anyone know any parrot trivia or little known parrot facts?

[plax]

I'll start:
Most parrots are left-footed, meaning most of them use their left foot to hold food, foot toys, etc. It's analogous to the fact that most humans are right-handed.

 

[triordan]

all parrot eggs are pure white~

 

[SandyBee]

Parrots are the only birds that can bring food to its mouth with its foot

 

[ConureCrazy]

They talk.

But seriously, I didn't know that they were left footed. Bella and Zora are right?

 

[plax]

The tongues of parrots (and other birds) contain 5 bones. Unlike our tongues, which contain no bones.

 

[plax]

But seriously, I didn't know that they were left footed. Bella and Zora are right?

I think you may have a coincidentally rare situation (to have two right-footed parrots). Of my 4, all are left-footed except for Maynard. I'm unsure of the frequency of occurrence of right-footed parrots, though. Especially among the varying specific species.

 

[Mudkips]

Parrots only have about 350 taste buds (humans have about 9000).

If Birdy waves with his left foot but picks up food with his right, what does that make him?

 

[ConureCrazy]

But seriously, I didn't know that they were left footed. Bella and Zora are right?

I think you may have a coincidentally rare situation (to have two right-footed parrots). Of my 4, all are left-footed except for Maynard. I'm unsure of the frequency of occurrence of right-footed parrots, though. Especially among the varying specific species.

Yeah, I just thought it was a rare coincidence. Still pretty baffling. If it helps any, they're sisters from the same clutch. Does that make it more, or less common?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

parrots tend to take very good care of their young, making sure that each chick is given enough food. Eagles on the other hand.....

 

[Echo]

Parrots don't fly in the dark.

 

[henpecked]

Quakers are the only parrot to build nest. Others are cavity nesters.

 

[MonicaMc]

Finches can talk... as can starlings, mynas and I've heard even crows and ravens...


The kakapo parrot (name means "owl like") is the largest parrot in the world, weighing in as much as twice the amount of a hyacinth macaw, is the only parrot with a lek breeding system (aka the only parrot known for having one night stands, literally! ), they are nocturnal parrots and they have a loud booming voice that can be heard for miles around!


Sirocco is the most famous kakapo!
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: kakapo

 

[Aquila]

Magpies are one of the only self aware birds.

Mirror Self-recognition In Magpie Birds

 

[plax]

Magpies are one of the only self aware birds.

Mirror Self-recognition In Magpie Birds

For what it's worth, I don't necessarily take from that article that Magpies are one of the only self-aware bird species. I take from it that Magpies happened to be the species of bird the researchers decided to test in order to determine whether lower species, such as birds, can be aware of their own reflections. I've long noticed that my Macaws clearly seem to be aware of their own mirror reflections.

But I think it's an interesting implication/revelation. It seems Man's arrogant belief that humans are so exclusively intelligent, and that certain human mental traits are so far above those of other species, isn't necessarily the case

 

[MonicaMc]

Intelligence should not be measured by what the animals know so much as it should be measured by what they can learn within their environment.

Crows in Japan have learned to drop hard nuts on cross walks in busy streets. They wait for the cars to crush the nut, then wait for the cross walk sign (or an un-busy street) to come on to retrieve their reward.

One study on [wild] crows showed that they can learn to drop a coin into a machine to retrieve food.

A crow in captivity used a piece of wire to make a hook to retrieve food.

Joshua Klein: The intelligence of crows | Video on TED.com



More parrot related.... Kea's are the worlds only alpine parrot! And they love to destroy cars!
kea parrot car - YouTube

 

[plax]

Intelligence should not be measured by what the animals know so much as it should be measured by what they can learn within their environment.

Yes, it should be measured by their ability to solve problems, especially with tools. Hyacinth Macaws don't have the usual grasping ridge formed into the back side of their upper beaks, as do most other Macaw species. Zaf, my Hy, will pick up a piece of cloth or paper towel, folds it over, then position it between an un-cracked macadamia nut and his upper beak to keep the nut from slipping away as he applies pressure to score then crack it open. I've read that other Hys do this as well.

 

[JerseyWendy]

FUN FACT:

Being called a bird brain is indeed a compliment.