Parrots are one of the few kinds of birds that can be captured in the wild, taken into a house or aviary, and soon become “one of the family,” even to the extent of joining in the talking. Probably most of you have had some contact with parrots.
Some not only mimic people with words plainly spoken, but also learn how to use them. Some will call for certain foods by name or greet people with a loud “hello” or “good-by”. Some have even been taught to call out the word “want” for something they want, as well as “no” when they don’t want what is being offered to them. However, this takes a lot of patient training, and not all parrots can learn that much.
There are many varieties of parrots, ranging in size all the way from the small brilliantly-colored lorikeets of Australia, about three inches long, to the largest, the hyacinth macaw of Brazil which measures some 40 inches from beak to tail-end. These are colored a solid deep blue, except for yellow eyes and a small yellow band across the neck.
Parrot varieties are found in many parts of the world, including Africa, the Philippines, southern Asia, Australia and the Orient. But the greatest number make their homes in Central and South America, as well as the tropical areas of Mexico and the West Indies. None are natives of North America, although they seem quite content when captured and brought here.
In their homelands they like to nest in holes in dead trees, and with strong beaks and claws will enlarge holes that are not big enough. They usually cover the floors of these nests with small bits of wood or leaves. The burrowing parrot is an exception to the tree-nesting parrots. Large colonies of these dig burrows into cliffs close to one another and can make an awful noise when all are chattering or calling at the same time. Another, the night parrot of Australia, hollows out a nesting spot in the base of a clump of coarse tall grass.
These remarkable birds are included in the opening Bible verse as it talks of wonders of God’s creation without number. He is the One who has provided so great a variety of wonders. They did not “just happen” to be the way they are.
In the following issue we will take a look at some of the individual species of parrots and their distinguishing colors and habits.
(to be continued)
ML-12/15/1991