5 Things You Did Not Know About Parrots
Parrots can outlive humans
Ok, so maybe you know this fact about large hand raised parrots like African greys and macaws. What you probably did not know is that some of the smaller species like cockatiels and lorikeets regularly get past their 20 year birthdays. Cute and adorable caiques often reach 30 years old. Even the humble budgie is likely to make it past its 10th birthday.
Rhubarb and avocado can be fatal to parrots
Other foods that are not recommended are lettuce, garlic and onions. None of these are toxic to birds but these vegetables do cause gastric discomfort and diarrhoea. Watch our dangerous food video here.
Parrots are Zygodactyl
That is a fancy way of saying that all parrots have four toes. Two that point forward and two that point backwards. These four-toed feet are part of the secret to the parrot’s agility and occasional ability to escape the cage.
Parrots will sometimes eat meat
In New Zealand the native kea parrots were persecuted for killing sheep. On other occasions parrots have been observed eating insects and sometimes meat left off feeding trays.
Parrots don’t taste with their tongues
Parrots use the inside top of their beak to taste. Compared to humans parrots do not have very many taste buds. This probably explains the insect eating.
Meet Mango, a very special Senegal Parrot