The Birds

Our show features macaw, amazon parrots, galah and cockatoo. All are parrots, and as such are members of one of the most intelligent, adaptable and successful bird groups on the planet.

Macaw

Native to Mexico, Central America, South America, and formerly the Caribbean, the majority of macaws are now endangered in the wild. They are intelligent, social birds that often live in small family groups of 10 to 30 individuals, typically mating for life. They not only breed with, but also share food with their mates and enjoy mutual grooming.

Not surprisingly, given their behaviour in the wild, these very social animals typically bond very strongly to a small number of people.

They are one of the world’s largest parrots (NZ’s own kakapo is the world’s largest parrot but it can’t fly)and their loud calls, squawks, and screams echo through the forest canopy allowing them to communicate within the flock, mark territory, and identify one another.

The birds boast large, powerful beaks that easily crack nuts and seeds, while their dry, scaly tongues have a bone inside them that makes them an effective tool for tapping into fruits.

Amazon parrots

Most amazons are predominantly green, with accenting colours that depend on the species and can be quite vivid.

Many Amazon parrots have a remarkable ability to mimic human speech and other sounds. Partly because of this they are popular as pets or companion parrots, and a small industry has developed in breeding parrots in captivity for this market.

In captivity, the highly intelligent amazon parrot must be provided with plenty of things to explore and investigate, otherwise it will grow bored and depressed. It needs both social interaction and mental challenges to stay happy and healthy.

It is not unusual for amazon parrots to be very noisy at sunrise and sunset.

In captivity, a well-cared for amazon parrot can reach an age of 40-60 years.

Galah

Is one of the most common and widespread cockatoos, and it can be found in open country in almost all parts of mainland Australia, is also referred to as the Rose-breasted cockatoo.

The genders appear similar, however generally adult birds differ in the colour of the irises; the male has a very dark brown (almost black) irises, and the female has a mid-brown/red irises.

The Galahs voice is high-pitched, splintered identifying call "chill chill ". They use harsher screeches when threatened, fighting or just having fun. Soft, muffled calls are used to communicate with mates and to initiate close contact.

If circumstances allow galahs will form a close bond with a mate (member of the opposite sex) whom with they will breed with for life. If their mate dies galahs have been known to become quite depressed, though they usually will find a new mate.

A galah that is kept in captivity will often form a bond with a particular human carer or even other pets such as a dog or cat.

Cockatoo

One of the things unique to cockatoos, and their smaller cousins the cockatiels, is their unusual and often magnificent crests. They are the only members of the parrot family to have such a feature and they display it well. Crests range in colour from white, to pink, to orange to black. They vary in size, shape and design as well. This crowning glory is one of the reasons that people are so enthralled by the cockatoos' beauty and are so attracted to these birds.

Cockatoos are natural born escape artists and puzzle solvers. Their powerful beaks can break open most nuts and destroy the hardest of woods.

Although birds such as flamingos are pink (their colour comes primarily from eating shrimp) and egrets are white, the Cockatoo is the only naturally white or naturally pink parrot.

Cockatoos are not obedient. "No" to a Cockatoo means "try again later."