#mitred parakeets

World Parrot Day

World Parrot Day, celebrated on May 31, is a day that celebrates the parrot as a phenomenon. The order Psittaciformes includes 398 species of birds divided into 92 genera. Parrots are mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The order Psittaciformes is subdivided into three superfamilies: the ‘Psittacidae’ also known as the ‘true parrots,’ the ‘cockatoos,’ and the ‘Strigopidea’ which are known as the ‘New Zealand parrots.’ One-third of all parrot species are currently endangered, making them the birds with the highest aggregate extinction risk than any other bird group. Parrots have a pantropical distribution, with several species also living in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Some characteristic features of parrots include strong, curved beaks, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed feet. A large number of parrots are vividly colored, with some being multi-colored. In the visual spectrum, most parrots exhibit little to no sexual dimorphism. They are the most variable-sized bird order, concerning their length.

History of World Parrot Day

The earliest record of a ‘pet parrot’ in the British Isles dates back to 1504 when Henry VIII owned an African Gray Parrot. The Age of Exploration lasted from the early 15th century to the early 17th century, and it was marked by European ships sailing around the world in search of new trading routes. Several animals had been brought back from these trips, for different purposes.

Parrots from India, Africa, and South America were some of the most common imports from these exploration trips. Not only are parrots colorful and easy to domesticate, but they also provided relatively easy transportation on the long, uncomfortable sea voyages back to Europe. Only a few people were aware of the needs of parrots, and this ignorance resulted in the death of many birds in transit. However, parrots did much better than more delicate bird species. The records of birds kept in menageries, the precursor to zoos, private collections of the elite, and artwork of birds from the 16th to 18th centuries list parrots, pheasants, ostriches, and other long-lived and relatively easy-to-keep birds. Most pet parrots are relatively “fresh out” of the wild, as they are only a few generations removed from the wild, and few owners allow parrots the opportunity to express and exhibit their most basic bird instincts, such as flying, flocking, and mate-finding.

World Parrot Day timeline

1000 B.C. First Written Evidence of Parrots

The first written evidence of parrots existing is in 1000 B.C.

500 B.C. Evidence of Talking Parrots

The first evidence of talking parrots is in Persia, in 500 B.C.

1504 Earliest Record of Pet Parrots

The earliest record of pet parrots is in 1504 when Henry VIII gets one during the Age of Exploration.

1800s Budgies are Introduced to England

Budgies are introduced to England.

World Parrot Day FAQs

What is World Parrot Day?

World Parrot Day is a holiday to honor the magnificent bird, and also raise awareness of the endangers it faces.

Can all parrots talk?

Most parrots can talk, and many parrots do, with training, but some parrots may never speak a word simply because of their individuality.

Can parrots fly?

Parrots can fly, except for the Kakapo, which is the largest parrot. However, most pet parrots do not fly much because they aren’t in the wild.

World Parrot Day Activities

Adopt a parrot

Donate to parrot conservation

Share media of your parrot online!

In celebration of World Parrot Day, you can adopt a parrot as a pet. They’re usually fun and talkative.

Donate to a parrot conservation and contribute to efforts to save parrots from extinction. All parrots need a safe environment, whether it's a family home or in the wild.

If you do own a pet parrot, you should share pictures and videos of it using the hashtag #WorldParrotDay. Even if you don’t own a parrot, read about the dangers they are currently facing and make your friends list more aware.

5 Interesting Facts About Parrots

Parrots can live really long

Parrots have strong beaks

The biggest parrot is a Kakapo

One parrot knew 1,700 words

Parrots in the wild, mate for life

Parrots do live very long, with the average lifespan being 35 to 50 years.

Parrots’ beaks are extremely strong and it is said that they can be strong enough to cause harm to a metal cage.

The Kakapo, based in New Zealand, is the biggest parrot, weighing up to nine pounds but being unable to fly.

In 1995, a parrot named “Puck” was in the Guinness World Records for knowing up to 1,700 words.

Parrots out in the wild can keep mating all through their lives.

Why We Love World Parrot Day

Parrots are fun

Parrots are easy to train

Parrots are beautiful

Parrots are very fun birds to keep as pets. If not for any other reason, but for the fact that you can teach them to speak.

Parrots are relatively easy to train. Most of the time they learn by imitation. So ensure that you repeat all the words you want your parrot to learn.

Parrots are beautiful because of their various bright colors. They’re just really aesthetically pleasing as birds go.

World Parrot Day

World Parrot Day, celebrated on May 31, is a day that celebrates the parrot as a phenomenon. The order Psittaciformes includes 398 species of birds divided into 92 genera. Parrots are mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The order Psittaciformes is subdivided into three superfamilies: the ‘Psittacidae’ also known as the ‘true parrots,’ the ‘cockatoos,’ and the ‘Strigopidea’ which are known as the ‘New Zealand parrots.’ One-third of all parrot species are currently endangered, making them the birds with the highest aggregate extinction risk than any other bird group. Parrots have a pantropical distribution, with several species also living in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Some characteristic features of parrots include strong, curved beaks, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed feet. A large number of parrots are vividly colored, with some being multi-colored. In the visual spectrum, most parrots exhibit little to no sexual dimorphism. They are the most variable-sized bird order, concerning their length.

History of World Parrot Day

The earliest record of a ‘pet parrot’ in the British Isles dates back to 1504 when Henry VIII owned an African Gray Parrot. The Age of Exploration lasted from the early 15th century to the early 17th century, and it was marked by European ships sailing around the world in search of new trading routes. Several animals had been brought back from these trips, for different purposes.

Parrots from India, Africa, and South America were some of the most common imports from these exploration trips. Not only are parrots colorful and easy to domesticate, but they also provided relatively easy transportation on the long, uncomfortable sea voyages back to Europe. Only a few people were aware of the needs of parrots, and this ignorance resulted in the death of many birds in transit. However, parrots did much better than more delicate bird species. The records of birds kept in menageries, the precursor to zoos, private collections of the elite, and artwork of birds from the 16th to 18th centuries list parrots, pheasants, ostriches, and other long-lived and relatively easy-to-keep birds. Most pet parrots are relatively “fresh out” of the wild, as they are only a few generations removed from the wild, and few owners allow parrots the opportunity to express and exhibit their most basic bird instincts, such as flying, flocking, and mate-finding.

World Parrot Day timeline

1000 B.C. First Written Evidence of Parrots

The first written evidence of parrots existing is in 1000 B.C.

500 B.C. Evidence of Talking Parrots

The first evidence of talking parrots is in Persia, in 500 B.C.

1504 Earliest Record of Pet Parrots

The earliest record of pet parrots is in 1504 when Henry VIII gets one during the Age of Exploration.

1800s Budgies are Introduced to England

Budgies are introduced to England.

World Parrot Day FAQs

What is World Parrot Day?

World Parrot Day is a holiday to honor the magnificent bird, and also raise awareness of the endangers it faces.

Can all parrots talk?

Most parrots can talk, and many parrots do, with training, but some parrots may never speak a word simply because of their individuality.

Can parrots fly?

Parrots can fly, except for the Kakapo, which is the largest parrot. However, most pet parrots do not fly much because they aren’t in the wild.

World Parrot Day Activities

Adopt a parrot

Donate to parrot conservation

Share media of your parrot online!

In celebration of World Parrot Day, you can adopt a parrot as a pet. They’re usually fun and talkative.

Donate to a parrot conservation and contribute to efforts to save parrots from extinction. All parrots need a safe environment, whether it's a family home or in the wild.

If you do own a pet parrot, you should share pictures and videos of it using the hashtag #WorldParrotDay. Even if you don’t own a parrot, read about the dangers they are currently facing and make your friends list more aware.

5 Interesting Facts About Parrots

Parrots can live really long

Parrots have strong beaks

The biggest parrot is a Kakapo

One parrot knew 1,700 words

Parrots in the wild, mate for life

Parrots do live very long, with the average lifespan being 35 to 50 years.

Parrots’ beaks are extremely strong and it is said that they can be strong enough to cause harm to a metal cage.

The Kakapo, based in New Zealand, is the biggest parrot, weighing up to nine pounds but being unable to fly.

In 1995, a parrot named “Puck” was in the Guinness World Records for knowing up to 1,700 words.

Parrots out in the wild can keep mating all through their lives.

Why We Love World Parrot Day

Parrots are fun

Parrots are easy to train

Parrots are beautiful

Parrots are very fun birds to keep as pets. If not for any other reason, but for the fact that you can teach them to speak.

Parrots are relatively easy to train. Most of the time they learn by imitation. So ensure that you repeat all the words you want your parrot to learn.

Parrots are beautiful because of their various bright colors. They’re just really aesthetically pleasing as birds go.

World Parrot Day

World Parrot Day, celebrated on May 31, is a day that celebrates the parrot as a phenomenon. The order Psittaciformes includes 398 species of birds divided into 92 genera. Parrots are mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The order Psittaciformes is subdivided into three superfamilies: the ‘Psittacidae’ also known as the ‘true parrots,’ the ‘cockatoos,’ and the ‘Strigopidea’ which are known as the ‘New Zealand parrots.’ One-third of all parrot species are currently endangered, making them the birds with the highest aggregate extinction risk than any other bird group. Parrots have a pantropical distribution, with several species also living in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Some characteristic features of parrots include strong, curved beaks, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed feet. A large number of parrots are vividly colored, with some being multi-colored. In the visual spectrum, most parrots exhibit little to no sexual dimorphism. They are the most variable-sized bird order, concerning their length.

History of World Parrot Day

The earliest record of a ‘pet parrot’ in the British Isles dates back to 1504 when Henry VIII owned an African Gray Parrot. The Age of Exploration lasted from the early 15th century to the early 17th century, and it was marked by European ships sailing around the world in search of new trading routes. Several animals had been brought back from these trips, for different purposes.

Parrots from India, Africa, and South America were some of the most common imports from these exploration trips. Not only are parrots colorful and easy to domesticate, but they also provided relatively easy transportation on the long, uncomfortable sea voyages back to Europe. Only a few people were aware of the needs of parrots, and this ignorance resulted in the death of many birds in transit. However, parrots did much better than more delicate bird species. The records of birds kept in menageries, the precursor to zoos, private collections of the elite, and artwork of birds from the 16th to 18th centuries list parrots, pheasants, ostriches, and other long-lived and relatively easy-to-keep birds. Most pet parrots are relatively “fresh out” of the wild, as they are only a few generations removed from the wild, and few owners allow parrots the opportunity to express and exhibit their most basic bird instincts, such as flying, flocking, and mate-finding.

World Parrot Day timeline

1000 B.C. First Written Evidence of Parrots

The first written evidence of parrots existing is in 1000 B.C.

500 B.C. Evidence of Talking Parrots

The first evidence of talking parrots is in Persia, in 500 B.C.

1504 Earliest Record of Pet Parrots

The earliest record of pet parrots is in 1504 when Henry VIII gets one during the Age of Exploration.

1800s Budgies are Introduced to England

Budgies are introduced to England.

World Parrot Day FAQs

What is World Parrot Day?

World Parrot Day is a holiday to honor the magnificent bird, and also raise awareness of the endangers it faces.

Can all parrots talk?

Most parrots can talk, and many parrots do, with training, but some parrots may never speak a word simply because of their individuality.

Can parrots fly?

Parrots can fly, except for the Kakapo, which is the largest parrot. However, most pet parrots do not fly much because they aren’t in the wild.

World Parrot Day Activities

Adopt a parrot

Donate to parrot conservation

Share media of your parrot online!

In celebration of World Parrot Day, you can adopt a parrot as a pet. They’re usually fun and talkative.

Donate to a parrot conservation and contribute to efforts to save parrots from extinction. All parrots need a safe environment, whether it's a family home or in the wild.

If you do own a pet parrot, you should share pictures and videos of it using the hashtag #WorldParrotDay. Even if you don’t own a parrot, read about the dangers they are currently facing and make your friends list more aware.

5 Interesting Facts About Parrots

Parrots can live really long

Parrots have strong beaks

The biggest parrot is a Kakapo

One parrot knew 1,700 words

Parrots in the wild, mate for life

Parrots do live very long, with the average lifespan being 35 to 50 years.

Parrots’ beaks are extremely strong and it is said that they can be strong enough to cause harm to a metal cage.

The Kakapo, based in New Zealand, is the biggest parrot, weighing up to nine pounds but being unable to fly.

In 1995, a parrot named “Puck” was in the Guinness World Records for knowing up to 1,700 words.

Parrots out in the wild can keep mating all through their lives.

Why We Love World Parrot Day

Parrots are fun

Parrots are easy to train

Parrots are beautiful

Parrots are very fun birds to keep as pets. If not for any other reason, but for the fact that you can teach them to speak.

Parrots are relatively easy to train. Most of the time they learn by imitation. So ensure that you repeat all the words you want your parrot to learn.

Parrots are beautiful because of their various bright colors. They’re just really aesthetically pleasing as birds go.

World Parrot Day

We’re really excited about the 31st May, as the rest of the world celebrates the amazing Parrots we know and love, on World Parrot Day.

World Parrot Day was started on May 31st 2004 by the World Parrot Trust. Now in its 13th year, its aims are to highlight the threats to captive and wild Parrots around the world.

Zoos, charities and other organisations all get involved and some even hold special parades and parties to mark the occasion. As May 31st falls near or on the Bank Holiday Weekend every year, members of the public have more opportunities to get involved as more people are off work and school.

At the very first World Parrot Day the World Parrot Trust handed in a petition calling for the EU to ban the trade of wild birds in Europe. This has since come into force (in 2006/2007) so real action can be achieved on this day. In the past celebrities such as TV presenter Michaela Strachan and former star of Vets in Practice Steve Leonard have given their backing to World Parrot Day. Visit the World Parrot Trust’s website to learn more about their current projects and how you can continue to support the work they do saving wild Parrots from extinction.

Mitred Parakeets, Miami Beach

Mitred parakeets

Jumpscared me on my walk

The World is full of amazing creatures from every possible medium. From the birds of the air to the majestic whales of the sea, wildlife abounds in the most unusual and unexpected places. Wildlife benefits us in many ways, and has since time out of mind. World Wildlife day is a day to remind us of our responsibilities to our world and the lifeforms we share it with.

History of World Wildlife Day On March 3rd, 1973 the United Nations General Assembly took a stand against to protect Endangered Species throughout the world. Whether plant or animal, the importance of these species in every area of human life, from culinary to medical, could not be understated. At this time hundreds of endangered species were being threatened every year, and extinction was at a staggeringly high rate. CITES was put into place (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) to ensure that the world did not continue to hemorrhage species that would never be seen from again. On December 20th, 2013 another step was taken to help spread awareness of the fragility of endangered species in the world. At its 68th session, the UN declared that each year World Wildlife Day would be dedicated to a new purpose and idea to help keep people abreast of the changing nature of our world, and the treasures we stand to lose from the animal and plant kingdom if we don’t take care.

How to Celebrate World Wildlife Day The first thing that always comes to mind when we think about World Wildlife Day is heading out to our local zoo or botanical conservatory and reminding ourselves of the vast variety of life our world offers. If you have children, this can be one of the best ways to really introduce them to the wonders of the animal and plant kingdom. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, an outdoor excursion with a book of local flora and fauna (That’s plants and animals) can help make that connection come even closer to home. Another way you can get involved is finding out what this year’s theme is by stopping by http://www.wildlifeday.org/, and finding ways to get involved. There are few things as important as making sure that the world’s biosphere remains healthy, every time we lose a plant or animal, we have no way of knowing if a cure for a disease or some new medical breakthrough was lost with them. World Wildlife Day is your opportunity to do your part in preserving our world.

Animals in the Wild (No. 10)

Mitred Parakeets, Miami Beach (two pics)