Category: Parrot Care
Date November 11, 2024
Posted by Amannda Steinmann
Parrots are not native to zoos or pirates' shoulders. They have to come from somewhere else first. Typically when people think of a parrot's natural habitat, they picture the rainforest for a significant number of parrot species, that is exactly right. These are tropical birds, mostly living in places like the Amazon. A few species have migrated over time: or escaped into wild areas that have been friendly to them—like the birds that escaped into the Florida everglades. Knowing a little about where these incredible birds come from, however,
can help you understand them better and why you need to make special accommodations for them if you keep any as pets.
The vast majority of wild parrots live in the southern hemisphere of the world, flying around rainforests in South America, Australia, and Africa, though a few are native to parts of Mexico or on various islands. There are 31 species of Amazon parrots dominating the jungle areas in Mexico and the northern part of South America. Most of Australia's 56 types of parrots are in rainforests as well.
The most popular types of parrots—the "classic" birds people love for pets— are all rainforest birds. Macaws, parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatoos fall into this category. Although these are all very different birds, they do tend to have a few characteristics in common. The hard, curved beak, colorful plumage, and toes of these birds are all very similar across the various species, although they may look slightly different from bird to bird.
Since so many parrots that make good pets are originally from the rainforest, they do need special accommodations when they live outside that habitat in your home. Their food needs to match the kinds of foods they might find in the wild, from nuts and seeds to flowers and fruits. You can't let your bird get too cold, either.
With a little work, you can make your home a friendly place for your tropical feathered friend. As always with birds, you simply have to be intentional about their care and their needs.
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