True Parrots (Psittacidae)

 

The Psittacidae (79 genera, and 375 species) are found in Mexico, Central and South America, the West Indies, sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, Australia, and the Pacific islands. The greatest diversity is in South America and Australasia. True parrots inhabit forests, woodlands, savannas, but also grasslands, and deserts. The family includes many of the familiar species, e.g., parakeets, macaws, amazons, lories, the grey parrot, and the budgerigar. Most species nest in cavities in dead or living trees, cliffs, or termite mounds; also in burrows. One species builds a stick nest. Parrots lay 1-6 white eggs; incubation lasts 18-28 days. The young are altricial. The Psittacidae feeds on seeds, fruits, nuts, nectar, leaves, and other plant matter. Many species are threatened by trapping for the pet trade and habitat loss, and 10-18 species have gone extinct in recent times.

 

		Plain Parakeet (Brotogeris tirica)
		Maroon-bellied Parakeet (Pyrrhura frontalis)
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