LookingOutforParrots

Howcanwekeepparrotssafe?Scientistsaremakingtests.Theteststellifabirdiswildor not.


Onetestlooksatparrotfeathers.Itshowswhataparroteats.Thistellswhereitcomes from.

Protectingparrotsworks.Here’sanexample.Once,therewereonly13PuertoRicanparrotsinthewild.Scientistsbredtheminbreedingcenters.Now,hundredsofthesebirdsliveinbreedingcentersandinthe wild.


Scientistswillkeeplookingforsolutions.Theyknowparrotsareworth protecting.

What Can You Do to Help?

1

Thinktwicebeforebuyinga bird.

Makesurethisistherightkindofpetfor you.

2

Ifyoualreadyhaveapetbird,giveitagood life.

Playwithyour parrot.

3

Supportgroupshelpingbirds,like these:

• WorldParrot Trust

• Parrots International

• WildBird Trust

• BirdLife International

4

Learnmore!

Starthere:
• humanesociety.org
• avianwelfare.org
• cites.org

5

Spreadthe word.

green‑cheeked conures

Alex,the African Gray

IrenePepperbergisascientist.Shestudiesthewayanimalslearn.In1976,sheboughtanAfricangrayparrot.ShenamedhimAlex.Shewantedtoteachhimafew words.

Alexlearnedmorethan100 words.Healsocreatednewwordsofhis own!


Hecoulddescribeobjects,shapes,andcolors.Hecoulddomath.Alexalsounderstoodconceptssuchasnone,same/different,and bigger/smaller.


Alexprovedtotheworldthat“birdbrains”canbeprettybrightafter all.