#worldparrotday

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

World Parrot Day was created by World Parrot Trust in 2004 to highlight the plight of wild parrots and raise awareness about the role of importing birds in causing this plight. In the lead up to the first observance, World Parrot Trust had put forth a petition that called for the European Union to ban the trade of wild birds in Europe, and it had been signed by tens of thousands of people from dozens of countries. On the first World Parrot Day, zoos around the world marked the day and celebrants gathered at London’s Trafalgar Square. Supporters of the petition and their parrot companions marched from the square down Downing Street to deliver it. Their efforts bore fruit in 2007. Today, World Parrot Day aims to highlight the threats that captive and wild parrots face, and zoos and other organizations hold special events around the world.

Founded in 1989, World Parrot Trust is an organization that implements programs to protect parrots—both companion parrots and those in the wild. Their goal is “saving wild parrots from extinction and ensuring optimal care for companion parrots.” When it comes to wild parrots, World Parrot Trust is involved in “groundbreaking field research, hands-on conservation programs, habitat protection, education and awareness programs, lobbying for better protections for parrots, and supporting the rescue, rehabilitation and release of parrots caught in illegal trade.” When it comes to companion parrots, they support parrot owners by providing information on proper care, and they encourage the adopting and re-homing of parrots from sanctuaries so that rescue facilities don’t become overcrowded.

Parrots are the most endangered birds in the world, with many of their species falling into the category. They face habitat loss, and thousands are trapped and sold into the pet trade each year. Over half of captured parrots die before being exported from the country where they were caught. And while many of the millions of parrots that are kept as companion pets live long lives with caretakers who know how to properly care for them, others are unable to thrive because of the conditions they live in.

Over 350 bird species are considered to be parrots, including cockatoos, cockatiels, parakeets, lovebirds, lorikeets, macaws, and Amazon parrots. All parrots have curved beaks and are zygodactyls, meaning they have four toes on each foot with two pointing forward and two pointing backward. They vary in size depending on their species. The smallest is the pygmy parrot, which stands about 3 inches tall and weighs 0.4 ounces; the heaviest is the kakapo, which can weigh up to 9 pounds.

Parrots can be found in most warm climates around the world. They are most prevalent in Central America, South America, and Australasia. There are a few “cold-weather parrots,” such as thick-billed parrots, keas, and maroon-fronted parrots. Parrots can live up to 80 years in the wild. There they tend to live in flocks. Many species are monogamous, staying with one partner for life. They lay eggs, usually in nests, and the parents raise their young together. Seeds, nuts, buds, flowers, fruits, and small creatures like insects are the foods of choice.

Amazon parrots, macaws, cockatiels, parakeets, and cockatoos are the species most commonly kept as pets. Parrots have appeal as pets because they are musical, intelligent, colorful, and charismatic. Some can imitate human speech. The African gray parrot is the most well-versed in language. Parrots can mimic other sounds as well. Whether they are in the wild or are companion pets, the threats parrots face are highlighted today on World Parrot Day.

Some ways you could observe the day include:

Attend a World Parrot Day event at a zoo or another location.

If you have a parrot, spend the day with it. You could also spend the day with a friend’s parrot.

If you don’t have a parrot, consider learning how to care for parrots and adopting one.

Support World Parrot Trust by donating or fundraising.

Learn about World Parrot Trust projects.

Learn about the different types of parrots.

View parrots in a zoo or in the wild.

Watch a film that features parrots, such as Parrot Confidential or The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.

Watch video clips of parrots talking. An African grey parrot named Alex is considered to be one of the smartest parrots of all time. You could watch clips of him speaking or watch Life With Alex.

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.