Psittaciformes

Psittaciformes is an order of birds that includes parrots, macaws, parakeets and cockatoos. The group comprises three extant families: Psittacidae (true parrots), Psittaculidae (Old World parrots), and Cacatuidae (cockatoos). Members are widely recognized for their strong, curved bills, zygodactyl feet (two toes forward and two backward), and often bright plumage. They are highly social and many species are known for vocal learning, sometimes mimicking sounds from their environment.

Geographically, Psittaciformes are found in tropical and subtropical regions across Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australasia. They occupy a range of habitats from dense forests to savannas and urban areas. Most species nest in hollows of trees, and a smaller number in crevices or cliffs.

Diet is varied, with seeds, fruits, nuts, flowers and nectar forming the primary components; some species also consume foliage. The bill is adapted for cracking kernels and extracting seeds, while the feet aid climbing and manipulation of food. Reproduction is typically monogamous; clutches commonly contain several eggs, and both parents incubate and feed the young, which fledge after weeks to months depending on the species.

Conservation concerns center on habitat loss and capture for the pet trade. Many Psittaciformes are listed by the IUCN as threatened or near threatened. Conservation measures include habitat protection, legal regulation of trade (CITES), and captive breeding programs, though the status varies widely among species.