Different Types of Domestic and Wild Parrots

As we've mentioned, these birds form part of an order with more than 393 species that inhabit tropical and subtropical regions of the planet. Their order is divided into three superfamilies (Strigopoidea, Psittacoidea, and Cacatuoidea) that differ in features such as size, plumage coloration, and geographic distribution. They have a great variety of particular characteristics like the ones we will see below:

• Legs: they have zygodactyl legs, that is, with two fingers forward and two back that are also prehensile and allow them to manipulate their food. They are short but robust, enabling them to hold firmly to the branches of the trees. You may also be interested in our article about the different types of bird feet.
• Beaks: their beaks are strong, thick, and end in a pronounced hook, a trait that differentiates them from the rest of the birds, as well as their muscular tongue that acts as a sponge when feeding on pollen, for example, or as a finger when they want to extract part of the bark of a tree. They have a crop where they partially store food and then regurgitate their content to the young or their partner.
• Diet: it is very varied and generally consists of fruits and seeds, although some species can complete their diet with pollen and nectar and others also eat carrion and small vertebrates. Learn more in our article about what food parrots eat. Additionally, certain species have been observed to occasionally consume clay, which aids in digestion by neutralizing toxins found in certain seeds and fruits.
• Habitats: they range from coastal deserts, dry forests, and humid forests to anthropized environments such as plantations and crops. There are very generalist species that easily adapt to changes in their environment and other more specialized species that need very specific environments to develop successfully, a trait that makes them very vulnerable and for which many species are threatened.
• Behavior: the different types of parrots are gregarious birds, that is, they are social and form very large groups, some species reaching groups of thousands of individuals. Many species pair for life, making them monogamous and nesting in tree holes or abandoned termite mounds, with the exception of the New Zealand kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), which is the only parrot that does not fly and nests on the ground, and the Argentine parrot (Myiopsitta monachus) that makes huge and community nests using branches. They are known for being one of the smartest groups of birds and for their ability to learn elaborate words and sentences. Additionally, some parrot species have been observed using tools, which further showcases their intelligence.

The Psittaciformes order is divided into three superfamilies, each with its own classification. Therefore, the main types of parrots are those classified in the following superfamilies:

• Strigopoidea: includes New Zealand parrots.
• Cacatuoidea: includes cockatoos.
• Psittacoidea: includes the best-known parrots and other psittacoids.

Strigopoidea superfamily

Currently, there are only four species belonging to this superfamily: kakapo (Strigops habroptitus), kea (Nestor notabilis), southern island kaka (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis), and northern island kaka (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis).

The Strigopoidea superfamily is divided into two families, which include the mentioned parrot types:

• Strigopoidae: with the genus Strigops.
• Nestoridae: with the genus Nestor.

These parrots are known for their unique adaptations to the temperate and sometimes harsh environments of New Zealand, often exhibiting behaviors not seen in other parrots, such as ground-dwelling habits.

Cacatuoidea superfamily

As we said, this superfamily is made up of cockatoos. So, it only includes the Cacatuidae family which has three subfamilies:

• Nymphicinae: with the genus Nymphicus.
• Calyptorhynchinae: with the genus Calyptorhynchus.
• Cacatuinae: with the genera Probosciger, Eolophus, Lophochroa, Callocephalon, and Cacatua.

We find species such as the white cockatoo (Cacatua alba), the nymph cockatoo (Nymphicus hollandicus), or the red cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii). Cockatoos are particularly noted for their expressive crests, which they use to communicate with each other and to signal their mood.

Psittacoidea superfamily

This superfamily is the largest out of all of them since it includes more than 360 species of parrots. It is divided into three families, each with its different subfamilies and genres:

• Psittacidae: includes the subfamilies Psittacinae (with the genres Psittacus and Poicephalus) and Arinae (with the genera Anodorhynchus, Ara, Cyanopsitta, Primolius, Orthopsittaca, Diopsittaca, Pionopsitta, Pyrilia, Graydidascalus, Alipiopsitta, Pionus, Amazona, Triclaria, Forpus, Pionites, Deroptyus, Hapalopsittaca, Touit, Brotogeris, Bolborhynchus, Myiopsitta, Psilopsiagon, and Nannopsittaca).
• Psittrichasidae: includes the subfamilies Psittrichasinae (with the genus Psittrichas) and Coracopseinae (with the genus Coracopsis).
• Psittaculidae: includes Platycercinae subfamilies (with the genera Barnardius, Platycercus, Psephotus, Purpureicephalus, Northiella, Lathamus, shining parrot, Eunymphicus, Cyanoramphus, Pezoporus, Neopsephotus, and Neophema), Psittacellinae (genus Psittacella), Loriinae (with genera Oreopsittacus, Charmosyna, Vini, Phigys, Neopsittacus, Glossopsitta, Lorius, Psitteuteles, Pseudeos, Eos, Chalcopsitta, Trichoglossus, Melopsittacus, Psittaculirostris, and Cyclopsitta), Agapornithinae, and Auris Polytelis, Eclectus, Geoffroyus, Tanygnathus, Psittinus, Psittacula, Prioniturus, and Micropsitta).

In this superfamily, we find the typical parrots, so there are species such as the pink parakeet (Neopsephotus bourkii), the inseparable Malagasy (Agapornis canus), or the red-throated lori (Charmosyna amabilis). These parrots are characterized by their vibrant plumage and remarkable vocal abilities.

The different types of parrots can also be classified by size, as we will see in the following sections.

There are many types of small parrots that exist, so below we show a selection of the most representative or popular species.

Phoric Parrot (Micropsitta pusio)

This species belongs to the superfamily Psittacoidea (family Psittaculidae and subfamily Psittaculinae). At 3.1-4.3 inches (8 to 11 cm) in length, they are the smallest species of parrot that exists. It is a very little-studied species, but we know that they are native to New Guinea. They inhabit humid forest areas and form small groups of about six individuals.

These parrots have adapted to their small size by being highly agile and capable of navigating dense forest canopies with ease. They primarily feed on small seeds and insects found within their habitat.

Image: realworldfatos.com

Dwarf catita (Forpus xanthopterygius)

Also known as the blue-winged parrot, this species is found within the superfamily Psittacoidea (family Psittacidae and subfamily Arinae). They measure around 5.1 inches (13 cm) in length.

They are native to South America and inhabit a wide range of areas, from natural open areas to city parks. It presents sexual dimorphism (an uncommon trait within the Psittaciformes order), where the male has blue flight feathers and the female is completely green. It is very common to observe them in pairs.

Their adaptability to urban environments has made them a common sight in city parks, where they can often be seen foraging for seeds and socializing in small flocks.

Australian lovebird (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Also known as an Australian parakeet, they are located within the superfamily Psittacoidea (family Psittaculidae, subfamily Loriinae). This species is not only native to Australia but also endemic to it. However, they have now been introduced in many other countries. They're about 7 inches (18 cm) long and inhabit from arid or semi-arid zones to wooded or scrub areas.

In this species, there is sexual dimorphism. Females can be differentiated from the males by the wax of the beak (fleshiness that some birds have at the base of the beak). This is because while females have a brown color, males have the color blue.

The Australian parakeet is one of the most popular types of domestic parrots due to its size, character, and beauty. However, it should be noted that all birds that live in captivity must enjoy certain hours of free flight. It's not advisable to have them confined in cages 24 hours a day. If you're thinking of adopting parakeets, check out our article about the best parakeet names for males and females. Additionally, their sociable nature and ability to mimic sounds make them endearing companions.

Among the 393 species of parrots, we can also find medium-sized parrots. Some of the most popular are:

Argentine parrot (Myiopsitta monachus)

This species belongs to the Psittacoidea superfamily (Psittacidae family and Arinae subfamily). These parrots are medium-sized and measure about 11.8 inches (30 cm) in length. They are native to South America, from Bolivia to Argentina.

However, they were introduced in other continents and have become a pest. This is due to the fact that they have a very short reproductive cycle and lay several eggs. In addition, they are a very gregarious species that has community nests shared by several pairs.

Their adaptability to different environments has led them to thrive in urban areas, where they often build extensive nests in trees and on man-made structures. These nests can sometimes cause issues in urban settings due to their size and weight.

Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia)

This bird is endemic to the Philippine Islands and inhabits low mangrove areas. They're part of the superfamily Cacatuoidea (family Cacatuidae and subfamily Cacatuinae). They reach about 13.7 inches (35 cm) in length.

They have beautiful white plumage and some yellow or pink feathers on their head and wings. This species is in danger of extinction due to illegal hunting.

Learn about the most endangered animals in the world. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitats and prevent poaching, as their population continues to decline.

Lorikeet lori (Lorius chlorocercus)

This species forms part of the superfamily Psittacoidea (family Psittaculidae, subfamily Loriinae). The lorikeet lori is a species native to the Solomon Islands that occupies humid forests and high areas.

They measure between 11-11.8 inches (28 and 30 cm) in length. They have colorful plumage with red, green, and yellow. What's most characteristic about their plumage is their black hood on their head. This species hasn't been too studied, but it is presumed that their biology is similar to the rest of Psittaciformes. These birds are known for their specialized brush-tipped tongues, which they use to feed on nectar and pollen from flowers.

Lastly, we have the largest parrots. The most popular species are these:

Hyacinth or Blue Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

This species belongs to the superfamily Psittacoidea (Psittacidae family, subfamily Arinae). They are native to Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. They are large parrots that live in jungles and forests. These parrots can reach more than 40 inches (1 meter), making them the largest macaw species.

This species is not only striking for its size but also for its long feathers that are blue and yellow. These birds are classified as “vulnerable” to extinction due to the loss of habitat and illegal trade, both by humans. Furthermore, their biological cycle is very long as they reach their reproductive age at 7 years of age.

Learn more about domestic macaws in our article about macaws as pets. Their strong bond with their partners and complex social dynamics in the wild make them fascinating subjects for both study and conservation efforts.

Scarlet macaw (Ara macao)

This species is part of the superfamily Psittacoidea (family Psittacidae, subfamily Arinae). They reach more than 35.4 inches (90 cm) in length including their tail which has long feathers. This makes them one of the largest parrots in the world.

They inhabit tropical jungles, forests, and mountains from Mexico to Brazil. It's common to see flocks of more than 30 individuals. They attract attention for their winged red plumage with blue and yellow details. These social birds often engage in complex vocalizations to communicate with each other, showcasing their intelligence and strong family bonds.

Green macaw (Ara militaris)

This is a macaw somewhat smaller than the others, also included within the Psittacoidea superfamily (Psittacidae family, Arinae subfamily). They reach about 27.5 inches (70 cm) in length. They inhabit forests from Mexico to Argentina. However, they are classified as “vulnerable” due to the loss of their habitat thanks to human activities.

The green macaw's striking appearance and role in seed dispersal make them a vital part of their ecosystem, highlighting the importance of conserving their natural habitats.

You may also be interested in our article about how parrots can talk like humans.

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