Overview
The true parrots are about 330 species of bird belonging to the Psittacidae , one of the two "traditional" families in the biological order Psittaciformes (parrots). The other family is the Cacatuidae (cockatoos) which are also parrots, but not classified as true parrots. True parrots are more widespread than cockatoos, with species in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and eastwards across the Pacific Ocean as far as Polynesia.
The true parrot family is often considered to contain two subfamilies, the Psittacinae (typical parrots and allies) and the Loriinae (lories and lorikeets). However, there are other systems of classification and these two groups are sometimes ascribed full family status, being called Psittacidae and Loriidae.
Like most parrots the Psittacidae are primarily seed eaters. There is some variation in the diet of individual species, with fruits, nuts, leaves and even insects and other animal prey being taken on occasion by some species. The lorikeets are predominately nectar feeders; many other parrots will drink nectar as well. Most Psittacidae are cavity nesting birds which form monogamous pair bonds.
Phylogeny
The order Psittaciformes (parrots) contains two families of parrots, the cockatoos and the true parrots. These seem to be less distinct from each other than the true parrot lineages are among themselves, and it appears as if eventually most major groups of living parrots will be given the same taxonomic rank. They will probably be treated as subfamilies for the most part, as the living Psittaciformes seem monophyletic with regards to several prehistoric families.
- Family Psittacidae (true parrots)
- Subfamily Loriinae (lories and lorikeets)
- Subfamily Ps
ittacinae (typical parrots and
allies)
- Tribe Arini (American psittacines)
- Tribe Cyclopsittacini (fig parrots)
- Tribe Micropsittini (pygmy parrots)
- Tribe Platycercini (broad-tailed parrots) paraphyletic
- Tribe Psittrichadini (Pesquet's Parrot)
- Tribe Psittacini (African psittacines) paraphyletic
- Tribe Psittaculini (Asian psittacines) paraphyletic
Image Gallery
Species Lists
- Species list sortable alphabetically by common or scientific name
- Species list in taxonomic order
Books
- Bruce Thomas Boehner - Parrot Culture. Our 2,500-year-Long Fascination with the World's Most Talkative Bird (2004)
Photos
Taxonomy
The Family Psittacidae is further organized into finer groupings including:
- Subfamily (2): Loriinae · Nestorinae
- Genus (102): Agapornis · Alisterus · Amazona · Amazonesia · Amoropsittaca · Andorhynchus · Androglossa · Anodorhynchus · Aprosmictus · Ara · Arara · Aratinga · Barnardius · Bolborhynchus · Brotogeris · Brotogerys · Cacatoes · Cacatua · Callocephalon · Calopsitta · Calyptorhynchus · Chalcopsitta · Chalcopsittacus · Charmosyna · Chrysotis · Conuropsis · Conurus · Coracopis · Coracopsis · Cyanoliseus · Cyanoramphus · Cyanorhamphus · Cyclopsitta · Cyclopsittacus · Eclectus · Enicognathus · Eolophus · Eos · Eunymphicus · Eupsittula · Forpus · Geoffroyus · Geopsittacus · Glossopsitta · Guarouba · Gypopsitta · Hypocharmosyna · Kakatoe · Lophopsittacus · Loriculus · Lorius · Mascarinus · Melopsitacus · Micropsitta · Myiopsitta · Myiopsittacus · Necropsittacus · Nendayus · Neophema · Neopsittacus · Nestor · Northiella · Nymphicus · Opopsitta · Oreopsittacus · Palaeornis · Pezoporus · Pionias · Pionites · Pionopsitta · Pionus · Platycercus · Platycerus · Poeocephalus · Poicephalus · Polytelis · Prioniturus · Probosciger · Propyrrhura · Prosopeia · Psephotus · Pseudeos · Psilopsiagon · Psittacara · Psittacella · Psittacopes · Psittacula · Psittaculirostris · Psittaculus · Psittacus · Psitteuteles · Psittinus · Pyrrhura · Rhynchopsitta · Sittace · Strigops · Tanygnathus · Thectocercus · Touit · Trichoglossus · Triclaria · Vini
- Species: ZipcodeZoo has pages for 816 species and subspecies in the Family Psittacidae.
Genera
Agapornis
Lovebird is the commonly used name for any of the nine species of the Agapornis (Greek: a??p? agape 'love'; ????? ornis 'bird'). They are a social and affectionate small parrot. Eight species are native to the African continent while the Grey-headed Lovebird is native to Madagascar. [more]
Alisterus
The king parrots are three species of medium-sized in the genus Alisterus; the Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis), the Papuan King Parrot (Alisterus chloropterus), and the Moluccan King Parrot (Alisterus amboinensis). The three species are found in Eastern Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesian islands including the Maluku islands respectively. Predominantly of red and green plumage, the long tailed parrots are related to the genera Aprosmictus and Polytelis. [more]
Amazona
Amazon parrot is the common name for a parrot of the Amazona. These are medium-size parrots native to the New World ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean. [more]
Amazonesia
Amoropsittaca
Andorhynchus
Androglossa
Anodorhynchus
Anodorhynchus is a genus of large . It contains three species, and, in addition, a hypothetical extinct species extinct has been postulated based on very little evidence. At about 100 cm (39 in) in length the Hyacinth Macaw is the longest parrot in the world. [more]
Aprosmictus
Aprosmictus is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. Several former members, including the Australian King Parrot are now placed in the genus Alisterus. [more]
Ara
ARA may refer to: [more]
Arara
Aratinga
Aratinga is a of American parakeets. They belong to the long-tailed group and are among the genera often called conures in aviculture. Most are predominantly green, although a few are predominantly yellow or orange. They are social and commonly seen in groups in the wild. In Brazil the popular name of several species usually is Jandaia, sometimes written as Jandaya in the scientific form. [more]
Barnardius
The Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius) is a native to Australia. Except for extreme tropical and highland areas, the species has adapted to all conditions. Traditionally, two species were recognised in the genus Barnardius, the Port Lincoln Parrot (Barnardius zonarius) and the Mallee Ringneck (Barnardius barnardi), but the two species readily interbred at the contact zone and are now considered one species. Currently, four subspecies are recognised, each with a distinct range. [more]
Bolborhynchus
A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]
Brotogeris
Brotogeris is a genus of small endemic to Central and South America. They eat seeds and fruit. [more]
Brotogerys
Cacatoes
Cacatua
Cacatua is a of cockatoos found from the Philippines and Wallacea east to the Solomon Islands and south to Australia. They have a primarily white plumage (in some species tinged pinkish or yellow), an expressive crest, and a black (subgenus Cacatua) or pale (subgenus Licmetis) bill. Today several species from this genus are considered threatened due to a combination of habitat loss and capture for the wild bird trade, with the Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Moluccan Cockatoo and Umbrella Cockatoo considered Vulnerable, the Red-vented Cockatoo considered Endangered, and the Yellow-crested Cockatoo considered Critically Endangered. [more]
Callocephalon
The Gang-gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum, is found in the cooler and wetter forests and woodlands of , particularly alpine bushland. Mostly mild grey in color with some lighter scalloping (more pronounced and buffish in females) the male has a red head and crest, while the female has a small fluffy grey crest. It ranges throughout south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. The Gang-gang Cockatoo is the faunal emblem of the Australian Capital Territory. It is easily identified by its distinctive call, which is described as resembling a creaky gate, or the sound of a cork being pulled from a wine bottle. [more]
Calopsitta
Calyptorhynchus
Described by French naturalist in 1826, the genus Calyptorhynchus has five species. They are all mostly black in color, and the taxa may be differentiated partly by size and partly by small areas of red, grey and yellow plumage especially in the tail feathers. It is the largest genus of the "dark cockatoo" subfamily Calyptorhynchinae which now is recognized to contain also the other sexually dichromatic species, the Gang-gang Cockatoo and probably the cockatiel which despite its unique appearance may actually be the closest living relative of Calyptorhynchus (Brown & Toft, 1999, but see Astuti, 2004?). Two subgenera (Calyptorhynchus and Zanda) are recognized based on the coloration of the species, and presence of sexual dimorphism: [more]
Chalcopsitta
Chalcopsitta is a genus of in the family Psittacidae and the subfamily Loriinae. All four species are found on the islands of and around New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The name Chalcopsitta is derived from the Greek khalkos meaning bronze and psitta for parrot. [more]
Chalcopsittacus
Charmosyna
Charmosyna is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. It contains the following species: [more]
Chrysotis
Conuropsis
The Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) was the only species native to the eastern United States. It was found from the Ohio Valley to the Gulf of Mexico, and lived in old forests along rivers. It was the only species at the time classified in the genus Conuropsis. It was called puzzi la née ("head of yellow") or pot pot chee by the Seminole and kelinky in Chikasha (Snyder & Russell, 2002). [more]
Conurus
Coracopis
Coracopsis
Cyanoliseus
The Burrowing Parakeet (Cyanoliseus patagonus) also known as the Patagonian Conure is a species of in the Psittacidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Cyanoliseus. It is mainly found in Argentina. A very much reduced population still survives in Chile, and migration of some Argentine populations to Uruguay has been reported for the winter months. Sometimes strong westerly winds bring some individuals as far as the Falkland Islands. [more]
Cyanoramphus
Cyanoramphus is a genus of native to New Zealand and islands of the southern Pacific Ocean. The New Zealand forms are often referred to as kakariki. They are small to medium sized parakeets with long tails and predominately green plumage. Most species are forest species, although several of the subantarctic species live in open grassland. The genus formerly had a disjunct distribution, with two species found in the Society Islands and the majority of the genus ranging from New Caledonia to Macquarie Island, but absent from the 4100 km in between. Despite many fossil birds being found in the islands between these two areas being found none of these were of undescribed Cyanoramphus species. [more]
Cyanorhamphus
Cyclopsitta
Cyclopsitta is a genus of in the Psittacidae family found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and tropical Australia. It contains the following species: [more]
Cyclopsittacus
Eclectus
The genus Eclectus consists of two species, the extant Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) and the extinct Oceanic Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus infectus). [more]
Enicognathus
Enicognathus is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. [more]
Eolophus
The Galah , Eolophus roseicapilla, also known as the Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Galah Cockatoo, Roseate Cockatoo or Pink and Grey, is one of the most common and widespread , and it can be found in open country in almost all parts of mainland Australia. [more]
Eos
A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]
Eunymphicus
Eunymphicus is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. The genus is endemic to New Caledonia and the surrounding islands, and is closely related to the Cyanoramphus parakeets of Oceania. It contains the following species: [more]
Eupsittula
Forpus
Forpus is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. [more]
Geoffroyus
Geoffroyus is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. It contains the following species: [more]
Geopsittacus
The Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is a small endemic to the continent of Australia. The species was originally placed within its own genus (Geopsittacus), but most authors now prefer to place it within the genus Pezoporus together with the Ground Parrot. The well-known budgerigar is a not-too-distant relative of these birds. [more]
Glossopsitta
Glossopsitta is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. They are native to Australia, and the Little Lorikeet is also native in Tasmania although it is uncommon there. [more]
Guarouba
A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]
Gypopsitta
Pyrilia is a of parrots in the family Psittacidae. It was recently split from Pionopsitta, and then briefly moved to Gypopsitta, but as Pyrilia was published a few months before Gypopsitta, the latter is a junior synonym. All are relatively short-tailed parrots that are restricted to forests in the Neotropics. Their head or face contrasts clearly with the mainly green body, and they have a brownish or olive patch on the chest. [more]
Hypocharmosyna
Kakatoe
Lophopsittacus
The Broad-billed Parrot (Lophopsittacus mauritianus) was a endemic to the island of Mauritius that became extinct. [more]
Loriculus
The hanging parrots are birds in the genus Loriculus . This is a group of small parrots from tropical southern Asia. [more]
Lorius
Lorius is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. [more]
Mascarinus
Melopsitacus
Micropsitta
Pygmy parrots are the smallest members of the family. There are six species of pygmy parrot; all in the genus Micropsitta, which is the only genus in the Micropsittini tribe. [more]
Myiopsitta
The Monk Parakeet, also known as the Quaker Parrot, (Myiopsitta monachus) is a of parrot, in most treatments the only member of the genus Myiopsitta. It originates from the temperate to subtropical areas of Argentina and the surrounding countries in South America. Self-sustaining feral populations occur in many places, mainly in North America and Europe. [more]
Myiopsittacus
Necropsittacus
Nendayus
Neophema
The Neophema is an Australian genus of broad-tailed parrots with six or seven species. They are small parakeets with a more or less dull green basic color with some contrasting colorful patches, and are commonly known as grass parrots. The genus has some sexual dichromatism, males having more and brighter color patches. [more]
Neopsittacus
Neopsittacus is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. It contains two species, which are both native to Indonesia and New Guinea. [more]
Nestor
Northiella
The Blue Bonnet (Northiella haematogaster) is an parrot, the only member of the genus Northiella. Its habitat includes open woodland, scrub, riverine forest, spinifex, and farmlands in the eastern half of the continent, with a smaller race being found in the Western Australian Nullarbor region. [more]
Nymphicus
The Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the Quarrion and the Weiro, is the smallest and genuinely miniature endemic to Australia. They are prized as a household pet and companion parrot throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed. As a caged bird Cockatiels are second only in popularity to the Budgerigar. [more]
Opopsitta
Oreopsittacus
The Plum-faced Lorikeet (Oreopsittacus arfaki), also known as the Whiskered Lorikeet, is a species of in the Psittacidae family. It is the only member of the genus Oreopsittacus. It is found in highland forest on New Guinea. [more]
Palaeornis
Ornithocheirus (from Greek "?????", meaning bird, and "?e??", meaning hand) was a from the early Cretaceous period of Europe and South America. Based on poor fossil material, the genus has caused enduring problems of zoological nomenclature [more]
Pezoporus
The genus Pezoporus contains two species: the Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) and the Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus). The former species was previously separated in a distinct genus, Geopsittacus. It is considered a part of the tribe Platycercini or, if this is considered a subfamily, the monotypic tribe Pezoporini. Its closest relatives are some other small broad-tailed parrots of the genus Neophema, and perhaps the Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), and modern research suggests that the genus should not be considered a tribe of its own but included with these, if the broad-tailed parrots are raised to subfamily status (Christidis et al., 1991; Leeton et al., 1994). [more]
Pionias
Pionites
Pionopsitta
The Pileated Parrot (Pionopsitta pileata), also known as the Red-capped Parrot (leading to easy confusion with the Australia ), is a medium-small species of parrot with a total length of about 22 cm (8½ in). It is found in or near Atlantic Forest in south-eastern Brazil, far north-eastern Argentina, and eastern Paraguay. A local name in Paraguayan Guaraní is Cúiu Cúiu. [more]
Pionus
Pionus is a of medium-sized parrots native to Mexico, and Central and South America. Characteristic of the genus are the chunky body, bare eye ring (which can vary in color), and short square tail. They are superficially similar to Amazon parrots, but smaller and in flight their wing-strokes are far deeper. Coloration is generally subdued yet complex; under bright lighting, their feathers shimmer with iridescent brilliance. All species share bright red undertail coverts; the scientific name of one species, the Blue-headed Parrot (P. menstruus), refers to this. Males and females are similar, with no notable sexual dimorphism. [more]
Platycercus
A rosella is one of 5-8 of colorful Australian parrots in the genus Platycercus. Platycercus means "broad-" or "flat-tailed", reflecting a feature common to the rosellas and other members of the broad-tailed parrot tribe. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and fruit. [more]
Platycerus
Poeocephalus
Poicephalus
The Poicephalus comprises nine species of parrots native to various regions of the Afrotropic ecozone, including Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal in the west, Ethiopia in the east, and to Cape Horn in the south. Several of the species exist in slightly different forms (or subspecies). [more]
Polytelis
The genus Polytelis (literally translates into 'magnificent') of the family consists of three species long-tailed parrot endemic to Australia. Traditionally, it was included in the Australian Broad-tailed parrots (tribe Platycercini), but molecular studies place the genus within the Asian parakeets and relatives. [more]
Prioniturus
The genus Prioniturus contains nine species found in the Philippines and Indonesia. They are easily distinguished from all other parrots by their elongated central tail feathers with the bare shaft and spatula at the end. [more]
Probosciger
The Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), also known as the Goliath Cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black of the cockatoo family. It is the only member in subfamily Microglossinae and the only member of the monotypic genus, Probosciger. Its unique position within the cockatoo family has been confirmed by molecular studies (Brown & Toft, 1999, Astuti, 2004?). [more]
Propyrrhura
Prosopeia
The shining-parrots, Prosopeia, are a genus of (family Psittacidae). The genus is endemic to the islands of Fiji, although one species, the Red Shining-parrot, has been introduced to Tonga. The three species are also sometimes known as musk parrots. The shining-parrots have long tails, a languid crow-like flight and very bright plumage. It contains the following species: [more]
Psephotus
The genus Psephotus has five species of from Australia. All species show considerable sexual dimorphism. [more]
Pseudeos
The Dusky Lory (Pseudeos fuscata) is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family, and the only species of the genus Pseudeos. Alternative common names are the White-rumped Lory or the Dusky-orange Lory. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. [more]
Psilopsiagon
Psilopsiagon is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. [more]
Psittacara
Psittacella
Psittacella is a genus of in the Psittacidae family, all of which are endemic to the island of New Guinea. It contains the following species: [more]
Psittacopes
Psittacula
Members of the genus Psittacula or Afro-Asian Ringnecked parakeets as they are commonly known in aviculture originates found from Africa to South-East Asia. It is a widespread group, with a clear concentration of species in south Asia, but also with representatives in Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean. This is the only genus of Parrot which has majority of its species in continental Asia. Of all the extant species only Psittacula calthropae, Psittacula caniceps and Psittacula echo do not have a representative subspecies in any part of mainland continental Asia. The Rose-ringed Parakeet, Psittacula krameri, is one of the most widely distributed of all parrots. [more]
Psittaculirostris
Psittaculirostris is a genus of in the Psittacidae family found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It contains the following species: [more]
Psittaculus
Psittacus
The African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is a medium-sized endemic to primary and secondary rainforest of West and Central Africa. Experts regard it as one of the most intelligent birds. They feed primarily on palm nuts, seeds, fruits, leafy matter, and have even been observed eating snails. Their overall gentle nature and their inclination and ability to mimic speech have made them popular pets. This has led many to be captured from the wild and sold into the pet trade. The African Grey Parrot is listed on CITES appendix II, which restricts trade of wild caught species, because wild populations can not sustain trapping for the pet trade. [more]
Psitteuteles
Psitteuteles is a genus of in the Psittacidae family. [more]
Psittinus
The Blue-rumped Parrot, Psittinus cyanurus, is a found in the very southern tip of Myanmar, peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and nearby islands. It is a small parrot (18 cm) and is primarily green with bright red underwing coverts, a reddish shoulder patch, and yellowish margins on the wing coverts. It is sexually dimorphic. The female has a grey-brown head. The male has a black mantle, red upper mandible, and blue head and rump. [more]
Pyrrhura
Pyrrhura is a of parrots in the Arini tribe. They occur in tropical and subtropical South America and southern Central America (Panama and Costa Rica). Most are restricted to humid forest and adjacent habitats, but one species, the Blaze-winged Parakeet, prefers deciduous or gallery woodland, and another, the Pfrimer's Parakeet, is restricted to dry regions. Some species are highly endangered. [more]
Rhynchopsitta
The thick-billed parrots are members of the genus Rhynchopsitta. The genus comprises two living species, the Thick-billed Parrot and the Maroon-fronted Parrot, as well as an extinct species from the Late Pleistocene in Mexico. The two extant taxa were formerly considered conspecific; they have become rare and are restricted to a few small areas in northern Mexico. The range of the Thick-billed Parrot formerly extended into the southwestern United States; attempts at reintroduction have been unsuccessful so far. [more]
Sittace
A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]
Strigops
The Kakapo (: kakapo, meaning night parrot), Strigops habroptila (Gray, 1845), also called owl parrot, is a species of nocturnal parrot endemic to New Zealand. It has finely blotched yellow-green plumage, a distinct facial disc of sensory, vibrissa-like feathers, a large grey beak, short legs, large feet, and wings and a tail of relatively short length. A certain combination of traits makes it unique among its kind—it is the world's only flightless parrot, the heaviest parrot, nocturnal, herbivorous, visibly sexually dimorphic in body size, has a low basal metabolic rate, no male parental care, and is the only parrot to have a polygynous lek breeding system. It is also possibly one of the world's longest-living birds. Its anatomy typifies the tendency of bird evolution on oceanic islands with few predators and abundant food: accretion of thermodynamic efficiency at the expense of flight abilities, reduced wing muscles, a diminished keel on the sternum, and a generally robust physique. [more]
Tanygnathus
Tanygnathus is a genus of of the Psittaculini tribe. [more]
Thectocercus
Touit
Touit is a genus of parrots in the Psittacidae family. [more]
Trichoglossus
Trichoglossus is a genus of in the Psittacidae or true parrot family. The genus is distributed widely through Australia, Wallacea and Melanesia, with outliers in the Philippines and Micronesia. Members of the genus are characterised by barring, sometimes prominently, on the upper breast. [more]
Triclaria
The Blue-bellied Parrot or Purple-bellied Parrot (Triclaria malachitacea) is the only in its genus. It is generally considered endemic to the humid Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, but there are two unconfirmed records from Misiones in Argentina. It occurs up to 1000 m. (3300 ft). [more]
Vini
Vini is a of birds endemic to the islands of the tropical Pacific. They are five extant species of these small lorikeets ranging from eastern Fiji through Samoa, French Polynesia, and as far east as Henderson Island. All members of the genus have exceptional bright plumage, particularly the unusual all over blues of the Blue Lorikeet and the Ultramarine Lorikeet. The Collared Lory (Phigys solitarius) is sometimes considered to be in this genus. [more]
At least 8 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Vini.
More info about the Genus Vini may be found here.
Sources
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