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28 Charming Types of Parrots That Are A Sight to Behold

Perhaps you’re familiar with the African gray, the cockatiel, or the macaw, but these are only a fraction of all the types of parrots found around the globe.

Here we take a deeper look at the different types of parrots and the three superfamilies that fall within this group of vibrant and vividly-colored birds. 

We will single out a few parrot species and explore some fascinating facts regarding each splendid variety.

As we broaden our general knowledge of parrot types, prepare to be amazed by these quirky birds, and perhaps you will learn to speak parrot!

Scarlet macaws are one of the prettiest types of parrots!
Scarlet macaws are one of the prettiest types of parrots!

What Is A Parrot?

A brief scientific classification of a parrot lists their class as Aves, in the order Psittaciformes, in the Psittacidae family. 

Although it’s always impressive to use scientific or academic information in a conversation, it’s more helpful and interesting to know what makes a parrot a parrot.

This type of bird must have a curved beak to be classified as part of the parrot family, and all types of parrots have zygodactyl feet. That’s a scientific term for having four toes, with two facing backward and two forward.

The parrot’s curved beak is one of its most distinctive features, and they use it so much it’s almost like an extra limb. 

Besides using it for eating, they climb with their beaks, manipulate items, and hold things, displaying a little of their intelligence.

The parrot’s zygodactyl feet enable them to climb and grip, and perches of various diameters and textures are essential for their foot health. Healthy feet also require keeping the nails trimmed.

Parrots’ eyes sit on the sides of their heads and have monocular vision, meaning that only one eye is looking at a specific object. 

These amazing birds can contract their pupils at will. This is called eye pinning, and it can tip you off to a parrot’s mood. Rapid eye pinning often reflects excitement.

Beautiful eye of parrot bird Great-Green Macaw

The Three Parrot Types

The Psittaciformes order consists of 398 species of parrots, with most living naturally in tropical and subtropical climates.

The order is subdivided into three superfamilies: true parrots (Psittacoidea), cockatoos (Cacatuoidea), and New Zealand parrots (Strigopoidea).

True Parrots

Approximately 350 parrot species make up the Psittacoidea superfamily. Most of these types of parrots are brightly colored herbivorous, flighted birds. 

True parrots have a distinctive curved beak; their jaws move from slightly higher than where they connect with the skull and have a typical upright posture. 

Most true parrots nest in cavities and form monogamous pairs.

True parrots are mainly seed eaters, with some species also consuming nuts, fruit, leaves, and insects. Nectar is the primary food source for lorikeets, but many other parrots also drink it.

Cockatoos

There are 21 species in the Cacatuoidea family. These types of parrots are mainly distributed throughout Australasia, starting from the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Australia, and the Indonesian islands of New Guinea and Wallacea.

Cockatoos are typically less colorful than their true parrot cousins. They are easily recognizable by their curved beaks and prominent crests. 

Their bodies are usually plain black, white, or gray, and prettily colored tails, cheeks, or crests.

Cockatoos’ preferred diets consist of seeds, fruit, flowers, tubers, corms, and insects, and they often eat together in large flocks. These beauties are monogamous and make their nests in hollow trees.

Except for the small cockatiel, cockatoos are usually medium to large birds with a sturdy build, 12 -24 inches in length. They can weigh between 0.66 and 2.65 lbs. Their beaks are large, and their tongues are muscular, which helps when de-husking their seeds.

Citron-crested cockatoo tilting head to the side

Cockatoos have earned themselves the nickname “the Velcro bird” because they’re affectionate and want to be on top of their humans as much as possible.

Cockatoos are very intelligent birds but also emotional, known for developing phobias, screaming, having tantrums, and plain silliness. 

To avoid this behavior, birds must be properly trained from babies. They are high-maintenance pets and, depending on the species, can live for 30-70 years.

New Zealand Parrots

New Zealand parrots have eight endemic species in the superfamily. The three mainland species are the kea, the kakapo, and the New Zealand kaka. 

This superfamily also includes three kakariki species: the red-crowned parakeet, the yellow-crowned parakeet, and the orange-fronted parakeet.

The other types of parrots in this superfamily are the Chatham parakeet, the Antipodes parakeet, and the Chatham kaka, now extinct.

Other Australian parrots have also been introduced to New Zealand accidentally and deliberately. Still, the only two species with significant populations are the sulfur-crested cockatoo and the eastern rosella.

The eastern rosella is found on the northern section of North Island, the Wellington Region, the Dunedin hills, and the Taranaki Region.

The sulfur-crested cockatoo population developed from captive birds that escaped. There are now populations in western Waikato, the Auckland Region, the Turakina-Rangitikei Region, and the Banks Peninsula.

28 Different Parrot Types That Are A Sight to Behold

With the Psittaciformes order consisting of so many species, it’s impossible to cover them all, but we will present a brief overview of some of nature’s most beautiful birds divided by the three superfamilies of parrots.

Types of True Parrots

1. Hyacinth Macaw

Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) closeup

Hyacinth macaws are not only one of the most beautiful birds in the world but also one of the most remarkable blue animals. These magnificent Amazon Rainforest animals boast Brazil’s colors.

Characteristics: Hyacinth macaws are the largest species of macaws and flying parrots, but kākāpōs, as flightless birds, outweigh them at up to 7.7 pounds.

As the longest-living birds, the larger the individual, the longer the life expectancy. On average, the lifespan of a healthy macaw parrot is 50 years. They can, however, live for up to 100 years.

Some of the primary predators of the macaw are larger birds of prey, snakes, and monkeys.

Diet: They eat mostly nuts and seeds.

Habitat: They live, as you might have guessed, in the Brazilian Amazon.

Interesting facts:

  • Adult macaws have no known predators in the wild, making them apex predators. Still, toucans, corvids, possums, and coatis prey on the eggs.
  • Macaws eat palm nuts only after the nuts have passed through the digestive system of a cow.

2. Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet macaw on tree branch

Native to Central and South America, scarlet macaws are large colorful birds belonging to the parrot family. Some of their range overlaps with the hyacinth macaw’s range, a beautiful large bird.

Characteristics: These intelligent birds have stunning plumage in bright red, yellow, and blue, making them a sight to behold while in flight. Some individuals may have blue, yellow, and green wings.

Diet: These types of parrots feed on nectar, fruit, nuts, insects, and larvae.

Habitat: Scarlet macaws inhabit humid lowland subtropical rainforests, open woodlands, river edges, and savannas.

Interesting facts:

  • Scarlet macaws can mimic human speech.
  • The scarlet macaw is Honduras’ national bird.

3. Blue-and-Yellow Macaw

Blue and yellow macaw

These tropical colorful birds are found mainly in South America, but they can be found in a small region of Panama.

Characteristics: These noisy birds prefer to stay in flocks in the wild and display bright blue and yellow colors.

Blue-and-yellow macaws weigh between 2 and 3 pounds and can reach a length of 34 inches.

As one of the longest-living animals, these macaws can live for 65 to 70 years.

Diet: They feed on fruits, seeds, leaves, vegetables, and insects.

Habitat: These types of parrots are easily seen flying in the Amazon Rainforest and Pantanal, among other wild animals in Brazil.

Interesting facts:

  • The fruit of the Jabillo tree is a favorite for macaws.
  • Palm trees provide a perfect hiding place to avoid predators like eagles.

4. Rainbow Lorikeet

Rainbow lorikeet still on flight

Rainbow lorikeets are medium-sized species of parrots found in Australia.

Characteristics: They have a deep blue crown, a greenish-yellow nuchal collar, an yellow/orange chest, deep blue underparts, and green upper parts.

Juveniles have a black beak, which gradually brightens to orange as they become adults.

Rainbow lorikeets can reach 12 inches long and weigh no more than 5.5 ounces.

These types of parrots are usually found in pairs and can be pretty noisy.

Diet: Rainbow lorikeets feed mainly on fruit, pollen, and nectar and possess a tongue adapted especially for their particular diet.

Habitat: Their habitat is rainforest, coastal bush, and woodland areas.

Interesting facts:

  • Unlike popular belief, rainbow lorikeets don’t eat skittles. Just kidding! They feed on fruit, blossoms, nectar, insects, and seeds.
  • These birds are constant chatterers, and they have little fear of humans.

5. Lear’s Macaw

Lear's Macaws flying

Another name for Lear’s Macaw is Indigo Macaw. Indeed, they’re a completely indigo-color parrot species with roots in Brazil.

Characteristics: Among the animals that start with L, this parrot species has the special quality of mimicking human voices along with having a playful nature.

Unfortunately, Lear’s macaw is an endangered species due to habitat loss, hunting, and trapping for the illegal aviary trade.

Diet: They mostly feed on the nuts of palm trees, as well as raiding maize from local farmers.

Habitat: They live in dry desert-like environments in the country and next in sandstone cliffs.

Interesting facts:

  • The Lear’s Macaw is named after Edward Lear, a 19th-century artist who was famous for painting macaws.
  • Macaws are able to fly at speeds of up to 35 mph.

6. Military Macaw

Military macaw in flight with vegetation in the background

Military macaws are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because of hunting, habitat loss, and urban development.

Characteristics: This parrot species are large parrots and medium-sized macaws that get their name from their green plumage, which resembles a military uniform. They are about 30 inches long and 43 inches across the wing. 

Diet: Their diet consists mostly of seeds but also includes fruits and leaves.

Habitat: Military macaws inhabit tropical deciduous and semi-deciduous forests in South America, but a subspecies can also be found in Mexico.

Interesting facts:

  • Macaws are able to reach flying speeds of up to 35 mph.
  • Military macaws gather at mounds of clay along riverbanks to lick the clay and detoxify poisonous substances in their diet.

7. Plum-Headed Parakeet

Plum-headed parakeet feeding on rice grains

Characteristics: Found in the Indian subcontinent, the male plum-headed parakeets have pinkish-purple heads.

Still, the female parakeets sport gray color on their faces. They’re mostly lemon yellow to green from the face down. 

Compared to other parrot species, they have a gentler temperament. These parrot types can reach 13 inches long.

Diet: They feed on grains, fruits, and the fleshy petals of flowers.

Habitat: The plum-headed parakeet is a bird of forest and open woodland, even in city gardens. 

Interesting facts:

  • They are experts in mimicking sounds they hear due to their intelligence and distinct vocal abilities.
  • These types of parrots live about 20 to 30 years, on average.

8. Turquoise-Fronted Amazon

A Turquoise-fronted Parrot seen from the front

Also known as blue-fronted parrots, turquoise-fronted Amazons are parrot species native to South America.

Characteristics: They have a unique turquoise patch on their foreheads just above the beak, hence their name. They are primarily green with a few patches of yellow.

These types of parrots are about 15 inches long and nest in tree cavities.

Diet: In the wild, blue-fronted Amazons forage on fruits and berries, leaf buds, and blossoms, as well as seeds and nuts.

Habitat: They are found in forests (though generally avoid extensive humid forests such as the Amazon), woodland, savanna, and palm groves.

Interesting facts:

  • They have a predisposition for singing.
  • Turquoise-fronted Amazons are sexually monomorphic to the human eye because we can’t see the light in the near-ultraviolet (UV) range, so to the naked eye, both females and males look the same to us.

9. African Gray Parrot

Timneh African Gray Parrot standing on a rock

Of all the types of parrots, the African gray is the most well-known variety due to its popularity as a pet. 

The African gray is a true parrot. It hails from Africa’s equatorial regions and is endemic to Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya.

Characteristics: This species is divided into two subspecies: Congo and Timneh grays. African grey parrots range between 12 -16 inches long and weigh 0.8 – 1.4 lbs, with their average weight just under a single pound. Their wingspans reach 18 – 20 inches.

Diet: In its natural environment, the African gray eats leaves, fruit, bark, flowers, and insects.

Habitat: Dense forests and at forest edges.

Interesting Facts:

  • It is the most intelligent specie of the breed and can mimic human language, learn numbers, shapes, and colors, ask questions, and hold conversations.
  • African gray parrots are not always gray. There are blue-white, white, and mottled varieties with various shades of brown, white, silver, and red.

10. Glaucous Macaw

Glaucous macaw illustration

The beautiful blue glaucous macaw is nearly, or possibly already, extinct, according to the IUCN. They believe that there are less than twenty birds alive in the wild.

Distribution: Historically, the parrot could be found in Northern Argentina, northeastern parts of Uruguay, southern Paraguay, and Brazil, southwards from the state of Paraná.

Habitat: Glaucous macaws were found near large rivers and most frequently near Corrientes in Argentina.

Characteristics: The Glaucous macaw is about 28 inches long and weighs approximately 2 lbs. They have turquoise-blue bodies with medium-gray heads. These macaws would have yellow rings around their eyes and yellow crescent-shaped markings around the lower part of their beaks.

Diet: The Glaucous macaw lived on Yatay Palm nuts, fruit, berries, and local vegetation.

Interesting fact:

  • Their beaks are large and strong enough to pick out a person’s eye or break a knuckle, should you get into their bad books.

11. Sun Parakeet

Pair of sun parakeets or conures cuddling

The Sun parakeet is a medium-sized parrot, a vividly shaded bird endemic to the northeastern parts of South America.

Distribution: These parakeets can be seen in Guyana, Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela.

Habitat: They mainly inhabit tropical areas but sometimes also occur in coastal forests and savanna woodlands. They have also been sighted along the banks of the Amazon, forested valleys, and forests flooded by seasonal rain.

Characteristics: The stunning Sun parakeet has bright golden-yellow feathers with an orange face and underparts. It is approximately 12 inches long and weighs around 4 -4.5 ounces.

Diet: Sun parakeets are herbivorous and feed primarily on berries, seeds, nuts, fruit, flowers, and seeds.

Interesting facts:

  • It’s considered an endangered species, according to the IUCN.
  • They are very loud, emitting blood-curdling screams during the day, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Sun parakeets aren’t extremely social and spend extended periods in their nests.

12. Golden-Shouldered Parrot

Golden-shouldered Parrots in Queensland Australia

The golden-shouldered parrot is also called the alwal and is an endangered species.

Distribution: These parrots are native to Queensland’s southern Cape York Peninsula.

Habitat: They live in open forested grasslands containing many termite mounds where they make their nests.

Characteristics: These rare animals are about 10 inches long and weigh around 2 ounces. They are slender birds with small beaks and long tails. The males are predominantly blue with a yellow band on the shoulder, a dark salmon-pink underside, a black cap, and a greyish-brown lower back.

Diet: They feed on Glimmer Grass, Fire Grass, and Cockatoo Grass seeds. They eat fallen seeds and use their feet to hold the stems while pecking directly from the seed heads.

Interesting facts:

  • These types of parrots are known as fire-dependent species as the grasses seed for longer under the right fire conditions.
  • Recently burnt areas are safer from predators, but they also rely on the black-faced wood swallow to sound the alert when predators are around. 

13. Scarlet-Chested Parrot

Scarlet-chested Parrot bird closeup

These tiny true parrots are also known as scarlet-chested parakeets and splendid parakeets.

Distribution: They are native to New South Wales, Western Australia, and Southern Australia.

Habitat: They flourish in various climates and live in eucalyptus woodlands, dry areas with sparse growth, and forest edges, and often travel from one water source to the next.

Characteristics: They are very colorful with blue faces, bright green backs, red chests, yellow underparts, and blue feathers under the wings. They are only 8 inches long and weigh a mere 2.5 ounces.

Diet: These little parrots live on grasses and seeds and supplement their diet with berries, insects, fruit, succulent plants, and flowers.

Interesting facts:

  • They can survive without much water because they take a large portion of their fluids from succulent plants.
  • They are friendly, affectionate, and full of silly tricks.

14. Bourke’s Parrot

Bourke's Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii) is an Australian grass parakeet

These parrots are known to be gentle and sweet-natured and make good pet birds when hand-reared as babies.

Distribution: They can be found in the southern and central interior of Australia and also in southwestern Queensland, as far as New South Wales’ western border to northern South Australia and the central and eastern regions of Western Australia.

Habitat: They favor small shrubby, and sandy plains and Australia’s savannas. You can also find them acacia scrub and clumps of mulga.

Characteristics: These parrots are tiny, only 7 – 8 inches long, weighing 1.4 – 1.75 ounces. Their wings are brownish-gray. They have pink feathers on their chests and abdomens, and their tale feathers are a lovely blue. Adult males have blue foreheads.

Diet: Bourke’s parrots forage for food in the plains and fields and feed mainly on grasses, seeds, fruits, insects, and berries.

Interesting fact:

  • Bourke’s parrots can fly at a speed of 40 -50 mph.

15. Black Lory

Parrot Black Lory on tree branch

The black lory belongs to the true parrot family and is a medium-sized bird.

Distribution: These parrots are native to Indonesia and are found in a small region covering West Papua New Guinea, Jaya, Misool, and a few other islands.

Habitat: Black lories flourish in the mangroves, tropical forests, and open areas on the tropical islands of Indonesia.

Characteristics: The black lory has a raven-like appearance. It is a predominantly black bird with a black beak with red and yellow markings under the tail. Adults reach 12 -13 inches in length and weigh around half a pound.

Diet: Black lories eat seeds, coconuts, fruits, and nectar.

Interesting facts:

  • In the book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” Lewis Carroll devoted an entire chapter to Alice having a fruitless argument with a lory who became sulky and refused to tell her his age, despite insisting he is older than her!

16. Blue Lorikeet

The blue lorikeet is a small true parrot on the IUCN’s endangered list.

Distribution: These cute animals are native to French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. Previously they were also found on 23 Tahitian islands, but today they only exist on eight islands, including Motu and perhaps Harvey.

Habitat: They live in forests, mangroves, and eucalyptus groves and adapt well to different climates.

Characteristics: They are predominantly deep purple or blue with orange bills and brown or yellow eyes. Their chests are white, and the backs of their heads are blue. Blue lorikeets are only 7 inches long and weigh 1.1 -1.2 ounces.

Diet: These parrots are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they will eat whatever they find. They prefer to eat fruits, flowers, pollen, nectar, and sometimes insects.

Interesting facts:

  • They are also called the nun bird because their blue and white coloring looks like a nun’s habit.
  • They have fine hairs on their tongues for gathering pollen and nectar.

17. Australian Ringneck

Close up of an Australian ringneck parrot

Australian ringnecks consist of four subspecies found in specific regions in Australia.

Distribution: These types of parrots are only found in Australia. The Mallee group resides in the dry eastern Northern Territory, inland eastern Australia, and northwestern Queensland. The Port Lincoln group lives in western and central Australia.

Habitat: Australian ringnecks live in thinly wooded areas, treelined bodies of water, and open woodlands.

Characteristics: The four subspecies differ in size and plumage according to their regions. All groups are predominantly green with yellow bands on the back of the neck. They weigh 4.3 – 5 ounces.

Diet: Australian ringnecks feed on the ground, in shrubs and trees. They live on seeds, flowers, nectar, some fruits, insects, and insect larvae.

Interesting facts:

  • In Western Australia, they are called Twenty-Eights because their call sounds like twenty-eight!
  • They escape the midday heat by shading in tree hollows in the forest.

18. Spix’s Macaw

The Spix's macaw is a macaw native to Brazil

Spix’s macaw is the rarest of the macaw family and is also referred to as the Little blue macaw.

Distribution: These little macaws only exist in captivity today, most often in private collections. They were endemic to interior and northeast Brazil, where groups inhabited northeast Bahia and southern Piaui.

Habitat: They lived in the Tabebuia caraiba gallery woodland adjacent to seasonal streams and the dry scrub zone.

Characteristics: Spix’s macaws are small parrots with bright blue plumage on their wings and tails, blue-gray on the rest of the body, and an ash-blue crown. They weigh 10.2 – 11.2 ounces and are 22 inches long.

Diet: In the wild, Spix’s macaw ate seeds and fruit, but today they eat a range of nuts, fruit, seeds, and supplements of tree bark and cactus meat.

Interesting facts:

  • Their beaks are powerful enough to crush a Brazil nut.
  • Parents will lie on the ground on their sides to distract predators from their nests when they have babies.

19. Pale-Headed Rosella

Pale-headed rosella closeup

Pale-headed rosellas make excellent companions, are hardy, and are low-maintenance.

Distribution: These birds are endemic to Australia and live in the eastern and northern coastal regions. They can be seen in central Queensland, New South Wales, and Cape York.

Habitat: They thrive in grasslands, scrub orchards, sparse woodlands, and along roadsides and can adapt to different climates.

Characteristics: Adults are usually 12 inches long, with their tails taking up half their length, and weigh about 4 ounces. Their heads, chests, and underparts are typically white with a slight undertone of blue. Their tails and flight feathers are dark blue, and their backs and wings are black and edged yellow. Underneath that is a red rump!

Diet: They have a varied diet which includes grass and tree seeds, fruits, and flowers. Fruits of the River Red-gum, Rough Cockleburr, River Sheoak, and melaleucas trees are favorites. The Scotch Thistle flowers are also on the menu, along with berries and nectar.

Interesting facts:

  • The sexes are identical in color, but the female is smaller than the male.
  • They are noisy birds, except when feeding.

20. Western Rosella

Close up of a colorful Western rosella parrot perching on leaves

The Western rosella is a bright and multicolored true parrot native to the southern parts of Western Australia. They are popular aviary birds due to their stunning coloring and sociable and placid natures.

Distribution: Western Australia

Habitat: They live in woodland areas and eucalyptus forests but will fly to cleared areas to feed.

Characteristics: Its underparts and head are bright red, with a mottled black back and a yellow patch on the cheeks. It weighs 2.1 – 2.5 ounces and has a length of 9.8 – 11.8 inches.

Diet: They feed predominantly on plant and grass seeds and supplement their diet with insect larvae and nectar. They have done large-scale damage to grain and fruit crops, leading the state to declare them pests. They are allowed to be captured or killed.

Interesting facts:

  • Another name for the Western rosella is the moyadong.
  • As juveniles mature, they are said to “ripen” when they change from green to red.
  • They are the smallest of the Rosella parrots.

21. Pesquet’s Parrot

Pesquet's Parrot perched on a tree branch

Pesquet’s parrot is a large, intimidating-looking bird endemic to New Guinea.

Distribution: Pesquet’s parrot is found in the hills and rainforests on the mountain slopes of New Guinea.

Habitat: They roost high up in the rainforest trees, hopping from branch to branch more often than flying. Pesquet’s parrots also sometimes occur in tall secondary growth.

Characteristics: These austere-looking parrots are approximately 18 inches long and weigh between 21 and 28 ounces. From the head to the upper abdomen, they are black or dark gray, while their lower underparts and wings are bright red. Males have a red patch behind their eyes. Of all the different types of parrots, they are one of only three species whose faces are bare.

Diet: Pesquet’s parrots feed primarily on figs. When these are unavailable, they eat mangoes, flowers, other fruits, and nectar.

Interesting facts:

  • Pesquet’s parrot is also called the Dracula parrot or Vulturine parrot, as they have the predatory look of a vulture.
  • The bare skin on its face prevents its feathers from getting messy from the sticky fruit it consumes.
  • Despite looking like a vulture, the Dracula parrot does not eat meat.

Types of Cockatoos

22. Galah

Closeup portrait of a Galah cockatoo or Eolophus Roseicapilla, bird.

Also known as rose-breasted cockatoos, Galahs are beautiful Australian cockatoos. 

Characteristics: These parrot types have distinct and attractive pink and gray plumage that makes them easily identifiable.

They are social birds, often found in large flocks of up to 1,000 individuals. 

Galahs are about 14 inches long and weigh no more than 12 ounces, so they are relatively small parrot types that live a long life: up to 72 years in captivity. 

Unfortunately, they might not reach 20 years in their natural habitat because of predators, both human and wild.

Diet: They feed on a variety of seeds, grains, nuts, berries, fruits, insects, and so on.

Habitat: They are abundant in open habitats that offer at least some scattered trees for shelter. It is common in all habitats in its range except for dense forests, especially those with high rainfall.

Interesting facts:

23. Cockatiel

Adult male pretty cockatiel on a blue background

Cockatiels are the smallest type of parrots in the Cacatuoidea or cockatoo superfamily and make adorable pet parrots because they are gentle and affectionate.

Distribution: Cockatiels are native to Australia and are found throughout the country, although they are more abundant in the southwestern regions.

Habitat: Cockatiels prefer open habitats like thinly wooded areas near fresh water. They live in farmland, open woodland, savanna, acacia scrub, orchards, parks, and suburban gardens.

Characteristics: Cockatiels have mainly gray plumage, yellow faces with wispy yellow and gray crests, and orange circles on their cheeks. They also have white patches on their wings. They weigh 2.8 – 3.5 ounces and are approximately 12 inches long.

Diet: Cockatiels feed primarily on acacia seeds and those from indigenous plants in the area. They also consume grains, berries, and fruits.

Interesting facts:

  • Cockatiels reverse into their nest hollows because they struggle to turn around due to their long tails.
  • Cockatiels do not screech like many of their parrot cousins and can mimic some words and sounds.

24. Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Rare Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) female in Queensland, Australia

This member of the Cacatouidea superfamily is a large cockatoo endemic to Australia.

Distribution: Red-tailed black cockatoos are predominantly found in the drier northern parts of the country. This species can be found in Western Australia, up to the Northern Territory, through Queensland to the New South Wales border, and in parts of southwest Victoria.

Habitat: Red-tailed black cockatoos live in various environments, mostly in woodlands and eucalyptus forests. Sometimes one finds them in areas next to shrublands or woodlands, in farmlands, and in grasslands.

Characteristics: This glossy black bird has a rounded erectile crest that looks like a helmet when the cockatoo pushes it up and forward. Males have bright red panels on their tails, and females have yellow patches on their necks, head, and wings. Red-tailed black cockatoos weigh 21.7 – 32.4 ounces and are about 24 inches long.

Diet: Red-tailed black cockatoos live mainly on seeds but will occasionally vary their diets with nuts, fruits, flowers, bulbs, and insects. Their favorite seeds are acacias, eucalyptus, banksias, and casuarinas.

Interesting facts:

  • A Red-tailed black cockatoo called Karak was the official mascot for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
  • The Tiwi people believe that these birds escort the dead to heaven.

25. Glossy Black Cockatoo

A female Glossy black cockatoo

The Glossy black cockatoo is the smallest of the black cockatoos and one of the rarest.

Distribution: These cockatoos are endemic to a small section of eastern Australia. They are found in a crescent-shaped area from Queensland to Victoria and also inhabit Kangaroo Island.

Habitat: Glossy black cockatoos live in thick coastal forests, woodlands, and river basins, often making their homes in Casuarina trees.

Characteristics: The average length of this bird is 19-20 inches, and they weigh approximately 1 pound. These parrots are almost entirely black, but the male’s head is slightly lighter in color, and they have red patches on their tail feathers. Females have yellow spots on the tail and neck.

Diet: The staple diet of a Glossy black cockatoo is the cone fruits of the Casuarina tree, with some fruit and wood-boring grubs on the side.

Interesting facts:

  • These birds only eat with their left feet.
  • They only have a single chick every second year.

26. Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo

sulphur-crested cockatoo on a tree branch

The sulfur-crested cockatoo is one of the largest and most beautiful of the white cockatoo species.

Distribution: Sulfur-crested cockatoos are endemic to New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea.

Habitat: Their ideal habitats are adjacent to subtropical and tropical rainforests, but they are also plentiful in urban areas.

Characteristics: The adults weigh almost 2 pounds and are about 20 inches long. They are mainly white with a light yellow shade under the wings and have a yellow crest on their heads.

Diet: These cockatoos feed on grains, seeds, and insects found in trees.

Interesting facts:

  • They leave a powdery dust that can set off allergies.
  • They have the learning abilities equivalent to a 1 -2-year-old child and can learn to do tricks.
  • These cockatoos tend to make sudden movements, which can be very startling.

Types of New Zealand Parrots

27. Kea

Kea Mountain Parrot flying

Kea parrots are among the most intelligent types of parrots worldwide and belong to the New Zealand parrot superfamily.

Distribution: They are endemic to New Zealand and found in forests and Alpine areas on the South Island.

Habitat: Kea nest in crevices in the roots of trees or burrows.

Characteristics: These large parrots are predominantly olive-green with bright orange feathers under the wings. Keas are 18 -20 inches long and weigh between 1.65 and 2.2 lbs.

Diet: Kea are omnivores, feeding mainly on leaves, roots, nectar, insects, and berries, but they will also eat carrion.

Interesting facts:

  • These parrots can do logical puzzles, pulling and pushing objects in the correct order to reach food items.
  • They will cooperate with each other to achieve a common goal.
  • They love bathing in thawed ice and rolling in the snow.
  • In strong winds, you can see them performing aerobatics.
  • Sometimes, they attack cars to get to the wiper blade rubbers.

28. Kakapo

Kakapo Parrot Endemic to New Zealand

Kakapos belong to the New Zealand parrot superfamily and are on the brink of extinction. In 2020, there were only 210 known birds in existence.

Distribution: These large, flightless parrots previously lived throughout New Zealand, but as numbers decreased, they were moved to Whenua Hou, Hauturu, Maud Island, Chalky Island, and Anchor Island.

Habitat: They live only in forests, although previously, they appeared to reside in various vegetation types.

Characteristics: Kakapos are large, flightless, nocturnal parrots with faces resembling owls. They have grey beaks, and the soles of their feet are pale colored. They are moss green with some yellow and black markings on top. They are 22.8 – 25.2 inches long and weigh between 4 and 9 lbs.

Diet: They are herbivores and feed on bark, roots, fern fronds, leaves, buds, flowers, rhizomes, bulbs, seeds, and fruit.

Interesting facts:

  • They breed only every 2-4 years when the rimu trees bear fruit.
  • They are solitary and stay in the same area for many years.

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28 Different Parrot Types That Are A Sight to Behold

1. Hyacinth Macaw

2. Scarlet Macaw

3. Blue-and-Yellow Macaw

4. Rainbow Lorikeet

5. Lear’s Macaw

6. Military Macaw

7. Plum-Headed Parakeet

8. Turquoise-Fronted Amazon

9. African Gray Parrot

10. Glaucous Macaw

11. Sun Parakeet

12. Golden-Shouldered Parrot

13. Scarlet-Chested Parrot

14. Bourke’s Parrot

15. Black Lory

16. Blue Lorikeet

17. Australian Ringneck

18. Spix’s Macaw

19. Pale-Headed Rosella

20. Western Rosella

21. Pesquet’s Parrot

22. Galah

23. Cockatiel

24. Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

25. Glossy Black Cockatoo

26. Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo

27. Kea

28. Kakapo