Its’ World Parrot Day! 🦜 So I am going to introduce you to a parrot that means the world to me! Some of you have met Rio before, but for those of you that haven’t, say “hello” to Rio the double yellow-headed Amazon parrot! Also known as the yellow-headed Amazon or yellow-headed parrot. 🦜 Rio & I have been best buddies from the first day I walked in to work at the San Diego Zoo. He fluffed up right away and started talking & squawking as if we were long lost friends. And we have had some great adventures together ever since. ⭐️ #FunFact: When parrots hatch, the look and sound of their parents will imprint on them, or give them a sense of what species they are. In other words, when parent raised, they will usually seek out the same species as future flock buddies and/or mates. However, when hand raised by humans, they tend to seek out humans for those personal connections. Thus, given Rio’s behavior towards me on my first day at work, it is probable that Rio was raised by a man (with similar features to mine) in the SDZ Avian Propagation Center many years ago. ⭐️ #AnimalFact: Rio’s species is Endangered! Sadly the most recent assessment in August of 2018 states there are only 4700 mature individuals in the wild, and the population trend is decreasing. Their decline was initially due to the illegal pet trade. But more recently the impact of residential, commercial and agricultural development has greatly impacted their native habitats. *Bonus fact: This species has established recognized populations in Southern Florida and Southern California. The probable cause? Former pet birds that have found a way to live as introduced species in these environments. Human impact takes all forms. If you made it this far, let me know in the comments if you have any non-native parrots living in your area. (Seattle peeps, is it true you guys have a flock living downtown?) . . . . . #WorldParrotDay #ParrotDay #Parrot #BirdsOfInstagram #InstaParrot #ParrotsOfInsta #ParrotsOfIG #AmazonParrot #InstaBird #BirdNerd #BirdNird #PersonalHistory #PrettyBird #WildlifeConservation #SanDiegoZoo #birds_of_instagram #WildlifeEducation #Zookeeper #SavingSpecies #EndExtinction (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByJYzrOFyzq/?igshid=mu4s79ngd33p