World Parrot Day

World Parrot Day is an annual celebration on May 31st to highlight the plight of wild parrots and raise awareness about the role of importing birds in causing this plight.

World Parrot Day is a warning about the threat to wild and captive parrots throughout the world. In fact, it is also a great chance to learn more about this intelligent and magnificent bird.

History of World Parrot Day

World Parrot Day was organized by the World Parrot Trust in 2004 to highlight the plight of wild parrots and raise awareness about the role imported birds play in causing this plight. Before the first watchdog session, the World Parrot Trust launched a petition calling on the European Union to ban the trade in wild birds in Europe, and the petition was received by tens of thousands of people from Dozens of countries signed. On the first World Parrot Day, zoos around the world marked the day and celebrities gathered in London's Trafalgar Square. The petition's supporters and their parrot friends marched from the square down to Downing Street to deliver it. Their efforts were successful in 2007. Today, World Parrot Day aims to highlight the threats faced by captive and wild parrots, as well as zoos and other animals. Other organizations organize special events around the world.

Founded in 1989, the World Parrot Trust is an organization that implements parrot protection programs both companion parrots and parrots that live in the wild. Their goal is to save wild parrots from extinction and ensure optimal care for companion parrots. When it comes to wild parrots, the World Parrot Trust gets involved in groundbreaking fieldwork, hands-on conservation programs, habitat protection, education and awareness programs, and lobbying for conservation, better protect parrots and assist with the rescue, rehabilitation and release of parrots caught in the illegal trade. When it comes to companion parrots, they support parrot owners by providing information on proper care, while encouraging the adoption and confinement of parrots from sanctuaries so that rescue facilities do not become overcrowded.

Parrots are the most endangered bird in the world. They have to face habitat loss and thousands of them are trapped and sold into the pet trade per year. More than half of the captured parrots die before being exported from the country where they are captured. And while many of the millions of parrots kept as companion pets live long with caregivers who know how to properly care for them, others fail to thrive because of their living conditions.

More than 350 species of birds are considered parrots, including macaws, macaws, parakeets, lovebirds, lorikeets, parakeets, and Amazon parrots. All parrots have curved beaks and are zygodactyls, which mean they have four toes on each foot with two forward and two backward. Each species has a different size. The smallest is the dwarf parrot, about 3 inches tall and 0.4 ounces in weight. The heaviest is the kakapo, up to 9 pounds.

Parrots can be found in most of the warm climates of the world. They are most common in Central America, South America and Australasia. There are several "cold-tolerant" parrots, such as the thick-billed parrot, the horned parrot, and the chestnut-fronted parrot. Their lifespan can up to 80 years in the wild. They tend to live in groups. Many species live in monogamy, staying with one partner for life. They lay eggs, often in nests, and the parents raise the offspring together. Seeds, nuts, buds, flowers, fruits and small organisms such as insects are the foods of choice.

Amazon parrots, macaws, macaws, macaws and parakeets are among the most commonly kept as pets. Parrots have appeal as pets because they are musical, intelligent, colorful, and engaging. Some can mimic human voices. The African Gray Parrot is the most linguistically fluent. Parrots can also imitate other sounds. Whether they are in the wild or are companion pets, the threats parrots face today are highlighted on World Parrot Day.

How to celebrate World Parrot Day

The World Parrot Trust (WPT), located in London, organizes a series of events on this day. Some of them are taken place at zoos across the UK. Zoos in other countries, such as the United States and New Zealand, also encourage the public to visit their parrot shows.

Participation:

• Check out these parrots at your local zoo or bird sanctuary.
• Learn more about the different types of parrots.
• Make donation to a parrot conservation organization or parrot rescue group.
• Watch parrot nature documentaries, such as “Parrot Confidential”.
• Read about these famous parrots: Snowball the dance parrot and Poll, President Andrew Jackson's bilingual parrot.
• Share your favorite parrot photos, videos or stories on social media with #WorldParrotDay