Do Parrots See Color?
Many people just assume that animals do not have the ability to see the way we do. They automatically assume that pets do not have the ability to differentiate colors, and they just never put much thought into it.
You may be interested, though, to learn that parrots actually have better eyesight than humans in some ways. This is because they have a unique way of seeing that allows them to see things that we cannot. Just what does this mean? First you need to understand how we and the parrots see.
We all have these receptors in our eyes called rods and cones. Rods allow us to see shapes while cones allow us to see color. If eyes do not have a sufficient amount of cones to see each color in the spectrum, it can be a cause of color blindness. Some animals only have certain cones, meaning that they can see only limited colors. This is not true of parrots. In fact, they have more cones than humans.
Parrot Eyes:
Parrots have all of the cones that allow them to see the colors of the spectrum. In addition, they have a fourth cone that we humans do not have. Just what does this fourth cone do? This cone allows parrots to see ultraviolet light. Humans cannot see this spectrum of light without special technology. This means, parrots can actually see better than we can when it comes to colors of the spectrum.
You may be wondering why it is necessary for parrots to see so much color. All you have to do is think about the color of the birds and you will have your answer. In order for parrots to see others of their species, they need to be able to differentiate colors. This is a survival mechanism that allows the birds to stay together in a flock because they can more easily recognize each other.
Just why do parrots need to be able to see ultraviolet light? While it is not something that is completely understood, it is believed that the way ultraviolet light reflects off the feathers of the parrots is different from a male to a female. This way, when parrots are looking for a mate, they will be able to recognize which birds are of the opposite sex quite easily. This ability to see the extra colors is a way to make sure the birds are able to continue to reproduce.
You may be interested, though, to learn that parrots actually have better eyesight than humans in some ways. This is because they have a unique way of seeing that allows them to see things that we cannot. Just what does this mean? First you need to understand how we and the parrots see.
We all have these receptors in our eyes called rods and cones. Rods allow us to see shapes while cones allow us to see color. If eyes do not have a sufficient amount of cones to see each color in the spectrum, it can be a cause of color blindness. Some animals only have certain cones, meaning that they can see only limited colors. This is not true of parrots. In fact, they have more cones than humans.
Parrot Eyes:
Parrots have all of the cones that allow them to see the colors of the spectrum. In addition, they have a fourth cone that we humans do not have. Just what does this fourth cone do? This cone allows parrots to see ultraviolet light. Humans cannot see this spectrum of light without special technology. This means, parrots can actually see better than we can when it comes to colors of the spectrum.
You may be wondering why it is necessary for parrots to see so much color. All you have to do is think about the color of the birds and you will have your answer. In order for parrots to see others of their species, they need to be able to differentiate colors. This is a survival mechanism that allows the birds to stay together in a flock because they can more easily recognize each other.
Just why do parrots need to be able to see ultraviolet light? While it is not something that is completely understood, it is believed that the way ultraviolet light reflects off the feathers of the parrots is different from a male to a female. This way, when parrots are looking for a mate, they will be able to recognize which birds are of the opposite sex quite easily. This ability to see the extra colors is a way to make sure the birds are able to continue to reproduce.
Avian Senses
Taste:
It is believed that parrots have a poorly developed sense of taste because taste buds are on the roof of their mouths and not on their tongues. Birds can taste but they are limited to flavor because they have fewer taste buds then other species.
Smell:
Parrots also seem to have an underdeveloped sense of smell. Smells dissolve rather quickly in the air. Because birds spend most of their time in the air, this may be the reason why it is assumed that birds have a poor sense of smell.
Vision:
Parrots have a keen sense of sight. Birds recognize details and they can tell the difference in colors. Parrots use monocular vision because their eyes are located on the sides of their head. While looking at an object you will notice your parrot tilting its head because it is looking at the object one eye at a time. Birds also have a third eyelid called the nictitating membrane. This membrane keeps the eyeball moist and clean.
Hearing:
Parrots ears are under their feathers, below and behind each eye. You will see a slight break in the feathers though. Their ears appear as holes. Parrots are known to have the capability to recognize sound waves and determine where the sound is coming from. However, birds seem to be less receptive to higher and lower pitch then their human companions.
Touch:
Parrots have an acute sense of touch. Parrots will use their feet and their mouths to touch their surroundings, to play, and to determine what is safe to perch on or chew on or eat. You will notice this behavior quite frequently when observing your companion pet. They are discovering and examining objects just as a human would use their hands.
It is believed that parrots have a poorly developed sense of taste because taste buds are on the roof of their mouths and not on their tongues. Birds can taste but they are limited to flavor because they have fewer taste buds then other species.
Smell:
Parrots also seem to have an underdeveloped sense of smell. Smells dissolve rather quickly in the air. Because birds spend most of their time in the air, this may be the reason why it is assumed that birds have a poor sense of smell.
Vision:
Parrots have a keen sense of sight. Birds recognize details and they can tell the difference in colors. Parrots use monocular vision because their eyes are located on the sides of their head. While looking at an object you will notice your parrot tilting its head because it is looking at the object one eye at a time. Birds also have a third eyelid called the nictitating membrane. This membrane keeps the eyeball moist and clean.
Hearing:
Parrots ears are under their feathers, below and behind each eye. You will see a slight break in the feathers though. Their ears appear as holes. Parrots are known to have the capability to recognize sound waves and determine where the sound is coming from. However, birds seem to be less receptive to higher and lower pitch then their human companions.
Touch:
Parrots have an acute sense of touch. Parrots will use their feet and their mouths to touch their surroundings, to play, and to determine what is safe to perch on or chew on or eat. You will notice this behavior quite frequently when observing your companion pet. They are discovering and examining objects just as a human would use their hands.
Basic Avian Anatomy
Your Parrot’s Body:
A bird’s body contains skin, respiratory system, sensory organs, cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, and excretory systems.
Skin:
The skin of a bird is seemingly translucent and thin, it is covered by their feathers. Their skin cells help make up the beak,cere,scales of the legs and feet and claws.
Parrots cannot sweat because they do not have sweat glands. For this reason they must find a way to keep themselves cool. If you notice that you parrot is holding its wings away from its body with its mouth open, curling its tongue, this is a normal behavior to help keep cool. Make sure that if you live in a warm climate or it is a warm day your bird is cool. If not, heatstroke may take place.
Musculoskeletal System:
Birds have pneumatic bones. These particular bones contain air sacs and in certain cavities of the body. Pneumatic bones help lighten the body and cool them more proficiently. You must always handle a bird carefully because some bones in the bird are hollow. These hollow bones are much lighter making it easier for flight but because they are hollow it makes them more vulnerable to break. The wings are also extensions that assist with flight. The wings are compounded for strength. Wings act as the arm and hand bones of a human, if you will.
Parrots have ten neck vertebrae; this makes a parrot’s neck more mobile. A parrot can turn its head almost 180 degrees, looking over its shoulder. In the wild this gives the bird an advantage in spotting food and/or predators.
A female parrot’s bones become denser during breeding time. This is to enable her to store the calcium needed to create eggshells. A female’s skeleton can weigh up to 20 percent more during breeding season due to calcium storage, then the rest of the time.
Respiratory System:
Your bird’s respiratory system is extremely efficient and sensitive. Although it is capable at exchanging gases in the system, two complete breaths are required to do the same work that a single breath does in people; because of this you may observe your parrot breathing quickly, this is normal behavior.
Nervous System:
Your parrot’s nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and innumerable nerves throughout the body.
Cardiovascular System:
The birds cardiovascular system keeps oxygen and other nutrients moving throughout their body. The parrot has a four-chambered heart, with two atria and two ventricles. The average heart rate for a parrot is 340 to 600 beats per minute.
Digestive System:
Fuel is needed for energy. Your bird produces fuel by food. This is how the digestive system works. Not only does the digestive system provide energy from food, it also assist in maintaining your bird’s body temperature. Birds need to eat often and regularly in order to maintain their high body temperatures. Your parrot’s digestive system starts at the beak, traveling down the esophagus. Parrots do not have saliva glands to help break down their food. The food then travels to the crop, where it is moistened, then passed in small segments to the bird’s gizzard. Next, the food moves to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. Anything that’s left over travels through the large intestine and then leaves the body as waste. A bird does not have a bladder or a urethra.
Feathers:
A parrot has between 2000 to 3000 feathers. Feathers assist in flight, keep your parrot warm, attract potential mates and scare away predators. Small, subtle contour feathers cover the body. These help to insulate your parrot. Your parrot will fluff up its body feathers to intensify insulation and smooth them down to cool off. They will also lift and lower patches of their feathers to show off.
Muscles:
A parrots muscles are attached at the skeleton and its flight muscles are the bird’s most vital means of force. While the wings themselves only have small muscles used to make changes during flight, the large pectoral muscles located in the chest region are the main powerhouse that is use to thrust the bird in flight. The pectoral muscles are attached to the sternum and have tendons attaching them to the wings. This set of flight muscles can account for around 30 percent of a parrot’s weight. Muscles at the bottom of the spine move the tail in all directions while helping to steer and stop when the bird comes in to land.
There are certain types of parrots, such as the Cockatoo, that have large neck ridges, muscles attached to the forehead behind the nostrils power these – this causes the crest to be upright and stiff in appearance.
The other major muscle of your parrot is the heart. This muscle is located within the left hand side of the ribcage. A bird’s heartbeats around 140 times a minute at rest and when it is flight it beats at a rapid pace of 1,000 a minute.
The Beak:
Parrots have a very strong crushing power in their bills, which is needed for breaking into hard seeds and nuts and for excavating their nesting holes in trees and soft rocks. Though rarely used in serious fighting, the beak can be a formidable weapon if a bird feels threatened, and parrots are capable of killing other birds.
A bird’s body contains skin, respiratory system, sensory organs, cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, and excretory systems.
Skin:
The skin of a bird is seemingly translucent and thin, it is covered by their feathers. Their skin cells help make up the beak,cere,scales of the legs and feet and claws.
Parrots cannot sweat because they do not have sweat glands. For this reason they must find a way to keep themselves cool. If you notice that you parrot is holding its wings away from its body with its mouth open, curling its tongue, this is a normal behavior to help keep cool. Make sure that if you live in a warm climate or it is a warm day your bird is cool. If not, heatstroke may take place.
Musculoskeletal System:
Birds have pneumatic bones. These particular bones contain air sacs and in certain cavities of the body. Pneumatic bones help lighten the body and cool them more proficiently. You must always handle a bird carefully because some bones in the bird are hollow. These hollow bones are much lighter making it easier for flight but because they are hollow it makes them more vulnerable to break. The wings are also extensions that assist with flight. The wings are compounded for strength. Wings act as the arm and hand bones of a human, if you will.
Parrots have ten neck vertebrae; this makes a parrot’s neck more mobile. A parrot can turn its head almost 180 degrees, looking over its shoulder. In the wild this gives the bird an advantage in spotting food and/or predators.
A female parrot’s bones become denser during breeding time. This is to enable her to store the calcium needed to create eggshells. A female’s skeleton can weigh up to 20 percent more during breeding season due to calcium storage, then the rest of the time.
Respiratory System:
Your bird’s respiratory system is extremely efficient and sensitive. Although it is capable at exchanging gases in the system, two complete breaths are required to do the same work that a single breath does in people; because of this you may observe your parrot breathing quickly, this is normal behavior.
Nervous System:
Your parrot’s nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and innumerable nerves throughout the body.
Cardiovascular System:
The birds cardiovascular system keeps oxygen and other nutrients moving throughout their body. The parrot has a four-chambered heart, with two atria and two ventricles. The average heart rate for a parrot is 340 to 600 beats per minute.
Digestive System:
Fuel is needed for energy. Your bird produces fuel by food. This is how the digestive system works. Not only does the digestive system provide energy from food, it also assist in maintaining your bird’s body temperature. Birds need to eat often and regularly in order to maintain their high body temperatures. Your parrot’s digestive system starts at the beak, traveling down the esophagus. Parrots do not have saliva glands to help break down their food. The food then travels to the crop, where it is moistened, then passed in small segments to the bird’s gizzard. Next, the food moves to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. Anything that’s left over travels through the large intestine and then leaves the body as waste. A bird does not have a bladder or a urethra.
Feathers:
A parrot has between 2000 to 3000 feathers. Feathers assist in flight, keep your parrot warm, attract potential mates and scare away predators. Small, subtle contour feathers cover the body. These help to insulate your parrot. Your parrot will fluff up its body feathers to intensify insulation and smooth them down to cool off. They will also lift and lower patches of their feathers to show off.
Muscles:
A parrots muscles are attached at the skeleton and its flight muscles are the bird’s most vital means of force. While the wings themselves only have small muscles used to make changes during flight, the large pectoral muscles located in the chest region are the main powerhouse that is use to thrust the bird in flight. The pectoral muscles are attached to the sternum and have tendons attaching them to the wings. This set of flight muscles can account for around 30 percent of a parrot’s weight. Muscles at the bottom of the spine move the tail in all directions while helping to steer and stop when the bird comes in to land.
There are certain types of parrots, such as the Cockatoo, that have large neck ridges, muscles attached to the forehead behind the nostrils power these – this causes the crest to be upright and stiff in appearance.
The other major muscle of your parrot is the heart. This muscle is located within the left hand side of the ribcage. A bird’s heartbeats around 140 times a minute at rest and when it is flight it beats at a rapid pace of 1,000 a minute.
The Beak:
Parrots have a very strong crushing power in their bills, which is needed for breaking into hard seeds and nuts and for excavating their nesting holes in trees and soft rocks. Though rarely used in serious fighting, the beak can be a formidable weapon if a bird feels threatened, and parrots are capable of killing other birds.
OVERGROWN CLAWS AND EXCESSIVE BEAK GROWTH
If the claws of your parrot get obviously longer than they should be and they get caught in things repeatedly, they will need to be trimmed as this can lead to serious injury. It is always best to let a vet specializing in birds do this as African Greys have dark claws in which the blood vessels do not show up well. If the claw is cut too close to a bloodvessel, you may pinch a nerve, which is extremely painful for your bird and if you cut into a vein or artery, heavy bleeding can result.
African Greys are not given to excessive beak growth, which can inhibit the intake of food, but if it does occur take your bird along to an avian vet who is experienced with birds for trimming. Natural branches from non-toxic trees and mineral blocks as mentioned before are great for keeping birds well manicured. Remember, perches should be made from wood not plastic and varied in size to exercise the foot, but as a general rule your birds feet should go 2/3rds or 3/4 of the way around the perch. Thin perches are not suitable and could damage your birds feet and affect its balance!
African Greys are not given to excessive beak growth, which can inhibit the intake of food, but if it does occur take your bird along to an avian vet who is experienced with birds for trimming. Natural branches from non-toxic trees and mineral blocks as mentioned before are great for keeping birds well manicured. Remember, perches should be made from wood not plastic and varied in size to exercise the foot, but as a general rule your birds feet should go 2/3rds or 3/4 of the way around the perch. Thin perches are not suitable and could damage your birds feet and affect its balance!
PARROTS SENSE OF SMELL
For many years, birds were considered to have a poorly developed sense of smell. Recent research has rejected that hypothesis. Although there haven't been parrot specific studies in regards to their olfactory abilities, it has been documented that the sense of smell is critical to many species for routine tasks such as navigation, foraging and mating.
AFRICAN GREY TASTE
Parrots have approximately 350 taste buds as opposed to the 9000 that humans have. They are located in the back of the throat and the base of the tongue. Their taste buds can differentiate sweet, sour, bitter and salty tastes.
PARROT EARS
To cut down on wind noise, parrots (and most other birds) have special fine feathers that cover their ear holes. These feathers deaden the howl of the wind as it rushes past their ears and allows them to hear other sounds that might be more important. These special feathers work just like the black foam you see covering a microphone. The end result is that Parrots and most other birds can hear just about as well (or even better) than we can.
A parrot’s hearing is not so much more sensitive than ours as it is more detailed. They hear things differently than we do. For instance, where we might only perceive a single tone of sound, they will hear several.
Sound volume that is too loud for you would also be a problem for your African Grey. But more often overlooked are the sounds that are unnerving to our birds because they can’t identify them or are upsetting to them in ways we can’t fathom because we hear them differently.
Always watch your bird’s reactions to the things that go on around him, whether they are heard, seen or felt. If you see signs that something is upsetting in the environment, you should look into making appropriate changes.
A parrot’s hearing is not so much more sensitive than ours as it is more detailed. They hear things differently than we do. For instance, where we might only perceive a single tone of sound, they will hear several.
Sound volume that is too loud for you would also be a problem for your African Grey. But more often overlooked are the sounds that are unnerving to our birds because they can’t identify them or are upsetting to them in ways we can’t fathom because we hear them differently.
Always watch your bird’s reactions to the things that go on around him, whether they are heard, seen or felt. If you see signs that something is upsetting in the environment, you should look into making appropriate changes.
Eyes
Birds are prey animals; whereas, we humans are predators. Our eye takes up less than 1% of the weight of our head. The bird's eye is one of their largest organs in size. To aid their survival, bird eyelids were designed so that their vision is not impaired even when they blink!! They have 3 eyelids with the upper and lower eyelids lined with small bristle feathers. The 3rd eyelid, called the nictitating membrane, is used for blinking. Lying beneath the eyelids on the nostril side, it is transparent and allows them to see when blinking. It has been noted that some birds use this eyelid as safety glasses while flying. They can close this 3rd eyelid while flying! Birds see much more detail than we are capable of seeing. Their sight is more detailed, they see a broader range of colors, including florescent rays. They see colors we don't see. On some species, the florescent color spots aid the birds to visually differentiate between the sexes.
Eye Pinning
Pinning: African Greys and other birds are able to control their irises and you can see their pupils rapidly enlarging and shrinking. This is called "pinning". Eye pinning goes along with what is happening in the immediate environment and body posture. If your African Grey's body is relaxed and its eyes are pinning it usually means they are interested in or concentrating on something. However, if your African Grey's feathers are puffed out and their eyes are narrowed and pinning – watch out! They are angry or frightened, and if bothered will probably bite.
Anatomy
Eye Pinning:Your African Grey will wipe its beak after eating - on its perch, cage, your shoulder, wherever it may be at the time.
Beak Grinding: A soft grinding noise where the African Grey slides its lower mandible (beak) and tongue against the upper mandible. Beak grinding is a sign of contentment and is usually heard as your African Grey falls asleep. Some experts believe that African Greys and other birds grind their beaks to keep them in good condition.
Chewing: African Greys love to chew and destroy things. It is not just for the entertainment factor, but also to condition their beaks. Provide many toys – see our page on Toys – to keep them from being bored.
Growling: An African Grey Parrot will growl when it is frightened. Make sure there is nothing in their environment that could be bothering them, if so, remove it.
Yawning / Head Shaking: It is common for an African Grey Parrot to shake its head or yawn. This could be because it is tired and really yawning or it could be because it has something like a seed or piece of food stuck in its esophagus.
Sneezing: African Greys do sneeze. And not just to imitate their humans! You will also see them stick their claws in their nares (nostrils) which dislodge feather dust and particles. Contact your avian vet if you see a discharge from their nares.
Regurgitation: If your African Grey Parrot pins its eyes, bob its head, stretches out its neck and then regurgitates, they are showing you love and affection. It is trying to bond with you. African Greys and other birds in the wild feed their young this way and breeding pairs also do this as part of bonding.
Head in Wing: African Grey Parrots often sleep with their heads tucked under their wing and beak
Beak Grinding: A soft grinding noise where the African Grey slides its lower mandible (beak) and tongue against the upper mandible. Beak grinding is a sign of contentment and is usually heard as your African Grey falls asleep. Some experts believe that African Greys and other birds grind their beaks to keep them in good condition.
Chewing: African Greys love to chew and destroy things. It is not just for the entertainment factor, but also to condition their beaks. Provide many toys – see our page on Toys – to keep them from being bored.
Growling: An African Grey Parrot will growl when it is frightened. Make sure there is nothing in their environment that could be bothering them, if so, remove it.
Yawning / Head Shaking: It is common for an African Grey Parrot to shake its head or yawn. This could be because it is tired and really yawning or it could be because it has something like a seed or piece of food stuck in its esophagus.
Sneezing: African Greys do sneeze. And not just to imitate their humans! You will also see them stick their claws in their nares (nostrils) which dislodge feather dust and particles. Contact your avian vet if you see a discharge from their nares.
Regurgitation: If your African Grey Parrot pins its eyes, bob its head, stretches out its neck and then regurgitates, they are showing you love and affection. It is trying to bond with you. African Greys and other birds in the wild feed their young this way and breeding pairs also do this as part of bonding.
Head in Wing: African Grey Parrots often sleep with their heads tucked under their wing and beak