Parrot Anatomy Basics

Parrots are primarily arboreal, diurnal birds found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Parrots belong to Order Psittaciformes and are divided into three families. There are over 350 species of psittacine birds or parrots. If you are comfortable with the basic principles of avian anatomy and physiology, then you are well on your way to understanding psittacine birds. LafeberVet has listed 16 interesting facts about parrot anatomy and physiology that may serve you well during physical examination, clinical care, and/or necropsy. This post also brief describes the Quaker or monk parrot as well as unique features of . . .


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References

  1. Altman RB, Clubb SL, Dorrestein GM, Quesenberry K (eds). Avian Medicine and Surgery. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1997:  387-393, 412-419, 517-523, 540-547, 661.
  2. Brouwer K, Jones ML, King CE, Schifter H. Longevity records for Psittaciformes in captivity. International Zoo Yearbook. 2000; 37(1):299-316.
  3. Department of Conservation. Kākāpō Recovery website. Available at https://www.doc.govt.nz/kakapo-recovery. Accessed July 13, 2022.
  4. Heatley JJ, Cornejo J. Psittaciformes. In: Miller RE, Fowler ME (eds). Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Volume 8. 2015: 172-185.
  5. King AS, McLelland J. Form and Function in Birds. London: Academic Press; 1981. Available at https://wildbirdvet.com/2019/07/29/birds-their-structure-function/.
  6. König HE, Korbel R, Liebich HG (et al). Avian Anatomy: Textbook and Colour Atlas. Sheffield: 5M Publishing, 2016.
  7. McLelland J. A Color Atlas of Avian Anatomy. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1991. Available at https://wildbirdvet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Color-Atlas-of-Avian-Anatomy-McLelland.pdf.
  8. Schmidt RE, Reavill DR. A Practitioner’s Guide to Avian Necropsy. Lake Worth: Zoological Education Network; 2003.
  9. Toft CA, Wright TF. Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World’s Most Captivating Birds. Oakland: University of California Press; 2015: 75.
  10. Whiteway C. Strigops habroptila Animal Diversity Web. 2001. Available at http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Strigops_habroptila/.Accessed July 9, 2016.
  11. Wildscreen Arkive. Kakapo (Strigops habroptila). Arkive website. Available at http://www.arkive.org/kakapo/strigops-habroptila/. Accessed July 9, 2016.

 

Further reading 

Clench MH, Mathias JR. The avian cecum:  A review. Wilson Bull. 1995;107(1):93-121.

Klasing KC. Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system. In: Comparative avian nutrition. 1998; New York: CABI Publishing.

Proszkowiec-Weglarz M. Gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology. In: Scanes CG (ed). Sturkie’s Avian Physiology, 7th 2022. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier Academic Press.

To cite this page:

Pollock C. Parrot Anatomy Basics. July 13, 2022. LafeberVet web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/parrot-anatomy-basics/