Parrots belong to the Psittacidae family which, in turn, is subdivided into three distinct subfamilies: Lorinae, Cacatuinae and Psittacinae. Together, these three subfamilies comprise the more than 350 species of parrots that inhabit the planet. All species are monogamous, that is, they have a single partner throughout their lives, which makes the courtship ritual especially relevant in these birds. Its reproduction is oviparous. The females lay eggs in the nest and, later, both parents are responsible for incubating and caring for the chicks until they become independent.
If you are curious to learn more about how parrots reproduce, don't miss the next article on our site where We explain the entire reproductive process, from courtship to laying and caring for the chicks.
Do parrots have only one mate?
A fundamental aspect of the social life of parrots is the pair relationship, given that all species are monogamous Once formed, the couple stays together during the reproductive period and outside of it, in such a way that only will look for a new partner when their partner dies
Couples often show each other continuous attention as a sign of bonding and trust. A typical example is the behavior of lovebirds, which spend much of their time exchanging affectionate pats and preening each other's plumage.
Parrot Breeding Season
We know that these animals choose a mate for life, but when do parrots reproduce? In general, the reproductive period or heat period of parrots begins after the rainy season, for the following reasons:
- It is the time with the greatest abundance of food, which helps the pair of parents to face with greater strength the wear and tear that this entails the reproductive period and increases the probability of reproductive success.
- The temperatures are warmers, which is decisive for the survival of the chicks, which are born defenseless and without feathers.
The specific months in which parrots reproduce depends fundamentally on the geographical area they inhabit and its climate. Thus, the reproductive period will begin earlier or later depending on the months in which the rainy season occurs.
How do parrots choose mates?
Something very curious is how parrots choose a mate. The courtship ritual in parrots is different in each species, since one of its objectives is to help birds recognize whether or not they are part of the same species. It should be noted that, in most parrot species, sexual dimorphism (morphological differences between males and females) is minimal or even null, however, this fact does not imply any impediment to their mating in the wild.
Courtship in parrots takes place before mating, in fact, without this prior ritual copulation will not take place, since parrots have sexual reproduction. Being strictly monogamous birds, they tend to be especially meticulous with this ritual, since the pair formed will be for life.
Courtship usually combines dances, songs, vocalizations, display of plumage and hormone secretionWith this ritual, the male tries to demonstrate his superiority to the female without having to fight with other males or compete for territory. If after courtship the female accepts the male, the pair formed will build their nest and begin to reproduce.
How do parrots build their nest?
Almost all types of parrots nest inside trees, taking advantage of their natural cavities or the cavities made by other animals. Inside the nest they prepare an incubation chamber using bark, branches and other softer and more comfortable materials. Less commonly, some types of parrots nest in soil cavities or clay cliffs, rock crevices, or termite mounds. In addition, some species, such as the Argentine parrot, form communal nests in which several families live together. Discover more curiosities about Bird Nests in this other article.
For many parrots, the nest is not only the place to lay eggs, but also a place to shelter and protect themselves from the elements. For this reason, it is common for the same nest to be used by the same pair for many years, in which restoration work is usually necessary, which is usually carried out by the female. When parrots leave their nests, it is common for them to be occupied by other birds and bats.
How many eggs does a parrot lay?
The number of eggs a parrot lays Depends fundamentally on the species Generally, medium and large species lay between 2 and 4 eggs, while small species usually lay between 4 and 10 eggs. Smaller species may have two clutches per breeding season, while large species only have one.
After the eggs are laid, which takes place on alternate days, the incubation period begins.
How long does a parrot's pregnancy last?
After copulation, the female will take about 7-10 days to start laying eggs which, as we have already mentioned, will occur on alternate days.
Egg incubation time
After the first egg is laid, the incubation period begins. In most species it is the female who incubates the eggs, while the male is responsible for bringing food to the nest to feed his partner by regurgitation. However, there are species such as Moluccan cockatoos or nymphs, in which both parents are responsible for incubation.
Incubation time is also different for different types of parrots. The small size specimens incubate the eggs for 16-24 days, while the larger specimens have an incubation period of up to 30 days
How are parrots born?
A characteristic common to all psittaciforms is the great care with which they raise their young. Parrot chicks are born weak and helpless, without sight or feathers, so they depend exclusively on their parents to survive during their first weeks of life. After the eggs hatch, both parents feed their chicks by regurgitation until they are weaned, they even accompany them on their first flights and guide them through their I return to the nest. This close family bond is maintained until the children reach sexual maturity, mate and form a new family. In this way, parrots raise their newborns in a very thorough and special way.
If you want to know more details about these wonderful animals, don't miss this other article where we explain What parrots eat.
