Parrots are quite ancient inhabitants of our planet. Over the course of evolutionary development, more than 300 species of parrots have appeared. Among these remarkable birds, there are true giants and tiny ones. Let’s talk about them today.
The largest parrot in the world
The record holder among tropical birds of the parrot family is the hyacinth macaw. It is the only species of bird with feather coloring ranging from turquoise to dark blue.
The body length of male hyacinth macaws reaches 57 cm, and with their long tail, they can reach up to 1 meter. The wingspan is also impressive: with an average length of 37 cm, the distance between the spread wings in flight exceeds 80 cm.
In flight, the flight feathers located on the outer contour of the wing become visible. They are anthracite-black in color and beautifully complement the rich primary coloration.
The body mass of this giant reaches 1.5 kg. Females are slightly smaller than males but are colored slightly more modestly. A distinctive feature of this species is the ornate bright yellow outline of the bare skin around the eyes and along the contour of the beak.
Hyacinth macaws are excellent fliers. They can cover distances of up to 10-12 km without a break. To protect themselves from predators, they build their nests at a great height above the ground (12-15 m) and live in groups of 6-12 individuals. These birds form a family once and for life, and they are ready to breed only by the age of 27-30.
Currently, small colonies of hyacinth macaws still exist in the wild. They inhabit the remote forests of the Amazon.
The smallest parrot in the world
The pygmy parrot holds the title of the smallest parrot in the world. Specifically, the buff-faced pygmy parrot (Micropsitta pusio) is the tiniest among them, measuring around 8-10 centimeters (3.1-3.9 inches) in length and weighing only about 10-12 grams (0.35-0.42 ounces).
photo by Gabbro/Alamy
These parrots are native to the forests of New Guinea and nearby islands, where they primarily feed on fungi and lichens. Despite their small size, pygmy parrots are highly active and agile.