11 Amazing Parrot Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]

parrot birds information for kids

There is hardly anyone who has not seen a parrot. According to statistics, in America, parrots are the thirds favorite pet for families to adopt after dogs and cats. This is not even a surprise as parrots are one of the most fascinating birds to be around.

With a high intelligence level, long life, and affectionate nature, these birds can be great companions and very entertaining to be around. Does your little one want to get a parrot as the new pet? In that case, you ought to know some interesting facts about this diverse group of fascinating birds.

Not to worry. We have made a list of the 11 amazing parrot facts for kids that will definitely teach you and your little one a thing or two about parrots.

11 Most Interesting & Fun Facts about Parrots for Kids

I am fairly certain that most of us were fascinated with parrots because of their amazing ability to mimic any sound and pick up human speech. I remember when I first saw a talking parrot and was completely surprised by it.

They have lovable and cheeky personalities, not to mention that they come in a variety of bright colors that look absolutely stunning. With that little introduction, let us dive right into the interesting facts about these birds.

1. There are around 393 species of parrots

Yes, you read that correctly. There are indeed 393 different species of these lovable and colorful birds and they all share the cheeky personality part.

Parrots are found all over the globe in tropical and sub-tropical areas, so it is natural that there will be various variations of these birds. For example, there are three distinct categories of parrots.

Psittacoidea, which consists of the true parrots are probably the most common ones. Then, we have Cacatuoidea, which consists of all the different cockatoos and lastly, the Strigopoidea, which are parrots found in New Zealand.

2. They often eat with their feet

Usually, when it comes to birds, they use their beaks to eat their food. However, that is not the case with the parrots. They use their feet like humans use hands.

These birds are often seen holding a fruit with one foot while they bite into it. Essentially, it acts as the fingers of a human hand. Isn’t that amazing?

3. Parrots are extremely intelligent creatures

A high level of intelligence is something that is shared by all the members of the parrot family. Like the macaws, cockatoos, and parakeets, these birds can grasp certain human phrases and learn tricks as well.

Not only those, but these birds are also capable of doing basic addition and subtraction and also understand the meaning of zero. Parrots can also associate certain actions with certain words. For example, it will soon pick up that ‘hello’ needs to be said if someone walks into the room.

Lastly, they can mimic any sound they hear.

In case you want to learn more about the other members of the parrot family, you can check out the following articles.

4. Parrots mate for life

Most members of the parrot family practice monogamy, this means that once they find their mate; that is it for them. They will be with their mates for the rest of their lives.

This is why we often spot the parrots in pairs. The couples love spending time together even outside the breeding season. They develop very strong bonds with their partners and it has been seen that when one mate passes away, the other does not even look for a new mate.

5. Both parents take turns during the incubation period

During the breeding season, parrots can lay between 2 to 8 eggs. These eggs are looked after by both the male and the female who take turns to keep the eggs warm. Usually, incubation can last anywhere between 18 to 30 days.

The chicks start developing feathers by the third week. Depending on the species of parrots, they can reach adulthood between 1 to 4 years.

6. There is a band whose lead vocalist is a parrot!

Alright. Now brace yourself to be really shocked. And yes, you did read that right. There is a band, whose lead singer is a parrot!

There is a death metal band called Hatebeak from Maryland and its lead singer is a Grey parrot called Waldo! When Waldo does not feel like performing, the bandmates manage to calm him down by using his favorite food- dried bananas. You should look up this unusual band!

7. There is a high chance that parrots can outlive humans

Parrots generally live up to 60 years in the wild. That can go up to 80 to 100 years in captivity. This is mainly because, many of them are pretty big in size and thus, have very few, if not any natural predators.

So, there is a chance that your pet parrot will outlive you!

8. Parrots are omnivorous birds

When it comes to the diet of parrots, it is pretty varied and versatile. This is because these birds are omnivores. This means that they eat both plant based foods and meat.

They love eating fruits, vegetables, berries, seeds, and nuts with the same enthusiasm as they would eat meat. In fact, for these birds, the more colors on their plate, the better.

9. Parrots are very affectionate birds and love attention

Parrots are very affectionate birds and can demand a lot of attention from their owners. They live to snuggle up and cuddle with their human companions and can form very strong bonds with them. They are very social animals and love to interact.

It has been seen that when parrots feel they are not getting enough attention, they can become very nervous can be seen pacing around in the cage. Also, they tend to demonstrate destructive behaviors like plucking and tearing off their own feathers.

10. There is only one type of parrot that cannot fly

Considering that there are so many species of parrots, it should not be a surprise if one of them is unable to fly.

The Kakapo parrot is the largest parrot and can weigh up to 9 pounds and grow over 2 feet in length. These parrots are also extremely rare and it is believed that there are only 142 of these remaining in the world.

They are also the only species of parrots that are nocturnal as it is easier to escape prey during the night. These parrots are very well adept at hopping and jumping very high.

11. A group of parrots is called a pandemonium

A little grammar lesson here. A group of parrots is called a pandemonium. This is quite a fitting name for a group of parrots.

This is because, the word pandemonium, in English, means ‘noisy and wild.’ And we already know how much parrots love to interact and chat with each other.

Different Kinds of Parrots

We have already stated in the first fact that there are about 393 different species of parrots. These include the regular green parrots, the macaws, scarlet macaws, cockatoos, parakeets, rainbow lorikeets, budgies, and many more.

We have made a list of the different kinds of parrots, although it does not contain all 393 of them. Take a look-

  • African Grey Parrot
  • Amazon Parrot
  • Caiques
  • Cockatiels
  • Cockatoos
  • Conures
  • Eclectus Parrot
  • Hawk Headed Parrot
  • Lorikeets and Lories
  • Lovebirds
  • Macaws
  • Parakeets
  • Parrotlets
  • Pionus Parrot
  • Poicephalus

Parrots Facts for Kids Video

If you like to consume information in video format, you can watch this video:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are parrots intelligent?

Yes, parrots are extremely intelligent birds and can do basic maths, learn basic phrases and other tricks.

Are parrots more intelligent than dogs?

Yes, it has been proved that parrots are indeed more intelligent than dogs.

What is the most expensive parrot?

The most expensive parrot is the Hyacinth Macaw, a jet-blue parrot, and costs around $ 40,000.

What is the scientific name of parrots?

The scientific name of parrots is Psittaciformes.

What do parrots eat in the wild?

Parrots are omnivores and can eat any fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, berries or meat from smaller animals in the wild.

Does parrot eat chilies?

Yes, parrots eat chilies. The seeds of the chilies are a healthy treat for the parrots.

Where do parrots live?

Parrots live in warm tropical areas and they tend to nest in holes and burrows. Burrows are usually used by the Kakapo parrots that are unable to fly and choose to be on the ground.

Where do parrots come from?

Originally, most of the parrots came from Australia and South America. However, now they are found in all continents with tropical and subtropical weather.

When does a baby parrot start talking?

Depending on the individual parrot, it may start talking at the age of 3 months to 12 months.

How long do parrots live?

Parrots can live up to the age of 60 years more.

How many toes does a parrot have?

A parrot has 4 toes, two facing front and two facing back.

What is a parrot known for?

Parrots are known for their cheeky personalities, affectionate nature, and ability to mimic sounds.

How fast can a parrot go?

Most parrots can fly at a speed of 40 to 50 miles per hour.

How long can parrots fly without stopping?

A parrot can fly up to 15 miles without stopping.

Do parrots sleep with their eyes open?

No, parrots do not sleep with their eyes open.

Do parrots need complete darkness to sleep?

Yes, like most animals, parrots too, need complete darkness to sleep.

Do parrots like music?

Yes, parrots do like music. Some parrots like classical music and others like pop tunes. They even dance to the beats if they like them by bobbing their heads.

Which parrot is the most intelligent?

The Congo African grey parrot is considered to be the most intelligent parrot.

Do parrots understand human language?

Yes, parrots are capable of learning and understanding basic phrases of human language.

Do parrots get bored?

Yes, parrots can get bored if they do not have a companion, either their own kind or a human one.

Do parrots like water?

Yes, parrots do like water and love to bathe.

What is the rarest type of parrot?

The rarest type of parrot is the Kakapo parrot which is believed to be only 142 in number.

That was it, folks! You have reached the end of the article ’11 Amazing Parrot Facts for Kids.’ Hopefully, you had a great time and got all the required parrot facts and information you need before you choose to buy this bird as a pet. Have a great day!

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