Parrots, also known as psittacines (), are the 402
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
bird
Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweigh ...
s that make up the
order
Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to:
* Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood
* Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...
Psittaciformes, found in most
tropical
The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in
the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...
and
subtropical
The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...
regions, of which 387 are
extant
Extant is the opposite of the word extinct. It may refer to:
* Extant hereditary titles
* Extant literature, surviving literature, such as ''Beowulf'', the oldest extant manuscript written in English
* Extant taxon, a taxon which is not extinct, ...
. The order is subdivided into three superfamilies: the
Psittacoidea
The true parrots are about 350 species of hook-billed, mostly herbivorous birds forming the superfamily Psittacoidea, one of the three superfamilies in the biological order Psittaciformes (parrots). True parrots are widespread, with species in ...
("true" parrots), the
Cacatuoidea
A cockatoo is any of the 21 parrot species belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea (true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the orde ...
(cockatoos), and the
Strigopoidea
The New Zealand parrot family, Strigopidae,Nestoridae and Strigopidae are described in the same article, Bonaparte, C.L. (1849) ''Conspectus Systematis Ornithologiae''. Therefore, under rules of the ICZN, the first reviser determines priority, ...
(New Zealand parrots). Parrots have a generally
pantropical
A pantropical ("all tropics") distribution is one which covers Tropics, tropical regions of both hemispheres. Examples of species include caecilians, modern sirenians and the plant genera ''Acacia'' and ''Bacopa''.
''Neotropical'' is a zoogeogra ...
distribution with several species inhabiting
temperate
In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...
South America
South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...
and
Australasia
Australasia is a region that comprises Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term is used in a number of different contexts, including geopolitically, physiogeographically, philologically, and ecologica ...
.
The Cacatuoidea are quite distinct, having a movable head crest, a different arrangement of the
carotid
In anatomy, the left and right common carotid arteries (carotids) (Entry "carotid" in gall bladder, differences in the skull bones, and lack the
Dyck texture
Feathers are epidermal growths that form a distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on both avian (bird) and some non-avian dinosaurs and other archosaurs. They are the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates and a premier ...
feathers that—in the Psittacoidea—scatter light to produce the vibrant colours of so many parrots.Lorikeets were previously regarded as a family, Loriidae, but are now considered a tribe (
Loriini
Loriini is a tribe (biology), tribe of small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar of various blossoms and soft fruits, preferably berries. The species form a monophyletic ...
) within the subfamily
Loriinae
Loriinae is a subfamily of psittacine birds, one of the five subfamilies that make up the family Psittaculidae. It consists of three tribes, the lories and lorikeets ( Loriini), the budgerigar ( Melopsittacini) and the fig parrots (Cyclopsittini ...
, family Psittaculidae. Some species, such as the
Puerto Rican amazon
The Puerto Rican amazon (''Amazona vittata''), also known as the Puerto Rican parrot (Puerto Rican Spanish: ''cotorra puertorriqueña'') or ''iguaca'', is the only extant parrot endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico, and belongs to the Neo ...
(''Amazona vittata'') have had a
population bottleneck
A population bottleneck or genetic bottleneck is a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events such as famines, earthquakes, floods, fires, disease, and droughts; or human activities such as specicide, widespread violen ...
(in this case reduced to 13 individuals in 1975) and subsequently have low genetic variability and low reproductive success, leading to complications with conservation.
No consensus existed regarding the taxonomy of Psittaciformes until recently. The placement of the Strigopoidea species has been variable in the past. They were once considered part of the Psittacoidea, but recent 21st-century studies place this group of New Zealand species as their own superfamily next to the Cacatuoidea and remaining members of the Psittacoidea. Many studies have confirmed the unique placement of this group at the base of the parrot tree. Most authors now recognize this group as a separate taxon containing two families: Nestoridae and Strigopidae. Conversely, the relationships among various cockatoo genera are largely resolved.
Conventions
Conservation status codes listed follow the
International Union for Conservation of Nature
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...
(IUCN)
Red List of Threatened Species
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biologi ...
. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the bird's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN red list for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species listed went extinct after 1500 CE ( recently extinct), and are indicated by a
dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a very sharp point and usually two sharp edges, typically designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon.State v. Martin, 633 S.W.2d 80 (Mo. 1982): This is the dictionary or popular-use de ...
symbol "†".
Classification
The order Psittaciformes consists of 387 extant species belonging to 87 genera. The following classification is based on the most recent proposals as of 2012.
Superfamily
Psittacoidea
The true parrots are about 350 species of hook-billed, mostly herbivorous birds forming the superfamily Psittacoidea, one of the three superfamilies in the biological order Psittaciformes (parrots). True parrots are widespread, with species in ...
Psittaculidae
Psittaculidae is a family containing Old World parrots. It consists of five subfamilies: Agapornithinae, Loriinae, Platycercinae, Psittacellinae and Psittaculinae.
This family has been accepted into ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World' ...
Pesquet's parrot
Pesquet's parrot (''Psittrichas fulgidus''), also known as the Dracula parrot or as the vulturine parrot (leading to easy confusion with '' Pyrilia vulturina'' from Brazil), is the only member of its genus. It is endemic to hill and montane rai ...
** Subfamily Coracopsinae: one genus with several species
** Subfamily
Platycercinae
Platycercinae is a subfamily of birds belonging to the family Psittaculidae that inhabit Oceania. It consists of two tribes, the ground parrots and allies ( Pezoporini) and the many species of broad-tailed parrot ( Platycercini).
Genera
Tribe P ...
*** Tribe
Pezoporini
The tribe Pezoporini is the sister clade of the tribe Platycercini that contains the broad-tailed parrots.
Taxonomy
The inclusion of the following taxon is based on the paper by Joseph ''et al.'' (2012).
* Genus ''Neophema''
** Blue-winged parr ...
Psittacellinae
Tiger parrots are members of the genus ''Psittacella'' (the only genus in the subfamily Psittacellinae) in the family Psittaculidae, named for their tiger-striped backs. Established by Hermann Schlegel in 1871, the genus contains the following s ...
: one genus (''
Psittacella
Tiger parrots are members of the genus ''Psittacella'' (the only genus in the subfamily Psittacellinae) in the family Psittaculidae, named for their tiger-striped backs. Established by Hermann Schlegel in 1871, the genus contains the following s ...
'') with several species
** Subfamily
Loriinae
Loriinae is a subfamily of psittacine birds, one of the five subfamilies that make up the family Psittaculidae. It consists of three tribes, the lories and lorikeets ( Loriini), the budgerigar ( Melopsittacini) and the fig parrots (Cyclopsittini ...
*** Tribe
Loriini
Loriini is a tribe (biology), tribe of small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar of various blossoms and soft fruits, preferably berries. The species form a monophyletic ...
Agapornithinae
Agapornithinae is a subfamily of psittacine birds, one of the five subfamilies that make up the family Psittaculidae.Leo Joseph, Alicia Toon, Erin E. Schirtzinger, Timothy F. Wright, Richard Schodde. 2012. A revised nomenclature and classificati ...
: three genera
** Subfamily
Psittaculinae
The parrot subfamily Psittaculinae consists of three tribes: the Polytelini with three genera, the Psittaculini or Asian psittacines, and the pygmy parrots of the Micropsittini tribe.Joseph L., Alicia Toon, Erin E. Schirtzinger, Timothy F. Wrig ...
*** Tribe
Polytelini
The Polytelini tribe belongs to the parrot family Psittaculidae and consists of three genera.Joseph L., Alicia Toon, Erin E. Schirtzinger, Timothy F. Wright, Richard SchoddeA revised nomenclature and classification for family-group taxa of parrot ...
: three genera
*** Tribe
Psittaculini
Psittaculini is a tribe of parrots of the family Psittaculidae. The subdivisions within the tribe are controversial.
Tribe Psittaculini
* Genus ''Psittinus''
** Blue-rumped parrot, ''Psittinus cyanurus''
** Simeulue parrot, ''Psittinus abbotti ...
pygmy parrot
Pygmy parrots are the smallest members of the parrot order. The six species of pygmy parrots are all in the genus ''Micropsitta'', which is the only genus in the Micropsittini tribe.
Pygmy parrots are native to the forests of New Guinea and near ...
s
Superfamily
Cacatuoidea
A cockatoo is any of the 21 parrot species belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea (true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the orde ...
: cockatoos
* Family Cacatuidae
** Subfamily Nymphicinae: one genus with one species, the
cockatiel
The cockatiel (; ''Nymphicus hollandicus''), also known as weiro (also spelt weero), or quarrion, is a medium-sized parrot that is a member of its own branch of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia. They are prized as household pets and comp ...
Cacatuinae
The subfamily Cacatuinae consists of two tribes, the Microglossini with one species (palm cockatoo) and the Cacatuini
The tribe Cacatuini consists of four whitish, pinkish or greyish genera:
References
Bird tribes
Cacatuinae
{{pa ...
*** Tribe
Microglossini
The palm cockatoo (''Probosciger aterrimus''), also known as the goliath cockatoo or great black cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black parrot of the cockatoo family native to New Guinea, Aru Islands, and Cape York Peninsula. It has a very l ...
: one genus with one species, the black
palm cockatoo
The palm cockatoo (''Probosciger aterrimus''), also known as the goliath cockatoo or great black cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black parrot of the cockatoo family native to New Guinea, Aru Islands, and Cape York Peninsula. It has a very l ...
*** Tribe
Cacatuini
The tribe Cacatuini consists of four whitish, pinkish or greyish genera:
References
Bird tribes
Cacatuinae
{{parrot-stub ...
: four genera of white, pink, and grey species
Superfamily
Strigopoidea
The New Zealand parrot family, Strigopidae,Nestoridae and Strigopidae are described in the same article, Bonaparte, C.L. (1849) ''Conspectus Systematis Ornithologiae''. Therefore, under rules of the ICZN, the first reviser determines priority, ...
: New Zealand parrots
* Family
Nestoridae
The New Zealand parrot family, Strigopidae,Nestoridae and Strigopidae are described in the same article, Bonaparte, C.L. (1849) ''Conspectus Systematis Ornithologiae''. Therefore, under rules of the ICZN, the first reviser determines priority, w ...
: two genera with two living (
kea
The kea (; ; ''Nestor notabilis'') is a species of large parrot in the family Nestoridae found in the forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. About long, it is mostly olive-green with a brilliant orange under its wings ...
and
New Zealand kaka
New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created.
New or NEW may refer to:
Music
* New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz
Albums and EPs
* ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013
* ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
) and several extinct species of the New Zealand region
* Family Strigopidae: the flightless, critically endangered kakapo of New Zealand
List of true parrots
Parrots, also known as psittacines (), are the 402 species of birds that make up the order (biology), order Psittaciformes, found in most tropics, tropical and subtropics, subtropical regions, of which 387 are extant taxon, extant. The order is sub ...
*
List of macaws
The list of macaws includes 19 species of macaws including extinct and critically endangered species, and does not include several hypothetical extinct species that have been proposed based on very little evidence.
Species in taxonomic order
'' ...
*
List of amazon parrots
The amazon parrots are 35 species of parrots that comprise the genus ''Amazona''. They are native to the New World, ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean. Amazon parrots range in size from medium to large, and have relatively sh ...
eBird – Enter the name of a parrot species to find detailed information about their current range as well as sightings across the world IOC World Bird List – A comprehensive list of parrots with up-to-date information on taxonomy, including
synonyms
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...
and
authority
In the fields of sociology and political science, authority is the legitimate power of a person or group over other people. In a civil state, ''authority'' is practiced in ways such a judicial branch or an executive branch of government.''The N ...