They are popular as pets because they become affectionate and tame, and many can be taught to talk. Most parrots have thick, hooked bills, and many have long tails. Parrots also possess short legs and feet with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. These strong, grasping feet enable parrots to grasp fruits and nuts, climb, and even hang acrobatically from tree branches. Parakeet is a general name for many kinds of small to medium-sized parrots, especially those with long, pointed tails.
Parrots are noisy, sociable birds that live chiefly in forested areas.
Parrots commonly eat fruits, nuts, seeds, and buds. Some also eat nectar and pollen. Most parrots choose one mate for life. Female parrots lay round, white eggs. They deposit the eggs in holes in trees, on the ground, in cracks in rocks, or in holes dug in termite nests.