Discovering The Physical Traits Of A Parrot

Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan

There are a number of physical traits that make a parrot the bird that it is. Parrot lovers will know many of these traits but let's have a look at the traits that you will recognize in a parrot. When a person knows all about a parrot's features it will be much easier to give it the parrot care that it needs.

Parrots belong to a family called Psittacidae, otherwise identified as climbing birds. Within this large, extended family are different branches, including the parrot proper as one branch is referred to: Cockatoos, Macaws, Lories and Parakeets.

One endearing feature of a parrot is the way it moves its head and twists it around to look at different things. To watch a parrot do this is quite fascinating.

Each member of the parrot family has a tongue. The tongue is soft, thick and fleshy and it's really quite mobile. In the parrot, the tongue is actually one of the sensory organs, much like it is for us. The parrot tastes, touches and swallows with this organ. And each member of the parrot family possesses a complex larynx that has three distinct muscles. And this not only helps to distinguish them as parrots but it allows them to "parrot" us humans quite well.

And, of course, each parrot has a beak and make no mistake about it b because you don't want to get a nip from an angry parrot. Their beaks are large, thick, hard and fairly solid. The beak is also a very valuable tool he uses in climbing and walking.

His eyes are on either side of his head. Because of this he cannot clearly see small objects which are held close to him without turning his head to one side. It's that inquisitive cock of its head that makes the parrot so delightfully wonderful - and at the same time gives him the appearance of great intelligence, when he seriously studies an object that is close to him.

The eyes of a parrot are formed quite differently than ours. The upper and lower lids of his eyes are actually a continuous single lid, forming a rounded opening for the eyeball. You will notice that he seldom winks like you or I do because he doesn't need to. The parrot possesses the power to contract his pupil at will, independent of the presence of light or dark.

He uses this power, most notably, when he's angry, fearful or struck by some other strong emotion. As the bird ages the color of his iris deepens.

The ears of a parrot are small, oval openings which are located right above their eyes. You can't see them very easily because they are covered by feathers, and they're placed beyond the border of the cere - or wrinkled skin around the eye.

Generally these colorful birds have short wings but some varieties of the Macaw are the exception to this rule. They have long wings covered with long feathers.

The body of the bird itself is really quite bulky which does create some difficulties for them in walking around easily or taking flight.

Parrot tail feathers differ widely in length, some short and stubby and on other parrots they are long and elegant. Usually there are 12 tail feathers on a parrot.

This beautiful creature has short legs with four toes, two facing forwards and two going backwards. But these toes are one of his most prized possessions. Their toes give them the ability to climb well and with ease. When he walks he has a waddling gait.

Another feature of the toes is that they are instrumental when the parrot eats. He uses them much like fingers holding his food firmly with the toes of one of his feet and placing the food in his mouth. The second foot obviously, is then used to support him. The legs are muscular and are covered with strong scales. This helps him to hang on to a perch without much thought and very little effort. Aided by the strong hooked claws of the toes the parrot can easily sit on branches and keep his balance.

Knowing all about a parrot's features makes it much easier to distinguish between a parrot and other bird species.