The fact that parrots are unwilling to share their food is probably not as well known. Throughout the world s tropical forests, you can hear their shrieks as they fly over the dense foliage in search of a hidden flock feeding on a scarce tree with ripening fruit. A very homogenous group, the parrot is the sole family in the order of Psittaciformes. Originally from the strip of tropical forests that encircle the Earth, the parrot has spread to the south and even northward into colder areas. However, the biggest concentration of parrots still remains in Australia and the Amazon river basin in South America.
Most parrots have a rounded head, short neck and strong wings, permitting only short flights.
Some species, such as the hairy-faced kakapo, are entirely flightless, foraging for leaves, young shoots, berries and moss in the forests of New Zealand. However, most species of parrots spend their days in the highest branches of the trees, only flying off of them to go on foraging expeditions. In general, a parrot s legs are short with two toes in the front and one in the rear, providing them with a great deal of dexterity. They are able to climb trees readily and often use their beaks as a third hand . Most frequently, the parrots plumage is green, but some parrots are red and others entirely blue.