a rainbow of colors!

As stated earlier, unsustainable trapping led to a drastic decline in these birds. Though many of the captive birds are now captive bred, trapping still continues and more effective measures must be put into place to keep the wild populations stable.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : South America
Size : Body Length up to ft (30cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae -- Genus : Aratinga -- Species : A. solstitialis
Image : Public Domain

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Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

Today's animal is the Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, a bird that calls the arid and semi-arid reaches of the Australian Outback home. They are given their common name in honor of Major Sir Thomas Mitchell, a Scottish surveyor and explorer who did a great deal of work in Australia.

When it comes to their scientific name, there is some debate over what genus the species belongs in. Some give it its very own, Lophochroa, while others place it with the Sulfur-crested Cockatoo and others over in Cacatua. The issue rages on!

Major Mitchell's Cockatoos can be identified by their bright pink crest feather (when erect) and their light pink coloring overall. Males and females can be told apart by their coloration-- females have red eyes and a thick yellow band on the crest feathers.

Major Mitchell's Cockatoos live a nomadic lifestyle, travelling where they need to in order to obtain food and suitable breeding conditions. They follow the rains (what little there is). At about five or six years of age they reach sexual maturity and find a mate-- they will stay together for life and raise offspring together. These Cockatoos do not form flocks like other members of their family, in part due to the scarcity of food and nesting sites. It is easier for two birds to find a nest in the Outback than it would be for dozens of them.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Australia
Size : Length up to 14in (36cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Cacatuidae -- Genus : Lophochroa -- Species : L. leadbeateri
Image : Christopher Watson

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Glaucous Macaw

Anodorhynchus glaucus

Today's animal is one of those creatures that is probably extinct... but we don't 100% know for sure. It is the Glaucous Macaw, a tropical Parrot related to both the Hyacinth and Lear's Macaws. It hasn't been reliably sighted since the 1960s, so even though it is listed as Critically Endangered, there is a good chance it is already gone for good.

These birds once lived in the forests of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Their habitat was remote, and they were typically seen near bodies of water.

The blue-feathered Macaws declined in number due to hunting, collection, and habitat loss. Their decline started back in the late 19th century, and continued on until the mid 20th, when official reports ceased all together. A few searches have been undertaken, but none have turn up evidence of the birds. It seems like they may be gone for good, especially since no elderly locals can even remember seeing them in their lifetimes.

But of course, there is always that small shred of hope. Unconfirmed sightings pop up from time to time, as do rumors of hidden populations in hard-to-reach areas. Fingers crossed that they are still out there!

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IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
Location : South America
Size : Length up to 28in (70cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae -- Genus : Anodorhynchus-- Species : A. glaucus
Image :  Bourjot Saint-Hilaire

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Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Ara ararauna

The Blue-and-yellow Macaw is a very striking parrot found in the tropical forests of South America (though there are a few introduced populations in Florida as well). They are large members of their family, growing to lengths of nearly 3ft.

These Macaws have some pretty amazing mouths. They are able to move both their upper and lower beaks (a feat that many bird species cannot physically accomplish) and they have an amazing range of strength and dexterity with them. They can crack huge nuts and seeds, but also delicately peel fruit! They even use their beaks to help them climb!

Their beaks aren't their only neat feature. Blue-and-yellow Macaws also have the ability to mimic sounds, including human voices. They also produce a wide range of other vocalizations, including screams and whistles, that can be heard from long distances away. Blue-and-yellow Macaws are incredibly social animals-- they live in flocks that can number over 100 birds. Imagine seeing that many Macaws flying over your head!

Blue-and-yellow Macaws

Macaw pairs mate for life, which can be quite a long time. They reach sexual maturity around age 4, but can live as long as 60 years! Pairs will always stick close to one another within the flock, and when it comes time to breed they build a nest in a tree cavity. Mom does all the incubating, while dad brings her food. Sadly, though they lay 2-3 eggs, the parents will really only care for the strongest chick. This means that the siblings will most likely die before they are old enough to fledge.

Blue-and-yellow Macaws are kept as pets, but they are very demanding creatures to own. Their social nature, intelligence, size, and lifespan mean that only the most dedicated owners can keep them content. They need a great deal of socialization and space to fly in. Unhappy Macaws can become incredibly destructive to both themselves and their surroundings.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South America
Size : Length up to 34in (86cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae -- Genus : Ara -- Species : A. ararauna

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Galah

Eolophus roseicapilla

The Galah, or Rose-breasted Cockatoo, is a very wide-spread Cockatoo that cane be found throughout Australia. Their name is derived from the Yuwaalaraay word that is used to describe the birds.

Galahs can be found in just about every corner of the continent, living in habitats that range from urban cities to woodlands, to open fields. They feed on different seeds, leaves, and grains, as well as on insects.

As adults, Galahs have bright pink heads and chests, with a lighter pink crest and grey wings. They are even sometimes referred to as "Pink and Greys." The only real difference between males and females is the eye color-- males have dark eyes, while the females have reddish-brown eyes.

Galahs live in flicks that can number from a few dozen to a few hundred. They stick together while foraging, but  will often go slightly off on their own while nesting. Males perform a dance, complete with stick waving and head bobs, in order to attract a mate. Galahs are monogamous for life, and form very strong bonds with one another. When it comes time to breed they will build a nest in a tree cavity and lay 2-3 eggs which are incubated and cared for by both parents.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Australia
Size : Length up to 14in (35cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Cacatuidae -- Genus : Eolophus-- Species : E. roseicapilla

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Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Cacatua galerita

You may recognize today's animal, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, from their popularity in the pet industry and from their iconic looks. In the wild they hail from Australia and New Guinea, and in some places they are so numerous that they are actually considered pests!

When you think of a Cockatoo, you probably envision this species- snowy white body, large yellow crest on the head, loud squawks and even the ability to mimic words! In captivity they have been taught numerous tricks, sounds, and behaviors.

In the wild they are incredibly gregarious, and live in flocks that can number into the hundreds. They feed on fruits, grains, seeds, and the occasional insect. Their large flocks and feeding habits have caused damage to some farm areas, but they are a protected bird in Australia, so removal can only be done with the required permits.

Cockatoos

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos breed at different times of the year, depending on their location. Southern flocks tend to breed during the spring and summer, while Northern flocks are on a more wintertime schedule. Pairs come together and build their own nests (usually in a hollow tree), and 2-3 eggs are laid. Both parents help to incubate, and later feed, their chicks.

As previously mentioned, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are popular in the pet industry. Their international trade is regulated, which means that most in North America were captive bred. As a pet they are very, very demanding. Because they are such social birds in the wild, they need to form strong bonds with their human caregivers in order to have their companionship needs satisfied. They can be loud and destructive (to themselves and their enclosures) if they don't receive the proper amount of attention and stimulation. However, if you do have the time and energy for one of these beautiful birds (and I stress time - they can live over 70 years!) they can be extremely loving, affectionate pets.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Australia, New Guinea
Size : Body Length up to 22in (55cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Cacatuidae -- Genus : Cacatua -- Species : C. galerita

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Golden Parakeet

Guaruba guarouba

The Golden Parakeet is a gorgeous yellow Parrot with dark green flight feathers. These vibrant birds are endemic to Brazil, and live in only a handful of regions.

There is little definitively information about the wild Golden Parakeets, as they are rare and have only recently been the subject of scientific study. We do know that fruits, seeds, and nuts make up most of their diets. They also seem to live in small flocks, and breed during the December-April wet season. Nests are sometimes communal, meaning that multiple females will lay eggs within the same nest. When the chicks hatch, all of the flock adults help to care for the young.

Sadly, Golden Parakeets are becoming incredibly rare in the wild, and are now listed as Endangered. It is estimated that there less than 2,500 left in the wild, and that number continues to drop. Deforestation has been a major contributor to their decline; the construction of roads and dams has drastically altered their habitats. The birds are also illegally captured for the pet trade; their bright colors make them highly sought after.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : Brazil
Size : Length up to 13in (34cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae -- Genus : Guaruba-- Species : G. guarouba

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Hyacinth Macaw

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

The Hyacinth Macaw is a stunning member of the Parrot family that can be found in parts of Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. They are the longest Parrots in the world, and the largest flying species. But they do not take the top prize for heaviest- that honor of course goes to our flightless Kakapo friends.

You can tell you are looking at a Hyacinth due to its vibrant blue coloration accented by yellow around the eyes and beak. There is another parrot species, the Lears Macaw, that has the same colors but a much smaller in size.

Hyacinth Macaws might look like jungle dwelling birds, but they are actually more common in grasslands and semi-wooded areas. They feed on different types of seed and nut, using their strong bills to crack them open. But interestingly, there are some palm nuts that the Macaws will eat only after they have soften... by going through the digestive tracts of livestock.

Hyacinth Macaws are an endangered species, and are protected by law in Bolivia and Brazil. Their commercial export is also banned through CITES Appendix I, but that hasn't completely stopped illegal traders from snatching them from the wild. Their size and coloration has made them very sought after in the pet industry, and can be legally purchased, though they sell for as much as $10,000.

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IUCN Status : Endangered

Location : South America
Size : Length up to 3.3ft (1m), Weight up to 3.5lbs (1.6kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae -- Genus : Anodorhynchus -- Species : A. hyacinthinus

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Monk Parakeet

Myiopsitta monachus

The Monk Parakeet is a very common member of the Parrot Family. Though they are originally from Argentina and its surrounding neighbors, feral populations exist in many areas, thanks to the birds ability to survive in temperate and colder climates.

Monk Parakeets are also known as Quaker Parrots, and are colored with gray and green feathers. Males and females are not sexually dimorphic, and it can sometimes be rather difficult to tell them apart!

Seeds and fruits make up most of the Monk Parakeet's diet, though they do also consume insects as well. They live in flocks, and are very social. Interestingly, they build their own nests. Many other Parrots prefer to take over already made nests.

In many areas the Monk Parakeet can be kept as a pet. However, some other locations do not allow them, simply due to the pest nature of the invasive, feral populations.

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IUCN Status :  Least Concern

Location : South America, with feral population in Europe and North America

Size : Length up to 11.5in (29cm), Wingspan up to 19in (49cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae -- Genus : Myiopsitta -- Species : M. monachus

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Lovebird

Peach Faced Lovebird

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae
Genus : Agapornis

Length : 5-7in (12.5-18cm)

IUCN Status : The Black-Cheeked Lovebird is listed as Vulnerable. Lillian's and Fischer's Lovebirds are Near Threatened. All other species are of Least Concern.

Happy Valentines Day! What better animal to talk about then one that has the word love right there in its name? There are nine different species of Lovebird, all of whom are found natively in Africa, though they are now very popular in captivity. There are now also several feral populations in the United States.

Fischer's Lovebird

Lovebirds are small parrots, but don't let their size fool you! They can be just as intelligent and active as their large family members. Lovebirds can mimic human voices, but it is not a common practice. In the wild, each species of Lovebird has its own distinct markings. Captive breeding has brought out even more color possibilities.

Lovebirds get their name from the incredibly strong bond that monogamous mated pairs make. They show fierce loyalty and affection toward their mates, are are best kept in pairs. Captive Lovebirds can be kept alone, but they will consider their human owner to be their mate and will need a great deal of attention in order to stay happy and well socialized.

Lovebird commonly live 10-12 years, though there are those who have lived over 20. Most species of Lovebird are in a good condition in the wild, but others, like the Black-Cheeked Lovebird, are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss.

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Alex

Alex the African Grey Parrot was one of the most extraordinary birds to have ever lived. In 1977, animal psychologist Dr. Irene Pepperberg started an experiment to test the intelligence of parrots, and her first subject was Alex, a one-year old bird from an ordinary pet shop in Chicago.

(Image Source)

Previous to this project, it was believed that the brain's of birds were not capable of complex problem solving and speech formation; that their words were only the result of mimicry. Alex proved all of that wrong. He had a vocabulary of 150 words, including 50 objects and quantities up to the number six. He was capable of understanding concepts like number, shape, material, and color, and could compose short phrases to express responses and wants. He was even able to express frustration, both with repetitive research tasks and with incorrect responses given by his fellow parrots in the project. Alex also remarkably had a basic understanding of the the concept of zero. When asked about the differences between two objects that were exactly the same, Alex would respond that there were none. The video below shows some of the skills that Alex came to learn.

Alex died suddenly and unexpectedly on September 6th, 2007 from arteriosclerosis. His health check earlier in the week had given him a clean bill of health and shown normal asper and cholesterol levels, making his death especially tragic and out of no where. Even more depressing is the fact that his last words to Pepperberg the night before were "You be good. I love you." Alex is survived by two other birds within the project, Griffen and Arthur, though they are much younger and less advanced.

Dr. Pepperberg published a memoir about Alex and his accomplishments, titled Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process in 2008.

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Carolina Parakeet

The Carolina Parakeet was the only parrot native to North America. Notice that I said "was" and not "is." You see, the Carolina Parakeet went extinct about 100 years ago. Bizarrely, the last captive specimen, a male named Incas, died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. What's so bizarre about that? Well, he died in the exact same aviary cage that the world's last Passenger Pigeon, Martha, died in four years earlier.

(Image Source)

When they were alive, Carolina Parakeets inhabited the eastern parts of the United States in deciduous forests and near forest edges. They sported green bodies, bright yellow heads and orange cheeks.

The extinction of the Carolina Parakeet has a couple of causes. The first was deforestation and habitat loss. The second was hunting for both their feathers and for use as pets. The third was that as land was developed and agriculture grew, the birds took a liking to various crops and were slaughtered as pests. By the 1860s the species was in major decline and seen rarely outside of Florida. It was considered officially extinct in the 1920s.

The image I'm using for this post is one of the most iconic of the species. Painted by John James Audubon around 1825, this portrait contains depictions of adults and juveniles (the fully green birds) and was completed while the species was still abundant. An additional portrait exists for his comprehensive work, "Birds of America," featuring only four birds- two males, a female and a juvenile.

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Kakapo

Meet the world's heaviest, rarest, longest-lived parrot - the Kakapo. Found on only a few small islands off the coast of New Zealand, (sounds familiar?!?) they also have the distinction of being nocturnal and flightless. Oh, and there are only 123 of them alive. One hundred and twenty three. Because of their rarity and unique traits, an extensive conservation program has been underway. One of the major efforts of the program was to actually relocate the birds to those aforementioned small islands, because they were being preyed upon by feral cats and mustelids on the South Island (they went extinct on North Island by the 1920s)

Image from Kakapo Recovery Programme

Kakapo are pretty unique birds, though they are herbivores like most other parrots. Besides the natural, heavy and flightless traits, they are also the only flightless bird to take part in a lek mating system. The system entails a group of males coming together on high ridges and hilltops, with each males having its own bowl-shaped court. From that area, they will emit low sonic booms using an air sac in their chests that can carry up to 5km away. They will continue to produce these sounds for up to eight strait hours, sometimes emitting over 1000 in one night, and females will find them and mate with them. Male Kakapo do not in any way assist with chick rearing. After mating, they stay in their little bowls, booming and waiting for the next female to come along.

Because they cannot fly, Kakapo must find other ways to get around. They are excellent climbers, and can use their wings to slow them down when jumping. Another interesting tidbit is the fact that Kakapo may be the longest lived birds in existence. It is estimated they can live up to 90 years, though no one is sure. Since the recovery programs were begun in the 1980s, not a single bird discovered has died from old age, and many were already adults when they were found. They have very slow lifestyles; females don't start breeding till the age of six and chicks are only produced every few years.

The Kakapo Recovery Programme has been working to breed and sustain the existing population. They have spent years tracking down the remaining Kakapo and monitoring their activities. Because of the low numbers, inbreeding has been an issue and has caused high percentages of infertile eggs. The KRP has been doing genetic testing to maximize genetic diversity, and they have also been working with artificial insemination to increase the fertility of females (who tend to lay fertilized eggs more successfully if they mate more than once).

This is the best YouTube Video ever.

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