PARROT
Though a number of birds like, Sparrow, Pigeon, Pea-cock are
people’s delight, Parrots enjoy a place of pride in human minds. The bird’s
moderate size, pleasant call, typical green feathers, cute curved beak reddish
in colour and perfect round eyes and a black ring at the base of the near
globose head and a flat top make a grand sight of the bird, besides a fair tail
and an elegant lateral walk. None can
dislike the bird, leave alone hating it!
Most parrots feed on seeds, fruits, nuts and similar plant
products. Some select species of parrot are known to feed on floral nectar /
soft buds of plants. With very few exceptions, most of them nest in tree
hollows [holes] or shallow cavities on brick walls or nest boxes when in
captivity. Some reports suggest that about 50% of parrot population is held
under captivity. A major reason for parrot trade relies on the unique ability
of parrots to ‘imitate’ human voice with some training. People are attracted by
the ‘speech ability’ of parrots and choose to domesticate them though by
keeping them in cages – a sure ‘arresting’ of
bird.
Parrots are said to show ’Tripedalism’ – a capacity of using
three body parts like feet, neck and beak, as limbs for climbing.
With some minor exceptions, most parrots are monogamous [the
same pair of male/ female breed as a set]. The parental pair raises the young
ones.
INTELLIGENCE / LEARNING
Some Grey parrots are known to ‘speak’ words; also know meaning
for some words and form sentences. Beside the language ability, some kind of
parrots [Kea] can handle tools and solve puzzles.
Among parrots, learning appears to be a social activity in
the young age. Young ones learn in a group and from parents –the habit of
locating and collecting food. Food-hunting training seems to last for a long
time. Among parrots in the course of learning -2 categories arise—generalists
and specialists. The latter have specific abilities. Young birds get trained
for flight -- play flight /wild flight and for predator evasion [escaping from
larger enemies like Eagle].
IMITATION OF SOUND and SPEECH
Most parrots are known to imitate human speech and also sound
of other birds. In this faculty, Grey parrots rank first. A study by Irene
Pepperberg – a bird scientist, suggested very high learning ability of 2
members [Grey parrots], Alex and N’ksi. Alex could identify objects, count
them, describe them and would answer intricate questions like how many red
squares, with an accuracy of over 80%.
The other bird N’ksi, is said to have had a vocabulary of
1000 words; had the ability to invent right words for the correct tense.
Parrots have no vocal cords; they generate sound by
manipulating the wind pipe [trachea] opening. Why they imitate sounds is not
known yet.
Parrots are temperamental. They need to feel ‘being cared’;
lest should revert to aggressive /attacking behaviour. Maintaining them
involves systematic spending of time and money to keep the ‘home happy’ for the
bird and its owner.
Prof. K. Raman
Parrot in zoological term is referred to as Psittacula sp.Only smaller species of parrots are called love birds though all varieties of parrots are lovable.Peculiar character in parrot is the presence of zygodactyle limbs.They have two toes facing forward and two facing backward. Their short curved beak have the ability to break nuts.
ReplyDeleteK.Venkataraman
Very informative and interesting article. Being a birdwatcher, I loved reading this article. Thanks very much.
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