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Parrots are flock animals.
Some parrots flock in single species flocks (i.e., African Greys) and other
birds operate within mixed species flocks (i.e., Amazons, Conures and Macaws).
Different species can have different
social needs and behaviors as necessary for them to survive in their specific
habitat. Flock size can range from a few to several hundred
birds. Flock size can also vary throughout the day depending on the activity.
For example, flocks may break into smaller groups for
foraging and then recombine at night into larger roosting communities.
For prey
animals, living within the context of a flock is often necessary for survival.
A parrot derives it's greatest sense of physical and emotional security
from living within a flock. Parrots are rarely alone in the wild. A
parrot's survival instincts tells them that they are unsafe when they are alone.
A single parrot in the wild is likely a bird who is going to die because of
injury, illness or old age and who has been abandoned by the flock because he
presents a risk to their safety.
Flocks travel,
eat, play and roost together. It is very difficult for a lone bird to
simultaneously forage and watch for predators. While the flock
participates in group feeding activities there are many sentinels with their
eyes on the lookout for predators and at the ready to warn their flock mates.
Common
predators of parrots in the wild are hawks, eagles, owls, monkeys, snakes and
bats. By far, hawks present the greatest danger due to their
ability to swoop down on a parrot at speeds approaching 200 miles per
hour. However, it is much harder and confusing for a predator to
single out and attack an individual bird when it is moving as part of a group of
birds.
A typical daily
schedule for a flock of parrot's looks like:
-
Awaken
(just before dawn)
-
Fly to
foraging site (sunrise)
-
Rest,
groom, bathe, play (mid-day)
-
Return to
foraging site (afternoon)
-
Find
communal roosting site (just before sunset)
Besides
security, living as part of a flock offers many benefits including opportunities
for:
Parrots have
well developed communication skills and use many vocalizations to communicate
with their flock. Parrots use vocalizations to greet and acknowledge each
other and provide warnings if necessary. Their natural ability to
"learn" our language and interact vocally is one of our parrots most enduring
traits.
Because of
their instinctual need to be part of a flock, parrots love to be included in the
day to day activities of their human flock to the extent practicable and safe.
Including parrots in activities such as meals, showers or TV time will give them
a stronger sense of belonging.
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