Psittacus is an African parrot genus in the subfamily of Psittacinae . It contains two species: the gray parrot ( Psittacus erithacus ) and the Timneh parrot ( Psittacus timneh ).
Over the years, gray parrots and parrot Timneh are classified as subspecies; the first as its nomination, the latter as P. e. timneh . However, in 2012 the taxa is recognized as a separate species by BirdLife International based on genetic, morphological, feather and vocal differences.
This beo is found in primary and secondary rain forests in West and Central Africa. They are among the most intelligent birds in the world. They feed primarily on palm nuts, seeds, fruits, and leaf matter, but have also been observed eating snails. Their tendency and ability to imitate speech and other sounds has made them popular pets.
Video Psittacus
Taxonomy and systematics
Two species are accepted:
- Gray parrot , Congo gray parrot , African gray parrot or Congo gray parrot, African ash ( Psittacus erithacus , formerly Psittacus erithacus erithacus ):
It is a nominating species, larger than Timneh with a length of about 33 cm (13 inches), with bright gray feathers, cherry red tails, and a black beak. The immature birds of this species have darker dark red tails toward the tip (Juniper and Parr 1999) until their first moult, which occurs at 18 months of age. These birds also initially had a gray iris, which turned into a pale yellow color at the time of a year old bird. The gray Kongo parrot is found on the islands of PrÃÆ'ncipe and Bioko, and is distributed from southeastern Ivory Coast to western Kenya, northwestern Tanzania, southern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and northern Angola. In aviculture, it is often called "CAG". - Parrot Timneh or Timneh African gray parrot ( Psittacus timneh , formerly Psittacus erithacus timneh ): > The Timneh parrot has a slightly smaller size than the Congo, but the intelligence and the ability to speak can still be compared. They can range from about 22-28 cm in total length, and are considered a medium-sized parrot. The timneh has a darker gray charcoal color, a darker maroon tail, and a light, horn-colored area to the upper part of the jaw. A parrot is endemic to the west of the wet Upper Guinea forest and borders on West Africa's savannahs from Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and southern Mali to at least 70 km (43 mi) east of the Bandama River in Ivory Coast. This is often called "TAG". As pets, Timneh usually starts learning to speak earlier than Congos as they mature a little earlier. Timneh parrots also have a less nervous reputation around foreigners and new situations than the Congo, but whether this is true or not is still being debated. In 2012, BirdLife International provides full status Timneh parrot species and is classified as vulnerable.
Some aviculturalists recognize the third and fourth species, but these are indistinguishable in scientific studies.
Diseases and diseases
The gray parrot ( Psittacus erithacus ) has been known occasionally to develop non-inflammatory lung disease called lipid pneumonia. Lipid pneumonia can be classified as exogenous or endogenous depending on whether the animal is inhaling the material outside or not. A necropsy indicates that the lungs of a gray parrot with endogenous lipid pneumonia (EnLP) are corporations with gray spreading changes. EnLP is a common disease in other animals as well. Gray parrot is also one of three parrots found by scientists generally suffering from dehydration. Scientists have used plasma osmolality to find more information about the shape of gray dehydrated parrots. Another disease that gray parrot gained is cardiomyopathy which is a heart disease that usually arises at a young age. The reason is because of having parents of the same offspring. Some other common symptoms in this bird are weakness, coelomic cavity, and retardation. Gray parrots are known to have partial virus and fur virus (BFDV), which causes parasitic and psittacine diseases that are highly contagious and sometimes fatal, in parrots. In a PCR-based study, Chlamydiosis infectious disease from avians was found to infect gray parrots. In the study 253 clinical samples were taken from 27 bird species including seven orders. Thirty-two (12.6%) positive samples for Chlamydi and two new genotypes were found: Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydophila abortus . Another disease that the gray centipede generally suffers is the hypocalcemic-induced seizure activity. Birds between 2-15 years of age contract are centered around the lack of calcium. Symptoms of the syndrome can become unstable when standing or falling from the perch along with neurological anomalies or problems.
Maps Psittacus
Behavior and ecology
Breeding
Gray beo is a monogamous rancher nesting in the tree cavity. The female chickens lay eggs 3-5 eggs, which are incubated for 30 days when fed by their partner. Young leave the nest at the age of 12 weeks. Little is known about the dating behavior of this species in the wild.
Longevity
Like many large parrots, gray is a long-lived bird. The Animal Aging and Longevity Database reveal the longest reliable and longest life for species in captivity as 49.7 years. Also recognized are claims of gray prison parrots reaching the ages of 73 and 93, while the World Parrot Trust lists the longevity of 50-60 years for gray in captivity. The Guinness Book of World Records lists a gray parrot suspected of living in captivity for 72 years as the longest living specimen for the species.
Intelligence
Birds seem to offer, in their behavior, neurophysiology, and neuroanatomy, a surprising case of the evolution of parallel awareness. Evidence close to the level of human consciousness has been observed dramatically in African gray parrots.
Unlike other parrot birds, wild gray has been documented to mimic the calls of several other species.
Irene Pepperberg's research with gray prisoners, especially with a bird named Alex, has been scientifically demonstrated that they have the ability to associate simple human words with meaning, and to intelligently apply abstract concepts of shape, color, number, zero-sense, etc. According to Pepperberg and other ornithologists, they perform many cognitive tasks at levels of dolphins, chimpanzees, and even toddlers. As well as labeling objects, Alex can express what he wants, showing that the gray parrot knows the difference between features and feelings. In general, it has been shown that gray parrots can learn relatively quickly, although they are limited to simple and non-abstract thought. They have been shown to be able to make cognitive conclusions, but, like apes, have inter-individual differences in intelligence. For example, in an experiment involving food hidden beneath the cup, it appears that gray can identify where food is located, usually if it is indicated its original location at first.
Pet grays can learn to speak in their first year, but many do not say their first word until the age of 12-18 months. Timneh is generally observed to start talking before, some late in their first year. Both subspecies appear to have similar abilities and inclinations to produce human speech, but their vocal abilities and trends can vary greatly among individual birds. Gray beo tend to use more specific calls to different species coming in their way which can be known as stimulus specificity, because there is a vocalization of bird stimuli. One of the famous gray parrots is N'kisi, who in 2004 was said to have a vocabulary of more than 950 words and, like Pepperberg's Alex, is famous for the use of creative language. For example, when Jane Goodall visited N'kisi at her home in New York, she greeted him with "Have a chimpanzee?" because he had seen a picture of himself with chimpanzees in Africa.
A study published in 2011, led by Dalila Bovet of Paris West University Nanterre La DÃ © Ã © fense, shows gray parrots capable of coordinating and collaborating with one another to some extent. They are able to solve problems created by scientists - for example, two birds can pull the rope at the same time to get food. In another example, a bird stands on a perch to remove the tray of food, while another pulls the tray out of the test kits. Both will then feed. The birds are observed waiting for their partners to take the necessary action so that their behavior can be synchronized. The parrots seem to express the individual preferences for which test birds they will use.
In an experiment on local improvements in gray parrots, the food appears hidden under two separate cups. The experiment then lifts the first cup and removes what is beneath it or returns it. This was then performed again in several different combinations, the cups were removed in different order and the food was removed or re-entered in a different order. Instead of remembering which cup has food, the birds will show a preference on the last touched.
A series of other experiments tested the cognitive ability of gray parrots. In general, most animals can not connect sound with objects, such as food, placed into cups. Although initially only great apes and young human children are known to make this association easily, it is found that gray parrots, in many conditions, can also connect sound with the presence of an object. For the most part, gray parrots are done more successfully if the cup is shaken horizontally before being given the choice of picking the food contained, however, further experiments show that it is not a requirement and prove that gray parrots have very high cognitive abilities.
Sound
Wild gray beos often whistle, click, or make other sounds. The gray's owner should expect to hear microwave rendition, phone, alarm clock, video game, and other electronic sounds, as well as dripping water, wild birds, and other sounds that are often heard by parrots. Gray has even been known to repeat the profanity they hear from the owners even after they no longer live with the owner. Gray also has the ability to imitate, and distinguish between, the different sounds that they hear. Gray beo uses different alarm calls for different predators.
In an experiment to test the vocalization of gray parrots, four grew up in captivity housed in bird cages. Throughout the day they spend time in a room with toys and come to fairly regular contact with the humans who take care of them. The sounds that can be heard by this parrot consists of calling a canary in the laboratory, cleaning people, creaking doors, etc. In the next 3 years, this parrot makes more than 50,000 vocalizations. The interesting thing is that, although they grew up in captivity, the voices they create are not just from their immediate environment. They also make similar calls to other prisoner's gray parrots at different locations and even wild gray parrots.
Status and preservation
Rarer than previously believed, the gray is listed from the least-visited species to near threat in the IUCN Red List 2007. Recent analysis shows that up to 21% of the global population can be taken from the wild every year, especially for pet trade. In 2012, this species is further registered to be vulnerable. Because they are good at talking. This species is endemic in primary and secondary rainforests in West and Central Africa. Gray parrots rely on large and old trees for natural hollows they use for nesting. Studies in Guinea and Guinea-Bissau have found that the preferred gray nesting tree species are also the preferred species for wood. The relationship between species status and the status of primary forest is positive: where forests decline, so do gray parrot populations.
Gray parrots are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). This requires both exports accompanied by permits issued by national authorities and that findings are made that exports do not harm species in the wild. With a total export of over 350,000 specimens from 1994-2003, the gray parrot is one of the most traded species of CITES birds. In response to continued declining populations, exceeding quotas, and unsustainable and illegal trade (including among states), CITES incorporated the gray parrot in Phase VI of the Significant Critical Trade Show in 2004. This review has resulted in a quota recommendation zero exports to some states and CITES 'decision to develop a regional management plan for the species.
In the United States, imports of gray parrots caught in the wild are banned under the US Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992. In the EU, a 2007 EU Directive prevents this importation and other wild birds caught for pet trade.
Relationships with humans
Aviculture
This smart imitating can create attractive pets and parrot companions. They have a loyal following among the parrot owners. However, the same quality means they need a special commitment by their owners to often provide one-on-one and supervised interactions from their enclosures. They need to be stimulated and preoccupied by people and toys or they can become stressed and develop self-destructive behavior. Gray requires large cages, a variety of foods including fresh foods, and many safe and chewable toys. If not provided with these items, the parrot can quickly develop unpleasant behavior and eventually develop health problems (such as picking feathers) that are difficult to repair.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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