Parrots in the wild
We usually associate parrots with tropical areas, and most species do indeed live in the tropics. But they can also be found in the temperate zone, from the coolest South America to the USA, and also in the mountains – even in areas where it snows regularly. Let’s embark on an imaginary journey to the various environments where they have made their home!
1) Jamaican forests
The tropical forests in the karst areas of the third largest Caribbean island are home to many bird species that do not live anywhere else in the world. The most important area for birds is the inaccessible Cockpit Country. This is where both Jamaican amazon species meet.
2) CAATINGA
The dry landscape, overgrown with sparse thorny bushes and crisscrossed by deep ravines, is the only place in the world where the extremely rare Lear’s macaws live. However, they are not alone: the number of unique bird species here is one of the highest in South America.
3) Southern Andes
In the foothills of the Southern Andes, in the South America’s far south, we find vast areas whose common denominator is cold winters, changeable weather and often strong winds. The parrots that live here are therefore some of the hardiest.
4) PANTANAL
In the heart of South America lies the largest and, according to many, the most beautiful wetland in the world – Pantanal. Species richness here is absolutely stunning. Birds that have made their home in the wetland include the largest parrots in the world – hyacinth macaws.
5) Philippine rainforests
The original vegetation of the stormy, volcanic archipelago of Philippines is tropical rainforests. Due to the diversity of life forms that inhabit them, they are one of the most important hotspots of global biodiversity – as well as one of the most endangered.
6) Lowland forests of New Guinea
The world’s second largest island is one of the most important centres of biodiversity on the planet. The rainforest here is inhabited by as many species as Australia has, which is ten times larger! These include the palm cockatoo – the largest cockatoo in the world.
7) Mountain rainforests of New Guinea
The mountains that stretch along the centre of New Guinea are mostly covered in ever-green rainforests that stand out for the abundance of mosses and ferns covering the trunks and branches. Pesquet’s parrot, the world’s largest nectarivorous parrot, lives here.
8) New Zealand Alps
New Zealand is a peculiar world ruled by birds. Lashed by rain and winds, the mountains are home to some particularly interesting and rare species. One of them is the world’s only alpine parrot, the highly intelligent and playful kea.
Our pavilion is home to two species of blue macaws: the Hyacinth Macaw and the extremely precious Lear’s Macaw, which was once thought to be extinct. Both live in South America, feed on the hard fruits of palm trees and look quite similar....
Parrots have been a part of Prague Zoo ever since it was opened in 1931, and from the very start they were kept where Rákos’ House stands today. For over 80 years, they lived in a series of double-aviaries called the “Linear”. Two aviaries...
From North to South, the longest mountain range in the world – the Andes – stretches across South America. The foothills of their southern portions have several common denominators: cold winters, changeable weather and frequently also strong...
Among the Caribbean islands, Jamaica ranks third in size – but first in terms of the number of endemic bird species. The majority of them are tied to the original forest growth, which once covered almost the entire island. Today, however, only...
ZOOPRAHA.CZ
Contacts
- The Prague zoological garden
U Trojskeho zamku 120/3
171 00 Praha 7
Phone.: (+420) 296 112 230 (public relations department)
e-mail: zoopraha@zoopraha.cz
Others
