About the Adaptive Features of Black-Headed Parrots

In biology, an adaptation is a genetic trait that has evolved over thousands of years. Adaptations give animals a distinct advantage over competitors -- both of the same and different species -- in their environment. When biologists talk about adaptations, they are typically talking about traits that all members of a species currently have, but may not have always had. Some members of the species may have more of the adaptation than others. For example, an animal who is thoroughly camouflaged is more adapted to his environment than an animal who is mostly camouflaged with a few random spots. Most adaptations are physical adaptations, but physical adaptations can affect behavior, and some behaviors are genetic. The black-headed parrot, which is commonly kept as a pet, has several adaptations.

  1. Beaks

    • Black-headed parrots have curved, sturdy beaks designed for cracking open shells and nuts. This trait was likely a mutation possessed by some parrots thousands of years ago that was so helpful that eventually all parrots developed it. Some parrots with genetic anomalies do not have fully curved beaks, and these parrots are typically unable to survive in the wild. The curved beak also affects behavior. Black-headed parrots are known to be very nippy because they have evolved to explore their environment using their mouths. They also frequently use their strong beaks to climb and support themselves.

    Group Behavior

    • Black-headed parrot babies require intense care, and so these animals have evolved to raise hatchlings in pairs. In the wild, pairs build nests and bond strongly with one another. The pairs live as members of larger flocks of 10 to 30 members. Consequently, parrots are highly social and thrive when housed with a companion. A side effect of the co-parenting behavior of parrots is that males and females are virtually indistinguishable from one another. In all animals, it's common for males and females to look similar when they participate equally in caring for young.

    Perching and Climbing

    • Black-headed parrots search for food primarily using their excellent eyesight. In the wild, these birds tend to perch at the tops of trees and scan their field of vision for food. In captivity, they prefer large, open spaces that allow them to perch at the top. Their finely-tuned vision makes them intensely aware of their environment and easily startled by sudden movements.

    Intelligence and Behavior

    • In the wild, black-headed parrots who are able to carefully observe their environment have an adaptive advantage. Curiosity and observation are strongly correlated with intelligence in all animals, and black-headed parrots are no exception. These birds often learn tricks after seeing them only once. They also tend to be slightly more aggressive than other parrots. Many avian experts believe this is because of their high intelligence. These birds tend to form quick judgments about people and other animals and, if they are startled or dislike something about another animal's appearance, are quick to react aggressively. Because of their high intelligence, however, it is easy to condition these birds to stop behaving aggressively using careful handling and lots of treats.