They may blush
Fun Facts About Parrots
The ability to imitate human language is not the only thing that brings the parrot closer to us. The blue macaw, a bird endemic to Central and South America, has been observed to redden its white, featherless cheeks. A phenomenon noticed by both caretakers and parrot owners.
This happens when the bird has positive exchanges and interactions with humans. Although the mechanisms of this color change are not yet clearly understood, scientists believe that this reddening reflects a strong emotion felt by parrots. Another big point in common with us, in short.
They waste for a specific reason
Fun Facts About Parrots
Another point in common with us! But, if in humans, the trend is rather zero waste, parrots let go! And it’s for a good cause. One study showed that parrots could give up to 80% of their meal. Either by clumsiness, or because they make the fine mouth by throwing away the fruits not ripe enough, or by altruism.
The mystery surrounding this behavior has not yet been fully solved. In any case, the positive results of this waste are known. Indeed, the fruits and other seeds that these birds drop to the ground will germinate or be used to feed other animal and plant species.
They just want to work
This applies to pet parrots or parrots living in captivity. Indeed, in nature, these birds must tackle the task to find something to fill their belly. The search for food would take them between 50 and 70% of their time (we are far from 35 hours!).
They travel long distances, scratch, and search everywhere to find things to put in their mouths. This food search even has a name: it is foraging. Well, know that our house parrots have kept this instinct in them and will be much more inclined to make efforts and look for their food rather than having it served directly into their beak! This research, in addition to cheating boredom, can prevent them from developing behavioral disorders.
They have rhythm in their skin
It is not uncommon to see animals waddling to music, proof of this is many videos posted on the web… But parrots would be the only ones with a sense of rhythm. To convince you, nothing could be simpler: admire the prowess of the cockatoo Snowball which is the buzz on the web by making movements of head and legs in cadence, on the Backstreet Boys in particular! A study done at Harvard University suggested that this sense of rhythm would come from their cerebral faculty of vocal learning.
The kakapo, the world’s largest parrot, has been saved by global warming
This is the first time that global warming has had a positive effect on animal species. However, this would probably be the case with the kakapo, a species endemic to New Zealand that can reach 60cm. The only psittacine that does not fly, it had almost disappeared 50 years ago.
This is due to its very specific breeding conditions. Indeed, females mate only every 2 to 4 years, when rimu berries, a food associated with fertility, are very numerous. Good news: these berries are growing more and more with global warming.
Thus, in 2019 a record number of births was recorded: 49 of the 50 closely monitored females laid eggs. 75 chicks are expected to reach adulthood. That’s more than double the numbers from the last breeding season three years ago.
—
We told you that the parrot was a special animal! In any case, you are now an expert in psittacine and have enough anecdotes to shine in the evening!
