Becky McIver, age 12, of Cumberland, Md., for her question:
ARE THERE MANY KINDS OF PARROTS?
More than 300 species make up the parrot family of birds, which is known scientifically as Psittacidae. Included in the family are parakeets, cockatoos, cockatesis, Tories, lorikssts, macaws, lovebirds and budgerigars.
There are a number of distinguishing characteristics that quickly tell you that you're in the parrot family: The birds have hooked bills, large heads, short necks and strong, grasping feet. And the feat have two toss pointing forward and two pointing backward.
Most of the world's parrots live in the tropical parts of the Southern Hemisphere, although some are found living as far north as northern Mexico. The family members vary greatly in size, ranging from the macaws of South America, which grow to 40 inches long, down to the pygmy parrots of South America that are only 3 1/2 inches in length.
The Carolina parakeet is the only parrot native to the united States. Not too long ago these birds could be found in Southern and Midwestern forests, but the last were seen 1n the 1920s in Florida's Everglades. Where did the birds go? Because they caused lots of grain and fruit crop damage throughout the South and Midwest in the early part of the 19th Century, these yellowish green orange faced birds were hunted and killed by the teas of thousands. And now they are gone.
Parrots make interesting pets. Some can be taught to "talk." Actually, they can be trained to make sounds very much like words spoken by humans. Among the best known to be tamed are the yellow headed Amazon parrot and the African gray parrot. Both of these are fine mimics. Each is about 12 inches in length and both have short, square tails.
The Amazon parrot is mostly green with blue and red markings on the wings and a bright yellow head while the African gray parrot has a white face and a bright red tail to go along with its gray body.
The budgerigar, a true parakeet, is another popular cage bird.
The largest members of the family, the macaws of Mexico and Central and South America, also are the gaudiest. Especially striking are the scarlet macaws and those that are yellow and bane.
Ail macaws have strong bills and long, tapering tails. The tail feathers can extend to two feet in length.
Wild cockatoos live in the jungles of Australia. They vary in size from 15 to 32 inches. They have crests of feathers on their heads that they can lower or raise. Most are white with traces of pink or yellow.
The largest is the great black cockatoo. It has pink cheeks.
Lovebirds are native to Africa sad Madagascar. They aren't as frisky as most of the parrots. In their cages, they are happy just to sit quietly. In the wilds, they travel in large flocks.
Caged parrots can live for 50 to 80 years.