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EARTH
SCIENCES
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Psittaciformes
Amazona
amazonica (Orange-wing)
Image-Terri Brittin
Introduction
There
are over 360 known species
of parrot and as well as being fascinating creatures,
capable
of highly intelligent behaviour, they are also the most regularly kept
birds in captivity. Easily identified by their large head
and characteristic bill, parrots are considered to be a monophyletic
group, meaning they're all the descendants of a common ancestor. Unlike any other members of the animal class Aves, parrots
are the only birds to possess highly opposable zygodactyl feet and
unique
pigments contained within their feathers.
Due to the immense demand for
them in
the illegal pet trade and continuous habitat destruction, almost the
entire Psittaciformes order is threatened by the risk of extinction in the
wild. Considering
all of this, it is surprising that very little scientific research has
been
carried out based on the biology of Psittaciformes,
compared with other
animals similar in cognitive abilities, and much of their evolutionary
history
at the present time remains a mystery.
Author:
Terri Brittin
Last updated 17/11/2006
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produced by students on the MSc
Palaeobiology programme in the Department of Earth
Sciences at the University of Bristol for the academic year
2006 -7