Parrots

Who They Are

Avian Behavior International is home to 11 species of parrots. Our residents are:

• Luca and Balboa: Green-winged Macaws (Ara chloropterus)
• Leo: Hyacinth Macaw (Andorynchus hyacinthus)
• Banjo and Felix: Blue and Gold Macaws (Ara ararauna)
• Indy: Military Macaw (Ara militaris)
• Kingston: Blue Throated Macaw (Ara glaucguraris)
• Jupiter and Arthur: Palm Cockatoos (Probosciger aterriumus)
• Roxy and Daisy Mae: Major Mitchell’s cockatoos (Lophocroa leadbeateri)
• Beetlejuice: Bare eyed cockatoo (Cacatua sanguinea)
• Henry: Triton Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita triton)
• Sam: Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis)
• Hugo: Double yellow headed amazon (Amazona oratrix)

Where They Originate

Parrots are incredibly widespread, with species found from North America through South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Feral parrots have even made colonies in the Europe and the UK.

Their Role at Avian Behavior International

Parrots have historically suffered from capture from the pet trade, though importation laws and robust captive breeding efforts have curbed these activities in the US and other Western countries.

Now, their biggest crisis is habitat loss to development, mining, agriculture, and pollution. Parrots as a genus are among the most endangered of all birds. ABI parrots help us tell the complex nuances of conservation in a rapidly changing world.

From palm oil plantations to native poachers and trade agreements, never has there been a time when preservation has been more challenging.

How You Can Meet Them

Watch them fly overhead during the Free-Flight Macaw Experience or enjoy a fun afternoon together with the Picnic with the Parrots experience!

Learn about positive reinforcement training with a variety of animal species at our workshops

Likes and Dislikes

Likes: Socializing with the guests

Dislikes: Helium balloons flying overhead and native deer grazing nearby

What You Might Not Know About These Birds

Parrots have a bone in their tongue that allows them to be very dexterous when eating and chewing.

Parrots have language and dialects, even down to the little Australian budgerigar. They will give each other “names,” which are unique noises they make when they see each other.

One of the most famous parrots, Alex the African Grey Parrot, was a laboratory specimen who Dr. Irene Pepperberg attempted to show higher language with. While Alex had a huge vocabulary, much of her work has been contested in other papers, as it was never able to be replicated with any other parrot, and the methods seem to suggest that Alex would often sample different sounds until he was finally rewarded for the right one.