How Do Parrots Catch Their Food?

Some species of parrots, particularly in the Pacific region around New Zealand, have unique diets. While most parrots are vegetarians that feed on seeds, plants and nectar, some species also eat meat and must go to extremes to get it. The Kea is one of the most storied examples, riding on the backs of sheep while tearing at its flesh.

  1. Antipodes Parakeet

    • The Antipodes Parakeet is a unique type of parrot found only in the bare environment of Antipode Island next to New Zealand. Although it eats vegetation, it also scavenges on dead sea birds and preys on live Grey-backed Storm-petrels. Petrels burrow holes in the ground to incubate eggs. An Antipodes Parakeet will investigate these holes and sometimes dig into them if they are too small. It will kill the nesting petrel, biting it in the jugular with its beak.

    Kaka

    • The Kaka, native to New Zealand, feasts on grubs and other invertebrates, in addition to plant material. They secure themselves on branches with their feet and dig into rotten logs in search for food, pulling the grubs out with their beaks. They use their feet to dig into branches, searching for insects burrowed in the wood. Like many other species, they also have long tongues for retrieving the nectar in flowers.

    Kea

    • The Kea, another New Zealand parrot, also is known to eat dead carrion and kill juvenile petrels. They are more famously recognized, however, for causing the death of sheep on the New Zealand Islands. The Kea will rest on the backs of sheep and tear into their flesh with their strong beaks. Although this rarely kills the sheep, it has been known to panic them enough to send them over cliffs.

    Husking Seeds

    • Most parrots only eat a vegetarian diet, consisting of leaves, stems, insects, nectar and seeds. Parrots have a unique ability to remove the husks of seeds that are indigestible or poisonous. The seed is held in the mandibles, with just enough pressure to crush the husk. The seed is then rotated around the mouth until the husk is removed. Sometimes a parrot uses one of its claws to help hold the seed in place.