African Grey Parrots, a medium-sized parrot native to the forests of central Africa, are some of the best mimics in the bird world. In the wild, this species often copies the sounds of other animals in the forest. Around people, they may learn to copy a variety of sounds including laughter, a phone ringing, whistling, human speech, and many other sounds. Two African Grey Parrots roosting in Zaire were reported by researchers to have a repertoire of over 200 different sounds, including nine imitations of other wild bird songs and even one of a bat! This species is widely believed the be one of the most intelligent bird species. African Greys can live to be 60 years old. While their charismatic personalities and mimicry make them popular, they can be very challenging to keep as pets. This species is vulnerable to the illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss and destruction.

Blue-fronted Amazon parrots are loud, social, and intelligent birds that live in family groups in their native South American habitats. They are cavity nesters, and rely on old-growth forested areas for breeding. Like all parrots, Blue-fronted Amazons have the ability to mimic different sounds in their environment—an ability that varies widely between individual birds. Their social nature makes them popular pets, but they can be difficult to keep as pets. While they are one of the most abundant Amazon parrot species in South America, they are vulnerable to the illegal wildlife trade.

The Blue-throated Macaw is identified by its blue throat patch, reddish facial skin, and entirely blue wings. This striking bird is often found alongside a bird similar in appearance with a much wider range: the Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna). The beautiful Blue-throated Macaw is a Critically Endangered species, once thought to be extinct in the wild. In 1992, a small population of 50 Blue-throated Macaws was discovered in a remote part of Bolivia; recent surveys estimate that as many as 300 birds remain. This species’ population numbers declined drastically throughout the 20^th century due to trapping for the illegal wildlife trade. Today, the remaining Blue-throated Macaws face loss of habitat, and significant conservation efforts are underway to enlist the help of local Bolivians in the effort to save this species.

The Green-winged Macaw (also called the Red-and-green Macaw) is a large parrot, second only to the Hyacinth Macaw in size. This species range is also large, spanning eastern Panama to Paraguay. The Green-winged Macaw’s band of green feathers on its wings and the presence of fine, tiny red feathers on its white face distinguish it from the similar Scarlet Macaw. It has an extremely powerful bill, which it uses to easily crack open hard-shelled nuts like Brazil nuts. Unlike many parrot species, Green-winged Macaws are not great imitators. Although not globally threatened, the Green-winged Macaw is generally uncommon, with pairs frequently solitary and dispersed. This species has a shrinking range, with population declines at the edges of its range.

The Hyacinth Macaw is a beautiful inhabitant of várzea, savanna, palm-savannas, and similar habitats adjacent to tropical forests in central and eastern South America. These intelligent and social birds are sometimes known as “gentle giants” for their gentle personalities and their large size. They are the largest macaw species, with strong beaks to match: some Hyacinth Macaws have beaks strong enough to crack open a coconut! They are especially adept at opening notoriously tough palm nuts. In response, palm trees have evolved to produce harder and harder nuts, but Hyacinth Macaws are evolving bigger beaks with each generation. Like all parrots, Hyacinth Macaws are great imitators and can mimic human speech. Fewer than 6,500 Hyacinth Macaws remain in the wild, as the species is vulnerable to the illegal pet trade, habitat loss, and hunting.

The Meyer’s Parrot (also called the Brown Parrot), is a species native to tropical Africa, found throughout scrub, savanna, palm grove, and subtropical woodland habitats. This species relies on old-growth areas with large trees, because it nests in the excavated cavities left by woodpeckers. While the Meyer’s Parrot is similar to other parrots in its diet of fruit and seeds, it has also been observed eating the flowers of some trees and shrubs. This parrot is considered an agricultural pest because of the damage it can do to ripening food crops. Meyer’s Parrot populations are stable, given their large population and their wide range.

The Military Macaw, a parrot species with a fragmented range running from Mexico to northwest Argentina, is a playful and inquisitive bird. Each Military Macaw has a unique pattern of feathers on its face, similar to a human fingerprint. They also have incredible vision and are able to see colors on the ultraviolet spectrum that humans cannot. They can fly distances of 15 miles each day to feed on a variety of palm nuts, seeds, and figs. Like Hyacinth Macaws, Military Macaws will lick clay to detoxify poisonous substances in their diets. Despite the extensive range of this macaw, their populations are isolated by fragmented habitat, and local losses of populations are likely due to the illegal pet trade. Habitat loss continues to impact populations of the Military Macaw.

The Palm Cockatoo has the largest bill of any parrot (except for the Hyacinth Macaw), and it uses its powerful bill to eat very hard seeds and nuts that other species can’t access, like palm nuts. They are also among the loudest of all parrots, and communicate by whistling contact calls, stomping noisily on their perches, and drumming loudly against trees with a stick. This drumming display can be used to signify their territory to other Palm Cockatoos, but is also performed at the nest site as a courtship display! Before breeding season begins, a pair of Palm Cockatoos may construct multiple nests. Some are used exclusively for display purposes.

Rainbow Lorikeets couldn’t have a more appropriate name. These small, active parrots are among the most brightly colored in the bird world – as though someone used a whole box of crayons while designing them! Lorikeets are native to Australia and eastern Indonesia, where they live in large, noisy flocks. Nectar from blooming trees such as the eucalyptus, African Tulip-tree and cheesewood is an important food source for lorikeets. As a result, lorikeets are an important pollinator for these and other trees. Lorikeets will also eat figs, apples, and sorghum, and sometimes papaya and mango fruits which have already had their tough skins opened by fruit bats. Because of this, they are sometimes considered a crop pest by farmers with orchards.

The National Aviary is home to two of the many subspecies of Rainbow Lorikeet: the Swainson’s (Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus) and the Edward’s (T. haematodus capistratus). The Swainson’s Rainbow Lorikeet (native to Eastern Australia and Tasmania) is mostly green, but with a deep blue head, a yellowish collar, and a red chest. The Edward’s (native to the Lesser Sunda Islands north of Australia) is almost a faded version of the Swainson’s, with a head gently shaded by blue and a striking yellow front.  In fact, some sources argue for renaming the Edward’s Rainbow Lorikeet the Marigold Lorikeet and making it a separate species.

The dazzling Red-fronted Macaw has brilliant green feathers on its body, blue feathers on its wings, and red patches of feathers on its forehead and shoulders that give it its name. This species has a small and limited range in Bolivia in an arid, mountainous habitat. It feeds on cactus, legumes, and seeds. The Red-fronted Macaw is vulnerable to habitat loss as native forests are converted for agricultural use, and it also faces threats from deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade. This species is Critically Endangered, with less than 200 remaining in the wild.

Scarlet Macaws are a striking bird, known for their deep red coloring and white faces. In their tropical evergreen habitats, they can often be seen flying in pairs or in family groups. Their calls can be loud and harsh, and Scarlet Macaws in human care can sometimes mimic human speech. They have powerful beaks and strong feet built for grasping. While not globally threatened, habitat loss and trapping for the illegal wildlife trade are concerns for this species.

The Sun Conure, also called a Sun Parakeet, is a beautiful, distinctive small parrot with bright coloring, native to a small region of northeastern South America. Sun Conures are social and intelligent, noted for their loud calls. Their beauty makes them a highly prized pet, but leaves them extremely vulnerable to the illegal wildlife trade. Habitat loss and trapping for the illegal wildlife trade has driven their numbers down, with fewer than 2,000 still existing in the wild.