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Psittaciformes:
Parrots or Psittacines (pronounced /ˈsɪtəˌsaɪnz/) is an order (namely Psittaciformes) of birds that includes about 353 species. They are usually grouped into two families: the Cacatuidae (cockatoo), and the Psittacidae (true parrots). All members of the order have a characteristic curved beak shape with the upper mandible having slight mobility in the joint with the skull and a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, with two toes at the front of each foot and two at the back. Parrots can be found in most warm regions of the world, including India, southeast Asia and west Africa. The Carolina Parakeet, now extinct, lived in the United States. By far the greatest number of parrot species come from Australasia, South America, and Central America. |
