{"id":24199,"date":"2023-01-18T16:49:07","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T15:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/?p=71487"},"modified":"2023-01-18T22:35:51","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T21:35:51","slug":"parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots\/","title":{"rendered":"Parrots guide: how many species there are, why they talk, and why the UK has some wild parrots"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By BBC Wildlife Magazine\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

How many parrot species are there?<\/h2>\n
There are almost 400 species of parrots, which are all in the Psittaciformes order, which are further split into three superfamilies. The Psittacoidea are the \u201ctrue\u201d parrots, which includes the macaws, lorikeets and budgerigars. The Cacatuoidea superfamily consists of the cockatoos. The Strigopoidea superfamily consists of the New Zealand parrots, such as the \u00a0kea,\u00a0k\u0101k\u0101, and k\u0101k\u0101p\u014d.<\/p>\n\n<h2>How and why do parrots talk?<\/h2>\n<iframe title=\""Meet\" disco=\"\" the=\"\" incredible=\"\" talking=\"\" budgie=\"\" pets=\"\" wild=\"\" at=\"\" heart=\"\" bbc=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jXc9ylCXqCw?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" web-share=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p><span class=\""s1"\">Parrots are among the world\u2019s most intelligent birds and use a complex series of vocalisations to communicate with each other, many of which are learned from members of their social group. When living with humans, parrots continue this process by mimicking our speech. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\""s1"\">One famous African grey parrot named Alex learned a vocabulary of more than 150 different words. Incidentally, though the word \u2018parroting\u2019 implies that these birds are merely copying us, scientists working with Alex proved that he understood abstract concepts, which suggests that \u2018language\u2019 is not confined to humans. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\""s2"\"><i>Answered by <a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/author\/stephenmoss\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Moss<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How intelligent are parrots?<\/h2>\n<p>Parrots are\u00a0 famous for their fierce intelligence \u2013 this may well be a driving force behind their longevity, as the species with the bigger brains in proportion to their body size tend to live the longest.<\/p>\n<p>It is thought that the problem-solving abilities of the most intelligent birds enable them to navigate threats encountered throughout their lives, although it\u2019s also possible that a long life enables the evolution of intelligence, as it provides the time required to learn and accumulate complex skills.<\/p>\n<p><em>Answered by <a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/author\/stuartblackman\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">Stuart Blackman<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> <h4>More on parrots:\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/news\/extinct-parrot-from-rio-makes-a-comeback-in-brazil\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">News (2022): Extinct parrot from Rio makes a comeback in Brazil<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/news\/do-three-legged-parrots-exist\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">News (2022): Do three-legged parrots exist?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/people\/meet-the-scientist\/saving-flightless-parrots-from-extinction\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">Meet The Scientist interview: Saving flightless parrots from extinction<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><h2>How long do parrots live for?<\/h2>\n<p>As a general rule, large animals live longer than small ones. Parrots, though, punch well above their weight longevity-wise. In captivity, a macaw has a similar life expectancy to a human that is 50 times as heavy, and even captive budgerigars can make it to the ripe old age of 18 or so.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Does the UK have any wild parrots?<\/h2>\n<p\/><div class=\""im-gallery\" im-gallery--slideshow=\"\"> <i class=\""icon-loading"\" data-grunticon-embed=\"\"\/> <div class=\""standard-grid\" thumbnails--show=\"\"> <div class=\""row\" no-gutters=\"\"> <div class=\""col-lg-12\" col-md-12=\"\" col-12=\"\" style=\""display:\" none=\"\"> <figure><div class=\""image-handlercontainer\" image-handlercontainer--aspect=\"\" style=\""padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(min-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\""wp-image-49077\" size-portrait_thumbnail=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-gallery-grid-src-image=\"\" src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723"\" width=\""556"\" height=\""723"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" alt=\""A\" ring-necked=\"\" parakeet=\"\" lit=\"\" by=\"\" golden=\"\" sunlight=\"\" perching=\"\" in=\"\" a=\"\" tree=\"\" with=\"\" natural=\"\" bright=\"\" blue=\"\" sky=\"\" title=\""A\" perched=\"\" tree.=\"\" paula=\"\" french=\"\" style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/div> <figcaption style=\""display:none;"\"><div class=\""caption-hold"\"> <figcaption class=\""wp-caption-text"\"><span class=\""caption-copy"\">A ring-necked parakeet perched in a tree. \u00a9 Paula French\/Getty<\/span> <\/figcaption><span class=\""im-image-caption"\"> <i\/> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><meta class=\""js-lightbox-thumbnail-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"","srcset":"https:\\\/\\\/images.immediate.co.uk\\\/production\\\/volatile\\\/sites\\\/23\\\/2020\\\/11\\\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=500%2C335,\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-49077\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-thumbnail-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=500%2C335"\" data-width=\""500"\" data-height=\""334"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""A\" ring-necked=\"\" parakeet=\"\" lit=\"\" by=\"\" golden=\"\" sunlight=\"\" perching=\"\" in=\"\" a=\"\" tree=\"\" with=\"\" natural=\"\" bright=\"\" blue=\"\" sky=\"\" data-title=\""A\" perched=\"\" tree.=\"\" paula=\"\" french=\"\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-lightbox-grid-thumbnail-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"","srcset":"https:\\\/\\\/images.immediate.co.uk\\\/production\\\/volatile\\\/sites\\\/23\\\/2020\\\/11\\\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C160,\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-49077\" size-square_image=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-grid-thumbnail-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=100%2C100"\" data-width=\""100"\" data-height=\""100"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""A\" ring-necked=\"\" parakeet=\"\" lit=\"\" by=\"\" golden=\"\" sunlight=\"\" perching=\"\" in=\"\" a=\"\" tree=\"\" with=\"\" natural=\"\" bright=\"\" blue=\"\" sky=\"\" data-title=\""A\" perched=\"\" tree.=\"\" paula=\"\" french=\"\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-lightbox-slider-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"(max-width:\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-49077\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-slider-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2020\/11\/Ring-necked-parakeet.-GettyImages-1287437406-3c59718.jpg?quality=90&resize=960%2C643"\" data-width=\""960"\" data-height=\""642"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""A\" ring-necked=\"\" parakeet=\"\" lit=\"\" by=\"\" golden=\"\" sunlight=\"\" perching=\"\" in=\"\" a=\"\" 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auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/div> <div class=\""col-lg-12\" col-md-12=\"\" col-12=\"\" style=\""display:\" none=\"\"> <figure><div class=\""image-handlercontainer\" image-handlercontainer--aspect=\"\" style=\""padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(min-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\""wp-image-73366\" size-portrait_thumbnail=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-gallery-grid-src-image=\"\" src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723"\" width=\""556"\" height=\""723"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" alt=\""Monk\" parakeet=\"\" monachus=\"\" on=\"\" stone=\"\" curb=\"\" title=\""Monk\" style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/div> <figcaption style=\""display:none;"\"><div class=\""caption-hold"\"> <figcaption class=\""wp-caption-text"\"><span class=\""caption-copy"\">Monk parakeet on a stone curb. \u00a9 Chris McNeill\/Getty<\/span> <\/figcaption><span class=\""im-image-caption"\"> <i\/> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><meta class=\""js-lightbox-thumbnail-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"","srcset":"https:\\\/\\\/images.immediate.co.uk\\\/production\\\/volatile\\\/sites\\\/23\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=500%2C281,\" https:=\"\" 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monachus=\"\" on=\"\" stone=\"\" curb=\"\" data-title=\""Monk\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-embedded-slideshow-slider-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"(max-width:\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73366\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" embedded-slideshow-slider-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Monk-parakeet.-GettyImages-981554518-955d60a.jpg?quality=90&resize=960%2C540"\" data-width=\""960"\" data-height=\""540"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Monk\" parakeet=\"\" monachus=\"\" on=\"\" stone=\"\" curb=\"\" data-title=\""Monk\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/div> <div class=\""col-lg-12\" col-md-12=\"\" col-12=\"\" style=\""display:\" none=\"\"> <figure><div class=\""image-handlercontainer\" image-handlercontainer--aspect=\"\" style=\""padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(min-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\""wp-image-73365\" size-portrait_thumbnail=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-gallery-grid-src-image=\"\" src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723"\" width=\""556"\" height=\""723"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" alt=\""Alexandrine\" parakeet=\"\" or=\"\" alexandrian=\"\" parrot=\"\" eupatria=\"\" couple=\"\" feeding=\"\" each=\"\" other=\"\" during=\"\" the=\"\" breeding=\"\" season=\"\" perched=\"\" on=\"\" a=\"\" branch=\"\" in=\"\" palace=\"\" park=\"\" schlosspark=\"\" biebrich=\"\" wiesbaden=\"\" hesse=\"\" germany=\"\" title=\""Alexandrine\" style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/div> <figcaption style=\""display:none;"\"><div class=\""caption-hold"\"> <figcaption class=\""wp-caption-text"\"><span class=\""caption-copy"\">Alexandrine parakeet or Alexandrian parrot couple feeding each other during the breeding season in Germany. \u00a9 Friedhelm Adam\/Getty<\/span> <\/figcaption><span class=\""im-image-caption"\"> <i\/> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><meta class=\""js-lightbox-thumbnail-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"","srcset":"https:\\\/\\\/images.immediate.co.uk\\\/production\\\/volatile\\\/sites\\\/23\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=500%2C333,\" 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data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"","srcset":"https:\\\/\\\/images.immediate.co.uk\\\/production\\\/volatile\\\/sites\\\/23\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C160,\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73365\" size-square_image=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-grid-thumbnail-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=100%2C100"\" data-width=\""100"\" data-height=\""100"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Alexandrine\" parakeet=\"\" or=\"\" alexandrian=\"\" parrot=\"\" eupatria=\"\" couple=\"\" feeding=\"\" each=\"\" other=\"\" during=\"\" the=\"\" breeding=\"\" season=\"\" perched=\"\" on=\"\" a=\"\" branch=\"\" in=\"\" palace=\"\" park=\"\" schlosspark=\"\" biebrich=\"\" wiesbaden=\"\" hesse=\"\" germany=\"\" data-title=\""Alexandrine\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-lightbox-slider-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"(max-width:\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73365\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-slider-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=960%2C640"\" data-width=\""960"\" data-height=\""640"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Alexandrine\" parakeet=\"\" or=\"\" alexandrian=\"\" parrot=\"\" eupatria=\"\" couple=\"\" feeding=\"\" each=\"\" other=\"\" during=\"\" the=\"\" breeding=\"\" season=\"\" perched=\"\" on=\"\" a=\"\" branch=\"\" in=\"\" palace=\"\" park=\"\" schlosspark=\"\" biebrich=\"\" wiesbaden=\"\" hesse=\"\" germany=\"\" data-title=\""Alexandrine\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-embedded-slideshow-slider-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"(max-width:\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73365\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" embedded-slideshow-slider-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Alexandrine-Parakeet.-GettyImages-999136580-a9004c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=960%2C640"\" data-width=\""960"\" data-height=\""640"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Alexandrine\" parakeet=\"\" or=\"\" alexandrian=\"\" parrot=\"\" eupatria=\"\" couple=\"\" feeding=\"\" each=\"\" other=\"\" during=\"\" the=\"\" breeding=\"\" season=\"\" perched=\"\" on=\"\" a=\"\" branch=\"\" in=\"\" palace=\"\" park=\"\" schlosspark=\"\" biebrich=\"\" wiesbaden=\"\" hesse=\"\" germany=\"\" data-title=\""Alexandrine\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/div> <div class=\""col-lg-12\" col-md-12=\"\" col-12=\"\" style=\""display:\" none=\"\"> <figure><div class=\""image-handlercontainer\" image-handlercontainer--aspect=\"\" style=\""padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(max-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><source media=\""(min-width:\" srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\""wp-image-73364\" size-portrait_thumbnail=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-gallery-grid-src-image=\"\" src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723"\" width=\""556"\" height=\""723"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" alt=\""Budges\" on=\"\" a=\"\" rope=\"\" title=\""Budges\" style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/div> <figcaption style=\""display:none;"\"><div class=\""caption-hold"\"> <figcaption class=\""wp-caption-text"\"><span class=\""caption-copy"\">Three budgies perched on a rope. \u00a9 Kevin Trojanowski\/Getty<\/span> <\/figcaption><span class=\""im-image-caption"\"> <i\/> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><meta class=\""js-lightbox-thumbnail-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"","srcset":"https:\\\/\\\/images.immediate.co.uk\\\/production\\\/volatile\\\/sites\\\/23\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=500%2C333,\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73364\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-thumbnail-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=500%2C333"\" data-width=\""500"\" data-height=\""333"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Budges\" on=\"\" a=\"\" rope=\"\" data-title=\""Budges\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-lightbox-grid-thumbnail-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"","srcset":"https:\\\/\\\/images.immediate.co.uk\\\/production\\\/volatile\\\/sites\\\/23\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C160,\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73364\" size-square_image=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-grid-thumbnail-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=100%2C100"\" data-width=\""100"\" data-height=\""100"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Budges\" on=\"\" a=\"\" rope=\"\" data-title=\""Budges\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-lightbox-slider-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"(max-width:\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73364\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" lightbox-slider-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=960%2C640"\" data-width=\""960"\" data-height=\""640"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Budges\" on=\"\" a=\"\" rope=\"\" data-title=\""Budges\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><meta class=\""js-embedded-slideshow-slider-picture"\" data-sources=\"'[{"type":"image\\\/jpeg","media":"(max-width:\" https:=\"\" data-class=\""wp-image-73364\" size-full=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" embedded-slideshow-slider-picture=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Budgies.-GettyImages-991100192-2931339.jpg?quality=90&resize=960%2C640"\" data-width=\""960"\" data-height=\""640"\" data-crop-width=\"""\" data-crop-height=\"""\" data-alt=\""Budges\" on=\"\" a=\"\" rope=\"\" data-title=\""Budges\" data-style=\""width:\" auto=\"\" height:=\"\"\/><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAside from the familiar <a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/animal-facts\/birds\/ring-necked-parakeet-facts\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">ring-necked parakeet<\/a>, found mainly in London, there may be a tiny population of monk parakeets in the UK. About 15 years ago, the species was earmarked for eradication by DEFRA due to fears of it becoming a pest. In its native Argentina it can build colonial nests on telegraph poles that reach the size of a small car, causing the poles to collapse. The birds also raid fruit farms in large flocks.\n<p>Another parrot with a fingernail grip in Britain is the Alexandrine parakeet, a denizen of south-east Asia, which sometimes appears at ring-necked parakeet roosts.<\/p>\n<p>There was also once a colony of budgies on the Isles of Scilly. The birds were being fed by a resident and when he left the islands in 1975 the population died out.<\/p>\n<p><em>Answered by <a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/author\/davidlindo\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">David Lindo<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Where is the world\u2019s largest parrot breeding colony?<\/h2>\n<div class=\""image-handlercontainer\" image-handlercontainer--aspect=\"\" style=\""padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><img class=\""wp-image-73367\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Burrowing-parrots.-GettyImages-1126027846-721f3fc.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" width=\""620"\" height=\""413"\" alt=\"""\" title=\"""\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\""caption-hold"\"><figcaption class=\""wp-caption-text"\"><span class=\""caption-copy"\"><i class=\""icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> <em>A flock of burrowing parakeets in flight in Argentina. \u00a9 Cagan Hakki Sekercioglu\/Getty<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\""im-image-caption"\"\/><\/div>\n<p>The colony of burrowing parrots (also known as Patagonian conures) at El C\u00f3ndor, R\u00edo Negro, Argentina, claims this title. In 2003 scientists counted approximately 37,000 active nests of these gregarious green and yellow birds on the sandstone cliffs along this 12km stretch of Atlantic coastline.<\/p>\n<p>The birds nest in pairs, excavating a tunnel leading to a nesting chamber in which they deposit their eggs. Though the population might sound healthy, the colony remains under threat from habitat loss, human disturbance and poaching for the pet trade.<\/p>\n<p><em>Answered by <a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/author\/sarahmcpherson\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">Sarah McPherson<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Can parrots be altruistic?<\/h2>\n<p>They certainly seem to be in a study published in the journal <em>Current Biology<\/em> at the beginning of 2020.<\/p>\n<p>An experiment was set up, whereby two parrots were placed in a partitioned compartment. One parrot could exchange tokens for treats \u2013 but only if the other parrot first passed the token to it.<\/p>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> <ul><li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/animal-facts\/what-causes-animal-altruism\/"\">What causes animal altruism?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><p>\u201cWe found that African greys voluntarily and spontaneously help familiar parrots to achieve a goal, without obvious immediate benefit to themselves,\u201d says study co-author D\u00e9sir\u00e9e Brucks from Germany\u2019s <a href=\"\/\/www.orn.mpg.de\/en"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">Max Planck Institute for Ornithology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe study provides preliminary evidence for prosocial behaviour in grey parrots,\u201d says Dr Irene Pepperberg, who has for many years carried out experiments studying the cognitive and communicative ability of African greys.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe two siblings that had a very close affiliation were the most engaged here, and it will be interesting to follow them as they age and mate with other individuals. The evidence for the other, less-affiliated grey parrots is less convincing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the same experiment, blue-headed macaws did not help each other.<\/p>\n<p><em>Answered by <a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/author\/jamesfair\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">James Fair<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Can parrots blush?<\/h2>\n<p>Well, this is embarrassing. Humans have long been thought to be the only animals that blush but, it turns out, we are not alone. Research suggests that certain parrots can also communicate emotional states with a rush of blood to the face.<\/p>\n<p>Darwin considered blushing to be \u2018the most peculiar and most human of all expressions\u2019. But French biologists have discovered that it\u2019s something we share with macaws.<\/p>\n<p>Part of the reason for the rarity of blushing animals is that the skin is usually obscured by fur or feathers. But macaws and humans are both unusual in having bare cheeks.<\/p>\n<p>Working with captive blue-and-yellow macaws, the biologists found the parrots\u2019 white cheek skin blushes pink when they interact positively with human handlers, with whom they have made strong bonds. The colour change was often accompanied by a ruffling of the feathers on the crown and nape.<\/p>\n<div class=\""image-handlercontainer\" image-handlercontainer--aspect=\"\" style=\""padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(max-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/webp"\"><source media=\""(min-width:\" data-srcset=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\""image\/jpeg"\"><img class=\""wp-image-73368\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handlerimage=\"\" image-handlerimage--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2022\/11\/Blue-and-yellow-macaw.-GettyImages-1415939788-437312b.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" width=\""620"\" height=\""413"\" alt=\"""\" title=\"""\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\""caption-hold"\"><figcaption class=\""wp-caption-text"\"><span class=\""caption-copy"\"><i class=\""icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> <em>A blue and yellow macaw, in captivity in Lindal In Furness, United Kingdom. \u00a9 Tom Meaker\/EyeEm\/Getty<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\""im-image-caption"\"\/><\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe think the display signals a kind of state of satisfaction or pleasure, when they receive attention from their carer,\u201d says Aline Bertin of the University of Tours.<\/p>\n<p>She adds that her team also has evidence that other macaw species produce similar displays. The precise meaning of this is not yet clear, not least because next to nothing is known about how the parrots use the display amongst themselves or in the wild. But there is little reason at this stage to think that it signals embarrassment, a complex emotion that requires knowledge of what others are thinking about you.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know that parrots have highly sophisticated cognitive skills, comparable to primates or dolphins, but their emotional world remains unexplored,\u201d says Bertin. \u201cBut our skin turns more or less pink in several emotional contexts,\u201d she says. \u201cWe also observed blushing when the macaws were scared by the sudden opening of an umbrella.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Answered by <a href=\"\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/author\/stuartblackman\/"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""noopener" noopener noreferrer\">Stuart Blackman<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr\/><p><em>Main image: A rainbow lorikeet feeding. \u00a9 Joao Inacio\/Getty<\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By BBC Wildlife Magazine Published: Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 12:00 am How many parrot species are there? There are almost 400 species of parrots, which are all in the Psittaciformes order, which are further split into three superfamilies. The Psittacoidea are the \u201ctrue\u201d parrots, which includes the macaws, lorikeets and budgerigars. The Cacatuoidea superfamily […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24200,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots.jpg",2121,1414,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/parrots-guide-how-many-species-there-are-why-they-talk-and-why-the-uk-has-some-wild-parrots-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By BBC Wildlife Magazine Published: Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 12:00 am How many parrot species are there? There are almost 400 species of parrots, which are all in the Psittaciformes order, which are further split into three superfamilies. The Psittacoidea are the \u201ctrue\u201d parrots, which includes the macaws, lorikeets and budgerigars. The Cacatuoidea superfamily…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/24199"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}