Agree, among all the animal and bird diversity that inhabits the globe, parrots stand out for their intelligence, charm and quick wits. Today I would like to tell you about the most prominent representatives of this species. We will talk about who he is - the biggest parrot in the world, what he is and whether he is the only one in the world.
Kakapo
One of the largest parrots is the kakapo. But this species is slightly different from the parrots we are used to, which fly around the apartment and sit on the shoulder in order to bite the owner by the ear. Kakapo can't fly. It is mostly nocturnal and looks more like an owl than a parrot. In the daytime, they try to hide somewhere, but at night they go out to “hunt” for plant shoots, berries or tree shoots.
Kakapo habitat
Where do kakapo parrots live? The only place where you can meet these amazingly beautiful creatures is a few islands in New Zealand. In these places, scientists carefully monitor the population. Sadly, this species of parrot is on the verge of extinction. The thing is that they do not lay eggs every year, like other species. In addition, there are very few female parrots, malesdominate, which also does not lead to an increase in the population.
Despite the fact that kakapo are considered one of the most ancient birds on Earth, withstood many trials, they are dying out. In the world, scientists have counted about 125 individuals. Specialists observing them carefully try to protect the birds from predators and other dangers. Each bird even has a name.
Features of the species
If we talk about size, then kakapo not for nothing bears the title of "the largest parrot in the world." Its weight reaches four and a half kilograms. The body length is about sixty centimeters. In appearance, these parrots resemble a soft plush owlet toy, only a decent size.
Another unique feature is the smell. As a rule, birds do not smell very pleasant, but not kakapo. From its feathers comes a surprisingly pleasant floral aroma with hints of honey, which does not leave anyone indifferent and forever falls in love with these birds.
Greater Hyacinth Macaw
The largest parrot in the world is a large hyacinth macaw. This representative of the species is more reminiscent of a parrot, as it is. It flies well, unlike the kakapo. The body length of this parrot is about a meter.
Why is the largest parrot called "hyacinth"? All because of its coloration. The large macaw has a nice blue feather color.
Where does the big macaw live?
This species is quite numerous. The largest parrot lives in the impenetrable forests of Brazil, in palm trees.groves of Paraguay, in Bolivia. Unlike the kakapo, the macaw is a diurnal bird. Flights for food, communication with the opposite sex and other “events” useful for the life of a parrot take place exclusively during the day. At night, this species goes to roost in the thick of the forest, where it is safer and quieter.
Family colonies
Hyacinth macaws get along well with each other, and the ratio of males and females is approximately equal. Hence - offspring, numerous and he althy. When the male finds a mate, they go together to the gathering place of the parrot family colonies. As a rule, in such colonies there are up to ten individuals. Birds lay their eggs either in a hollow or dig holes in the ground with clawed paws.
Unfortunately, these birds are not such frequent guests in human homes. Unlike, for example, cockatoos, macaws love freedom and feel more comfortable in the wild than on a person’s shoulder or in a cage.
The biggest parrot lays eggs several times a year. Probably, it is this fact that protects the macaw from extinction. As a rule, only one or two small cubs remain from the entire litter, the rest, unfortunately, die. But due to the frequency of the birth of chicks, the population remains unchanged.
Cockatoo
This type of parrot can also be categorized as the largest. This is one of those birds that can easily get along with people under one roof. It should be noted that the cockatoo is completely unpretentious and its maintenance will not cause much trouble to the owners.
The only thing that willconstantly demanding a pet is increased attention. Parrots raised by people become very attached to them, miss them when they leave home or pay little attention due to being busy.
Because of their size, cockatoos require ample cage space. Aviaries must certainly be high and wide so that the bird feels as comfortable as possible. You can feed the cockatoo:
- vegetables (carrots, cucumbers);
- cereals (millet, millet, corn, hemp, oats, seeds);
- fruits (bananas, pears, apples);
- berries;
- nuts.
There are special food kits that are designed specifically for such a large parrot.
Cockatoos are great with kids. They can learn up to twenty words and apply them correctly. They have mastered the art of imitating sounds.
If you decide to purchase a similar bird for your family, we advise you to choose a young individual. The earlier the bird will be with a person from an earlier age, the calmer its character will be. As you know, this species lives up to a hundred years, so your grandchildren will also be able to enjoy communication with an amazing creature.
