Psittacidae - SpeedyLook encyclopedia

The Psittacidés form one of Oiseau X tropical commonly named Perroquet S, this term indicating also more particularly certain species. They have very marked and rather homogeneous characters which make it possible to identify them easily.

Of a intelligence recognized, certain species are capable of remarkable vocalizations, able to imitate the human voice. Because of these characteristics and colors chatoyantes of their plumage, many species are high like pet of which some, rare and protected, are the subject of important traffics.

The order of the Psittaciformes is regarded today as Monotypique, the taxon of the Cacatuidea being now integrated into that of Psittacidés.

Systematic and taxonomy

The term to indicate this group of birds derives from the Latin Psittacus , term which would be a deformation of Sittace, a town of Assyrie where species of psittacidés lived. Old the vernacular Name to indicate the order was Papegeai, today this term at summer replaced by Perroquet, but this term appears vague for many species because the terms Cacatoès and Perruche are well-known.

The order of Psittaciformes was traditionally composed of at least two or three S the psittacidés , Cacatuidés, and Loriidés by some authors. However the classification of the Psittaciformes knew very many modifications throughout the 20th century and the position Phylogénétique of all the species or subspecies is not yet perfectly known. The written lists can thus have many differences according to the authors. Today, as the Taxonomic Advisory Committee recommends it, the former family of Cacatuidés is very often regarded as subfamily of that of psittacidés, single from now on within the order, under the name of the Cacatuinae . Moreover the phylogenetic position within Psittaciformes of some fossils not belonging to the family of the Psittacidae is discussed. The phylogenetic tree, according to the taxonomy of Mayr, 2002 thus breaks up in the following form:

└─o Psittaciformes ├─o Pseudasturidae (extinct) └─o ├─o Psittacopes (extinct) ├─o Quercypsittidae (extinct) └─o Psittacoidea , Psittacidae sensu traditionalis ├─o │ ├─? Strigopinae │ ├─? Nestorinae │ ├─o Micropsittinae │ └─o Psittacinae └─o ├─o Loriinae └─o Cacatuinae ├─o Nymphicinae └─o Cacatuidae

Psittacidés gather 340 species approximately bearing of the vernacular names such as the terms loris, coryllis or Loricule S, Loriquet S, Psittrichas, Nestor S, Strigops, Micropsitte S, Psittacule S, parakeets, pallets, éclectus, Coryllis, Inséparable S, Perroquet S, Ara S, Conure S or perriches, Toui S, caïque S, Pione S, the Amazon S, Papegeai, Crick while cacatuidés the 20 to 25 species of Cacatoès gathered.

In this taxonomy, the family of psittacidés is it even divided into eight subfamilies ( Nestorinae , Strigopinae , Psittrichadinae , Loriculinae , Micropsittinae , Cacatuinae , Loriinae , Psittacinae ). In the Classification of Howard and Moore, the order is divided into the family of the Cacatuidae and that of the Psittacidae . The latter itself is divided into six subfamily of which some are found in other classification like Lorinés, Nestorinés, Strigopinés, Micropsittinés but also in particular subfamilies, Platycercinae , Arinae . In the systematic one about Psittaciformes is divided into three families and six subfamilies: families of the Cacatuidae , the Loriidae (Loris and Loriquets) and of the Psittacidae (Parrots and Parakeets).

The fossils discovered and the estimates obtained thanks to the genetic datings do not make it possible into 2007 to include/understand phylogeny well and especially to know with precision when the divergences, within this order, took place. Recent studies like that on DNA mitochondrial of 1998 or that of the sexual chromosomes Spinlin in 2005 do not make it possible to conclude with certainty. Indeed, the lack of paleontological data does not allow not gauged precisely these evolutions, the presence of evolutionary Convergence marked implies a late radiation or the very particular distribution of its birds can be in contradiction with these studies. These studies suggest that the Strigopinae , Nestorinae on the one hand and the Cacatuinae on the other hand diverged rather early from the Psittacinae . Moreover, the evolutionary divergences would have occurred that over one short period, during the Eocene . Neither the Cacatuinae , nor the Loriinae are evolutions also important only the systematicians thought it.

Cacatuinés

Loriinés

Longevity

A corrugated Perruche can live up to 15 years, whereas the other species of the same family can still live longer like the Gray of Gabon, Amazones or Macaw which can live up to 60 years or more.

Behavior

The Psittacidae are gregarious animals . It pass much from time to to maintain their plumage but it melts it only when it feels safe, any stress inhibits this behavior.

Many species must drink regularly, in the arid areas, they are found in group of thousands of individuals of the same species, around water point where they also bathe. The species of the wet forests tropical draw aside their wings when it rains. When the rains are rare, certain species as the corrugated parakeets rub against the morning dew.

Their nozzle is not used to them solely as breakage nut, it is used to them for example to be cleaned (smoothing of the feathers, cuts Griffe,…). The domesticated nozzle also an effective weapon of defense and specimens can seriously bite. Moreover, practically all the species make use of it as of a third leg when they have need for moved in the trees when they do not have the possibility of flying. They also make use of their legs to scrape itself, to maintain their feathers or to clean their nozzle what implies a great dexterity.

Communication

Living for the majority in colony, the Psittacidae developed aptitudes particular to communicate. The principal means are the body singing exercises and attitudes. Thus they express the pleasure, fright, anger, the hunger or tiredness, and claim attention. In the birds, the body to produce the sounds is called the Syrinx. At these species, it is particularly developed. The syrinx is associated with seven muscles of the neck, which is the record of the avian class. Many species have the capacity to imitate the way human. To be able to speak implies to have bodies specialized to produce the sound but also a neurological system power station elaborate because it is necessary to control these bodies with a high degree of accuracy. They must also know to listen and memorize, to compare their production with what they hear. It seems that the majority of the Psittacidae do not imitate the sounds in their natural environment, although gray parrots were observed by imitating the song of other birds for the period of reproduction. All the species do not have the same capacities on the matter, and for each species, the differences in capacities can be important between individuals. The gray Perroquet is the most famous species on the matter. The reason for which they imitate the sounds is not really known but the most common explanation is that they thus mislead their trouble and their loneliness in captivity. The singing exercises, in their natural environment, enable them to remain in liaison with their entourage when they are not seen. So that they speak, it is essential to separate the bird from its congeneric.

All the body attitudes do not have the same significance at all the species, but there exist similarities for certain basic behaviors. On their premises, the need for communication is innate. They can supplemented their modes with small animals as of the Arthropode S. the Brotogeris will chrysoptera consumes Escargot S, the Kéa consume corpses of vertebrate or kill even out of chicks of Pétrel S for example. The Kakariki of Antipodes, although for herbivorous half, supplements its food mode with corpses, eggs of penguins, chicks of petrels killed with the nest, Océanite with gray tail which incubate.

As the gangues of seeds are often toxic, and as for all the birds are particularly sensitive to the poisons, the Psittacidae are careful. They remove with precaution the gangues before introducing seeds. Many species are géophages, the clay containing of the minerals which neutralize toxins contained in their intestine.

Reproduction

Although there exist some exceptions, the Psittacidae are monogamists. They consider for territory only the site of their own nest. They convent almost all in height, in holes of tree, cliffs or termitières. Only five species of Inseparable and the widowed conures build Nid S in the trees while three species Australasien born nest with same the ground. The females lay white eggs, the convents generally only while being nourished by the male. Some species the bottom couples some in turn. The small ones are Nidicole S. the female remains with the nest one or two weeks until the feathers Tectrice S make it possible chick not to suffer from the cold. The chicks tighten the ones against the others, like protecting itself from the cold. In captivity, they put up with Nichoir.

The Arini are great species with a low level of reproduction, they follow a strategic model said K. These species need several years to become ripe and raise only one or two young people per annum, sometimes even, they do not reproduce each year.

Chorology

The Psittacidae are not good seed centrifugal spreaders.

Distribution

If the species of this kind are originally distributed in all the tropical zone , it is in Amazonia and Australasia that their diversity is most important. One however finds of it in Central America, in the remainder of the of the South, in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Several species (like the Conure widow and the Parakeet with collar) also train from now on viable populations in Europe and with the the United States (of which Spain, France, Belgium) starting from escaped birds of captivity. Certain species naturally live in the moderate zones such as for example the Conure with head yellow, now extinct, in North America. Certain species live in subalpine zones and even with very high-altitudes (with more than 6000 m in the the Andes or the the Himalayas).

They are forest birds mainly , which one also meets in the Savane; some species attend Milieu X more open. Certain species are exclusively sedentary, others can be more or less migrating. Certain species are territorial the different one adopt an entirely wandering lifestyle.

A kind can be present on two zones Kind whose species meet in écozones Eurasian and in afrotropicale
Kind whose species meet in écozones Eurasian and in indo-malaise
Kind whose species meet of the two with dimensions ones of the Ligne Wallace

History of the order

Evolutionary history

Two assumptions, very different have course on the origin of the order:

The paleontological discoveries suggest that the order would have appeared on the Gondwana but the little of Fossile discovered does not make it possible to slice with certainty.

According to the phylogenetic Classification of Sibley and Monroe of 1990, the Psittaciformes would have evolved/moved starting from common ancestor with the Columbiformes , them even advanced of common ancestor from which the Charadriiformes result and finally starting from ancestors commun run with the Ciconiiformes .

A fragment of 15 millimetres of nozzle (UCMP 143274) discovered in the Comté of Niobrara in Wyoming, dated from the end of the Crétacé there are 70 My, was regarded as the oldest fossil of Psittacidea . It is acted in fact of a théropode Caenagnathidae - an not-avian dinosaur provided with a nozzle.

Oldest Fossile S of Psittaciformes was discovered in Europe and dated from the Eocene , there are 50 My. Several fossils of skeleton, rather complete, and similar to the Psittacidae were found in England and Germany. It is probable however that these birds are not the direct ancestors of the Psittacoidae i.e. the modern Psittacidae , but of the independent and extinct lines which evolved/moved in the Northern Hemisphere.

The first fossils of Psittacidae date from 23 to 20 My, during the Miocène, and are also European. Little fossil of interest was found for the the Southern hemisphere, oldest going back to 20 My. Let us tax according to, dated Miocène, are probably Psittacoidea

Archaeopsittacus (fine of the Oligocène, beginning of Miocene)
Xenopsitta (beginning of Miocene, Czech Republic)
Bavaripsitta (Medium of Miocene, Steinberg in Germany)
Pararallus (Miocene medium, France)

Some let us tax them according to are not unanimously to regard as Psittaciformes :

Palaeopsittacus (beginning or medium of the Eocene of the western north of Europe)
Pulchrapollia (beginning of the Eocene)

Domestication

Testimonys of Domestication in India goes back to the O C. These animals then seem hieroglyphic sign starting from -360 front J. - C.. The first Psittacidae with being imported into Europe thereafter of Alexandre Large the and were named in its memory Perruche Alexandre. These animals testified to the richness of their owner. The possession of parrots was not rare any more under Tibère. With the Pline Old the with described a technique of training of the word to the parakeets with collar. Written at the 13th century, the Masnavi, a document afgan, details a technique using a mirror to learn how to speak with the Psittacidae .

These birds were forgotten in Occident which them redécouvre at the time of the Croisades. European explorations, like that of Marco Polo and the conquest of Americas, also gave the opportunity to the Westerners to discover other species. At the end of the 18th century, European discovers Australia and the great diversity of his species. Since the Middle Ages, these birds are been essential towards Europe then Europe and the United States and these imports one strongly to increase since the Années 1970 so much so that the massive taking away of wild parrots on the European markets took part in the disappearance of certain species and that others are threatened of extinction. The Ara of Spix probably disappeared in a wild state, the only specimens living known being today captive macaws.

Species in extension

Certain specimens in captivity are escaped and are become again wild in zones where they were not originating. The first species known to be itself acclimatized is the Perruche pompadour Fiji in the south of the Tonga, before even the arrival of James Cook in 1770. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the countries of north are concerned because, mainly, of accidental or voluntary releases by negligent owners or zoological gardens, but also because of accidents of transport, including plane. The specimens, once free, reconstitute colonies which, today, manage to live downtown. Observations of marronage in the cities of the United States, more precisely Florida, Texas and California date of the Years 1950. During the Years 1980, one observed the same phenomenon in Europe i.e. Spain, France and even Belgium. The Australia is particularly touched. All these populations acclimatized to north show one surprising resistance and they adapted so well that they can represent a threat on the ecosystem S buildings. Some are regarded as invasive like the Conure widow.

The maroon populations of Psittacidae are not protected in the United States.

Extinct and threatened species

According to IUCN, twenty species were declared extinct in 2001. The Ara of Spix ( Cyanopsitta spixii ) is extinct in a wild state but individuals still live in captivity. 17 species are regarded as in critical danger of extinction. So with the court of this decade, the imports fed mainly the North-American market, Europe and Japan is the two main markets since the Années 2000. It is estimated that in 2000, close to: 500000 birds, especially originating in Asia, were sold. The taking away, of let us oisillons to be domesticated in the long term, are surely more important still, about: 800000, because mortality is high. These traffics generate considerable sums and carry seriously reached to certain species since 30% of the 140 alive species in America are threatened. Close to: 10000 specimens of blue Ara were captured only in the Années 1980, so that it remains about it today less than this number in freedom. These sales, and the traffics, are maintained by the fact that on the one hand these birds reproduce often badly in captivity and on the other hand that these birds can be worth expensive.

The legislation

Many species of Psittacidés are placed under the appendix I and II of the QUOTE since March 1973. The majority of the representatives of the family of Psittacidés are classified in this appendix II. The Parakeet with pink collar is only representing with being aimed by the appendix III. Only certain varieties of psittacidés are recognized like domestic by the French legislation in the official list of the French Department of the Environment.

Many countries, whose Australia since 1960, prohibit exports. Moreover, of many purchasing countries, like theplain ones since 1992, prohibit the importation. Europe with authorized, until in 2007 and the crisis of the Avian flu, the importation of certain species while limiting the imports of wild specimens per fear of disease. Since then any importation is prohibited. The specimens of species raised in captivity successfully must be equipped with an irremovable ring of identification which carry the name of the stockbreeder and the year of birth of the bird. In the event of absence of ring, the bird is regarded as savage and thus illegally held.

The majority of the legally sold specimens result from breedings. However, in 2007, the traffics perdures. Between: 1600000 and: 3200000 wild birds are captured in the Années 1990 of which nearly 25% are Psittacidea . In 1996, Tino Silva, the director of most important the Loro Parks Europe, to Tenerife, was condemned to the United States in 82 months from prison and 100000 [[American dollar $]] of fine to have sold blue Aras illegally. This business was the occasion to reinforce control on the trade of the birds.

Species in breeding

Protection

Diseases

Because of domestication, the diseases of this family are well-known. The diffusion of these diseases is accelerated by transport. The Ornithose, more specifically named psittacosis for this order is a respiratory disease of most widespread. The Disease of the nozzle and the feathers or the Dilatation of the proventricule is emergent diseases rather specific to the Psittacidea . Certain diseases can also be related to the Stress like the chronic Picage. These birds are also preys many external or internal parasites.

Culture

These birds are known and fascines the men by their colors, their intelligence and their aptitude for speaking since centuries. Amerindian religious symbol with the representation of the human condition in the European medieval literature, always left traces in the human culture. The culture Moche venerated these birds and created many artefact with their effigy.

Today, they are of course present in the ornithological magazines and amateurs of pets, but they are also used like Mascotte S or Logo S.

See too

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