Parrot

A parrot perching on a branch

Parrots are a group of birds found mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. Though the exact number is unknown, it is believed that there are hundreds of species of parrot that exist worldwide. This includes cockatoos, a group of birds that are often mistaken as completely separate from parrots. Parrots have a generally pantropical distribution although several species occupy more temperature areas as well.

Notable features of parrots include a strong, curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed feet. Many parrots are colourful, and some are multi-coloured. They are one of the most varied bird groups in terms of size and length.

The main parts of most parrots' diets are seeds, nuts, fruits, buds, and other plant material. A few species sometimes eat animals and carrion, while others prefer floral nectar and soft fruits. Almost all parrots nest in three hollows, and lay white eggs from which hatch immature, helpless young.

Parrots are considered one of the most intelligent birds in the world, and quite a few species possess the ability to imitate noises and speech. This contributes to their popularity in the pet trade, where they are sought after by nobles and, at least stereotypically, pirate captains who wish to show off their wealth. Parrots also possess the incredibly rare ability to use their necks and beaks as limbs.

## **Morphology**

Parrot species vary in size greatly, from about 3 inches to over 3 feet in length. Nevertheless, the most obvious physical features within most parrot species is the strong, curved, bill. Unlike some birds, it is not directly fused to the skull, which allows it to move independently and provides the parrot with tremendous bite pressure. Some parrots additionally have a strong tongue, which allows them to manipulate seeds or positions nuts in order to crack them open. Parrot heads are typically large, with eyes positioned at the sides of the head.

Parrots have strong feet with sharp, elongated claws, which are used for climbing and swinging more often than fighting. Most species are able to use their feet to manipulate objects, in a similar manner to how a person would.

   Cockatoo species have a mobile crest of feathers on the tops of their heads, which they use for display. No other parrots can do this, but some are known to ruffle their feathers in an attempt to mimic such a feature. Some species might instead have a frill which, though different, functions in a very similar way. For the most part, the most prominent colouration in parrots is green, though most species have red or some other colour as well. Cockatoos, however, are different - typically being some variation of white or black. Some can also be red, pink, or yellow.

## **Distribution and Habitat**

Parrots are found on all tropical and subtropical regions in Magnula. Although, a large majority seem to come from the Tekunatin region specifically - though different parts are home to different species.

Some parrots, although only a few species, inhabit cooler and more temperate parts of the world. In more recent history, as the domestic pet trade expanded, introducing parrots to new areas, their range in more temperate environments has increased. There are now stable parrot populations in several areas that are not naturally home to them, including some parts of The Impireacht and the Plains of Plutus. These birds have proven to be surprisingly successful.

Few parrots are wholly sedentary, but neither are they fully migratory. Most fall somewhere between the two, making poorly understood regional movements that somewhat resemble nomadic lifestyles. Only a few species practice actual migration behaviours.

## **Behaviour**

Parrot behaviour is actually incredibly difficult to both analyse and summarise, purely because the different species tend to vary wildly. As a result, there are many gaps in knowledge of parrot behaviour - though there are some common patterns. Most species spend much time perched in tree canopies. They often use their bills for climbing. When walking, they often move with a rolling gait.

### **Diet**

The typical diet for most parrots consists of seeds, nuts, fruit, nectar, pollen, buds, and occasionally animal prey - usually insects. The most important of these for most parrots are seeds and nuts; the large and powerful bill of the parrot being specifically evolved for the consumption of these things.

Some parrots, such as lorikeets, are primarily nectar consumers and have tongues that are designed to collect it.

Some parrot species prey on animals, especially insects and larvae. Some species, however rare, will even target larger prey - including others birds.

### **Breeding**

With a few exceptions, parrots are monogamous breeders who nest in cavities and hold no territory outside of their nesting site. Bonds formed between breeding pairs are strong and a pair will remain close even during nonbreeding season. Bond formation is usually preceded by courtship displays, the specifics of which varies from species to species.

Only a few species of parrot nest in trees, and fewer still nest on the ground. All other parrots nest in cavities, either tree hollows or cavities dug into cliffs, banks, or the ground. In larger species, competition for viable nesting cavities is often intense and fierce. Some species are colonial but this social structure is not particularly common in parrots.

The eggs of parrots are white. In most species, the female undertakes all the incubation, but in some it is shared between both parents. Incubation varies from 17 to 35 days, with larger species having longer incubation periods. Newly born young are immature and often lack feathers. They will spend anywhere between 3 weeks to 4 months in the nest, depending on species.

### **Intelligence**

Parrots are considered one of the most intelligent bird species currently known. They possess the ability to understand and replicate speech and language, solve puzzles, and even use tools. Much of a parrots learning is done socially. Behaviour is learnt primarily from parents and siblings. Play is a vital component in many of these social dynamics.

Parrots are capable of imitating both speech and other sounds. Interestingly, parrots do not possess vocal chords. Sound is accomplished by expelling air from the windpipe. The sound is different depending on the depth and shape the of the windpipe. The reason as to why parrots imitate sound is still up to debate, and will likely never be solved.

Like many birds, parrots produce song. This done using air sacs and parrots can typically produce a variety of sounds. Some parrots have even been seen mimicking the songs of other bird types.

## **Relationship with Intelligent Races**

### **Pets**

Although parrots can be a very affectionate pet they often become aggressive when fully grown. They are also infamous for their loud and wild instincts such as screaming. Nevertheless, they are popular pets for people of practically all classes - although they are certainly more common amongst the nobility. These birds are often mistreated by their wealthy owners however, usually out of ignorance. For example, some owners have their parrots drink only coffee during long journeys, as they believe the water to be tainted. This is generally considered by contemporary academics to be incredibly unhealthy. Parrots are also popular pets, quite bizarrely, for pirates. This is a deeply-rooted cultural trend, but nobody really knows where it comes from.

The popularity of parrots as pets has led to a thriving - and often unethical - trade in the birds.

### **Culture**

Parrots have featured in writings, story, art, humour, religion, and music for thousands of years. Across history, parrots feathers have been used in ceremonies and for decoration. They also have a long history as pets and the larger species in particular are still considered a symbol of nobility or wealth in multiple places.

### **Feral Populations**

Escaped parrots of several species have become established in the wild outside of their natural ranges and in some cases outside the natural range of parrots entirely. These birds have proved surprisingly hardy at adapting to more temperate climates. Nevertheless, they sometimes multiply to the point of becoming a nuisance or pest, and a threat to local ecosystems.

## **Combat**

Parrots are mainly a skittish species. They prefer to flee rather than fight when the choice is available. Nevertheless, like any animal, there are circumstances in which a parrot will be forced into combat. This is usually in defence of a nesting site or their young. A parrot may also fight in defence of a food source, though this is significantly less likely. There are cases where domestic pet parrots have 'snapped' and aggressively turned on their owners, but these cases are often attributed to abuse and/or neglect of the bird rather than the bird's free will.

In a fight, a parrot will rely mainly on it's crushing bite force. Though powerful and can hypothetically crush bone, the reality is that parrots are too small to actually do any major damage to an overwhelming majority of people. What makes them particularly interesting, though, is their strange penchant for mockery and taunting. Bizarrely, this mockery is more common in a fight but a parrot can and often does throw insults at random - even outside of combat.

## **Variants**

Though the exact number of parrot species is unknown, there are many catalogued variations. Zoologists estimate that there are probably at least a few hundred individual species. Many of these species are found in the Tekunatin and Sunken Isles regions.

### **Baratarian Parrot**

The Baratarian parrot, also known at the rose-throated parrot, is a tiny-sized species of parrot. It is mainly green and found in the woodlands and dry forests of Barataria and it's surrounding islands. Although there have been small populations sighted in islands that are further afield, it is believed that these populations are not domestic and instead are the result of escaped subjects of the pet trade.

The Baratarian parrot is a tiny-sized species that grows to approximately 11-13 inches in length. It is mainly green with some blue feathers in its wings. It's lower face, chin, and throat are rosy pink (hence its second name) and its forehead and eye-rings are white. The specification colourations apart from key features vary from bird to bird.

Unsurprisingly, given its location in and around the pirate capital city, the Baratarian parrot is a popular choice of pet for pirates.