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This section lists books that cover the whole order of parrots. There are about 370 species of parrots.

These books focus on parrots in the wild rather than in captivity.

The books are listed in order of publication date with the most recent at the top.

Cockatoos
Kakapo
Kea
Macaws
Carolina Parakeet

Vanished and Vanishing Parrots: Profiling Extinct and Endangered Species

Joseph M. Forshaw

CSIRO

2017

"Joseph M. Forshaw, one of the world’s leading authorities on parrots, calls attention to the threats they face: they are one of the most endangered groups of birds, with a growing number of species nearing extinction. The main threats arise from habitat loss through deforestation and agricultural development and from the taking of birds for the international live-bird trade. Vanished and Vanishing Parrots brings together information on species that have become extinct in historical times with information on species that are in danger of becoming extinct to increase public awareness of the plight of these magnificent birds. Vivid colour plates by the wildlife artist Frank Knight draw attention to the spectacular species that we have lost or that could be lost. Forshaw’s work gives us fascinating insight into these endangered and extinct parrots."

A Natural History of Australian Parrots: A Tribute to William T. Cooper (1934–2015)

Joseph M. Forshaw

Nokomis Publications

2016

"Presented as a deluxe edition, this book is truly a combination of art and science presenting many previously unpublished Cooper drawings, sketches and paintings. Containing more than 300 artworks, it is fully cased in grey Ballantine cloth, with black blocking and marbled endpapers. The book is landscape format printed on fine quality satin art paper. This book adopts an entirely new approach with the integration of an updated technical text and an exciting visual record of the beauty, diversity and appeal of Australian parrots. It is a tribute to William (Bill) Cooper, and features numerous previously unpublished field sketches, preliminary drawings and spectacular paintings of parrots in their natural environment. No Australian artist has left such a wealth of scientifically accurate visual records of Australian parrots engaging in their daily activities, and now for the first time readers of this book can enjoy and appreciate this outstanding legacy."

Terra Papagalli / Land of Parrots

Luís Fábio Silveira

Bilingual: Portuguese / English

Marte Edições

2015

"Terra Papagalli brings the most artistic and scientific survey ever conducted, containing all 91 species of Brazilian parrots. All species are finely painted by Eduardo Parentoni Breitas, one of the most gifted painters of birds of Brazil, under the scientific guidance of one of the leading Brazilian ornithologists, Prof. Dr. Luís Fabío Silveria, from the Zoology Museum of São Paulo University. The book is written in English and Portuguese and has 376 pages richly illustrated with reproductions of original paintings and details never seen before, plus information on each species' diet, nesting areas and locations most suitable for the observation of species in the wild in Brazil. The status of conservation of each species is also provided."

Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World's Most Captivating Birds

Catherine A. Toft, Timothy F. Wright

2015

"Parrots of the Wild explores recent scientific discoveries and what they reveal about the lives of wild parrots, which are among the most intelligent and rarest of birds. Catherine A. Toft and Tim Wright discuss the evolutionary history of parrots and how this history affects perceptual and cognitive abilities, diet and foraging patterns, and mating and social behavior. The authors also discuss conservation status and the various ways different populations are adapting to a world that is rapidly changing. The book focuses on general patterns across the 350-odd species of parrots, as well as what can be learned from interesting exceptions to these generalities. A synthetic account of the diversity and ecology of wild parrots, this book distills knowledge from the authors' own research and from their review of more than 2,400 published scientific studies. The book is enhanced by an array of illustrations, including nearly ninety color photos of wild parrots represented in their natural habitats."

Parrots of Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands: Biology, Ecology and Conservation

Mike Perrin

2013

"Parrots of Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands provides complete coverage of all aspects of the biology of extant African, Malagasy and Mascarene parrots, and reviews our knowledge of extinct and fossil parrots from the region. Particular themes include the behavioural and ecological characteristics of parrots, their species characteristics and conservation biology. Current concepts in avian and conservation biology are also discussed. Parrots of Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands is aimed at ornithologists, conservation biologists, avian ecologists, academics, bird watchers and parrot fans alike. It is well illustrated, with high quality original photographs, and includes distribution maps, figures and tables."

Flocks of Colour

Penny Olsen

National Library of Australia

2013

"What name could be a more apt description of Australia than 'The Land of Parrots', a name inspired by late sixteenth-century maps showing a southern region labelled 'Psittacorum regio'? This beautiful book takes a close look at parrots in Australia, from the first published illustration of an Australian parrot - a Rainbow Lorikeet collected live on Cook's 1770 voyage - to William T. Cooper's twentieth-century watercolour of the elusive Night Parrot. With introductory essays by ornithologist Penny Olsen, Flocks of Colour covers two and a quarter centuries of discovery and illustration of Australia's avifauna. It features a rich portfolio of images of all the Australian parrots, by various artists including John Gould, Edward Lear, Neville W. Cayley and William T. Cooper, selected from the collections of the National Library of Australia."

Parrots: The Animal Answer Guide

Matt Cameron

2012

"Have you ever wondered what parrots eat in the wild? Or why so many species live in the Amazon? How intelligent are parrots? What is the world's rarest parrot? Parrots: The Animal Answer Guide provides detailed, factual answers to the ninety questions most on our minds. There are more than 350 species of these colorful callers, ranging in size from the diminutive lovebird to the massive macaw. Many species can live to be octogenarians in captivity - sometimes outliving their human caretakers by decades. The beautiful plumage of parrots and the ability to mimic sounds are both a blessing and a curse. A number of species are in danger of extinction because they are captured and sold into the pet trade by unscrupulous dealers. Fortunately, most parrot owners and retailers rely on captive breeding, although an appalling amount of wild collection continues. In addition to discussing parrot behavior and biology, Matt Cameron reveals the truth about the trade in wild parrots and explains what each of us can do to help save native populations. Whether you are a parrot owner, birder, ornithologist, or curious naturalist, you will find that Cameron asks and fully answers every question you have about these incredible birds."

Parrots of the World

Joseph M. Forshaw

Princeton Field Guides

Princeton University Press

2010

"From the macaws of South America to the cockatoos of Australia, parrots are among the most beautiful and exotic birds in the world - and also among the most endangered. This stunningly illustrated, easy-to-use field guide covers all 356 species and well-differentiated subspecies of parrots, and is the only guide organized by geographical distribution - Australasian, Afro-Asian, and neotropical. It features 146 superb color plates depicting every kind of parrot, as well as detailed, facing-page species accounts that describe key identification features, distribution, subspeciation, habitat, and status. Color distribution maps show ranges of all subspecies, and field identification is further aided by relevant upperside and underside flight images. This premier field guide also shows where to observe each species in the wild, helping make this the most comprehensive and user-friendly guide to the parrots of the world."

Parrots Of The World

Joseph M Forshaw

Christopher Helm

2010

"This new field guide from the world's foremost authority on parrots comprises beautiful colour plates with a succinct text on the opposite pages. It will cover every species in the world and include up-to-date distribution maps. Useful introductory chapters examine topics such as taxonomy, evolution, breeding biology, behaviour and conservation. The primary purpose of the book is identification of the world's parrot species and it will become an essential reference for a wide variety of people including birders, researchers, conservationists, aviculturists and customs officials."

The Parrots: The Complete Plates

Francesco Solinas and Willmann Solphia

Illustrations: Edward Lear

2009

"This title features breathtaking birds. It includes Edward Lear's incomparable parrots. Completed in 1832 when he was just 20, Edward Lear's set of 42 hand-colored lithographs entitled Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots comprise one of the first collections entirely dedicated to parrots in the history of scientific illustration; they include different African, Australian, and American species bred by the collection's subscribers, amongst whom were the artist's patrons Sir William Jardine and Prideaux John Selby, two eminent ornithologists and naturalists who sustained the artist, and inspired and directed his work. Unlike other avian illustrators who often worked with stuffed birds, the young and prodigiously talented Lear (1812-1888) made his drawings from live parrots, which allowed him to capture their expressions and produce remarkably lifelike illustrations. The youthful freshness, and the new medium of hand-colored lithography determined the originality and the immediate elegance of Lear's work. The impressive collection was reproduced in only 175 precious sets and was sold by subscription to Britain's most eminent scholars and wealthy collectors of living parrots. The Psittacidae successfully inaugurated Edward Lear's long and brilliant career as a celebrated illustrator and painter, professor of drawing to young Queen Victoria, traveller, and witty writer (he is also known for popularizing the limerick). With a brief zoological introduction and written 'portraits' of each bird by Sophia Willmann, Taschen's painstaking reprint brings Lear's parrots back to life for all to admire."

Glimpses of Paradise: The Quest for the Beautiful Parakeet

Penny Olsen

2007

"Glimpses of Paradise: The Quest for the Beautiful Parrakeet follows the story of the Paradise Parrot, beginning in 1844, when John Gilbert spotted it on the Condamine River in Queensland. Gilbert wrote to his employer John Gould, in London, describing his find as 'without exception the most beautiful of the whole tribe I have ever seen in Australia'. Gould named it the Beautiful Parrakeet. But squatters had already begun to claim the parrot's country and by the 1890s the parakeet had disappeared from the record. Ornithologist and journalist Alec Chisholm believed that the bird, then known as the Paradise Parrot, still survived. In 1918, he launched a search. In 1922, the first and last photographs of the parrot were taken and the last confirmed observation was in 1928 - yet claims of sightings continue. In this highly illustrated and informative book, author Penny Olsen takes us on a journey of discovery. The story of the Beautiful Parrakeet - the jewel of the parrot family - is one that combines elements of natural history, human curiosity for the rare and unobtainable, and the true facts of the mystery surrounding the bird's fate."

Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide

Joseph M. Forshaw

Princeton University Press

2006

"From the macaws of South America to the cockatoos of Australia, parrots are among the most recognizable, and endangered, birds on earth. But until now, no easy-to-use guide existed for the identification of all species and subspecies of these colorful creatures. Enter Parrots of the World, the most comprehensive handbook for distinguishing some 350 species of parrots from across the globe. Lavishly illustrated, with more than 120 color plates and additional illustrations, the book covers parrots in homes, zoos, and in the wild, providing detailed descriptions of their key identifying features. By allowing readers to easily narrow their search to specific geographic areas, the book will prove especially useful to those interested in parrots of a particular locale. Descriptive distribution maps show the geographic location of the different species, and an entire section is devoted to ecological and behavioral information relevant to identification. In addition, the guide differentiates Old World and New World species and points out significant sex or age differences in plumage coloration. Parrots of the World will provide enormous help to those engaged in gathering important field data and monitoring international trade, two initiatives that are of critical importance to the conservation of parrots worldwide."

Australian Parrots

Joseph M. Forshaw and William T. Cooper

3rd edition

2002

"A comprehensive account of Australia's parrot, lorikeet and cockatoo species in the wild and in captivity; this is regarded as the bible on Australia's parrot species."

Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2000-2004

Editor: Noel F.R. Snyder

2000

"Designed to aid managers and researchers entrusted with the conservation of parrot species to understand both how to best evaluate the threats faced by individual species and how best to design appropriate conservation strategies to counter the threats involved."

Handbook of Australian, New Zealand, and Antarctic Birds: Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbirds

Editor: P. J. Higgins

Oxford University Press

1999

"Volume 4 of HANZAB covers 119 species, of which 107 breed in the region. They include some of the most spectacular birds found in HANZAB, such as cockatoos and cockatriel; parrots, fig-parrots, rosellas and lorikeets; cuckoos and koels; owls; barn owls; frog mouths; nightjars; goatsuckers or nighthawks; owlet-nightjars; swifts; kingfishers; bee-eaters; dollarbirds. The information is presented in sections; field identification, habitat, distribution and population, movements, food, social organization, social behavioura, voice, breeding, plumages, and external morphology. The accounts include black and white illustrations of behavioural postures and plumage features, maps showing breeding and non-breeding distribution, sonograms of calls and songs, and diagrams of timing of breeding and moulting. The accounts conclude with a full list of references."

Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World

Tony Juniper & Michael Parr

Pica Press

1998 (revised 2003)

A guide to the field identification of parrots, with illustrations of every species and the most identifiable subspecies. Parrots, with some 350 species, are one of the largest bird families. From the mighty macaws to the diminutive pygmy parrots, they include such familiar species as cockatoos, parakeets, lovebirds and even the budgerigar. One-fifth of the world's parrots are threatened, and the book includes up-to-date information on their conservation status.

Contents: Origins and Evolutionary Relationships; Classification of the Parrots; Natural History of the Parrots; General Behaviour; Distribution; Habitat; Movements; Social Behaviour; Diet; Breeding; Nocturnal Species; Conservation Status; Extinct Species; Threatened Species; Threats; Habitat Loss; Live Bird Trade; Introduced Species; Persecution and Hunting; Storms and Climate Change; Captive Breeding; Colour Plates; Systematic Section; Bibliography; Index of Scientific and English Names.

Parrots of Australia: Green Guide

Terence R. Lindsay

1998

"Parrots are colourful and conspicuous and capture the imagination of bird observers and visitors to Australia. This text explains how to distinguish one from another and presents some of the details of their lives and behaviour. Covering all of the parrot species in Australia, the book is organized into six sections - the cockatoos, the lorikeets, the grass parrots, the rosellas, offshore parrots and other parrots. Information is organized simply, with individual species entries describing key characteristics such as where they are found, food requirements and behavioural habits. Each entry is accompanied by colour photographs and, where appropriate, distribution maps. A key feature of the text is the "gee whiz" section which answers many of the most commonly asked questions about why parrots do what they do, revealing interesting facts and providing practical information for the amateur enthusiast."

The Family of Parrots

Edward Lear

1997

"This beautiful volume reproduces in all their glory the 42 plates from the original Parrots."

New World Parrots in Crisis: Solutions from Conservation Biology

Editor: S.R. Beissinger and N.F.R. Snyder

1992

"Neotropical parrots are one of the most threatened groups of birds in the world. They are taken from the wild as pets, killed as agricultural pests and suffer from rapid habitat loss. This major work reviews these threats, and the current status of all the species involved, as well as a range of possible conservation solutions. Each chapter has a summary in Spanish."

Parrots and Pigeons of Australia

Editor: Francis Crome and James Shields

The National Photographic index of Australian Wildlife

Angus & Robertson

1992

"This is an account of all the species of parrots and pigeons found in Australia. The text is designed for the general reader with no prior knowledge of the birds that are dealt with. Each entry provides a summary of what is known about the basic biology of the species, its habitat and distribution. Each species is illustrated and each photograph is chosen for its technical, scientific and aesthetic qualities."

Parrots: A Natural History

John Sparks and Tony Soper

David & Charles (UK) / Checkmark Book (Facts On File?) (USA)

1990

"A natural history of parrots, this book reveals how the 333 species have diversified and spread into the arid land of Australia and even into the sub-Antarctic. The book discusses how the parrot has been valued as a pet for nearly 4,000 years, and how they were one of the natural treasures brought back from the tropics by early navigators. The trade in parrots and the destruction of the rain-forests is currently threatening 73 out of the 333 species. There are now only a handful of Spix's macaws and Mauritius parakeets left. But Psittacosis, a potentially lethal disease that people can catch from these birds, is on the increase and may be the best protection that parrots have against extinction."

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The Galah: Behavioural Ecology of Galahs

Ian Rowley

1990

Parrots of the World

Joseph M. Forshaw

Third Edition

Landowne Press

1989

Parrots, Macaws and Cockatoos: The Art of Elizabeth Butterworth

Elizabeth Butterworth

1988

"British artist Elizabeth Butterworth, has captured the beauty and variety of parrots, macaws and cockatoos. These are presented in this book in a series of paintings and sketches."

Endangered Parrots

Rosemary Low

1984

"This text discusses the controversial status of species taken for aviculture from the wild. It counters the opinion that the hobby is responsible for reducing wild stock, but also emphasizes the importance of conserving the world's wild stocks and encouraging responsible captive breeding."

Conservation of New World Parrots: Proceedings of the ICBP Parrot Working Group Meeting, St. Lucia, 1980

Editor: P.J. Moors

BirdLife International

1981

The Cockatoos and Nestors of Australia and New Zealand

Gracius J. Broinswski

A limited edition publication of 13 colour plates originally published in 1888. In addition to facsimile reproduction of the original plates and text this edition includes supporting appendices.

Australian Parrots

Joseph M. Forshaw

Second (Regular) Edition

Landowne Press

1981

A single volume publication of material originally published in 1980 in a limited edition two volume set.. 312 pages in total with 55 colour plates by William Cooper, plus 55 distribution maps, 55 line drawings. Includes detailed descriptions of every species and subspecies, with information on distribution, habitat, habits, movements, feeding and breeding. Also includes information on parrots in captivity

Australian Parrots

Joseph M. Forshaw

Second (Limited) Edition

Landowne Press

1980

Limited edition two volume publication in a solander box. 380 pages in total with 56 colour plates by William Cooper, plus distribution maps and other illustrations.

Volume I: Loriinae and Cacatuinae (150 pages)

Volume 2: Psittacinae (228 pages)

Subsequently published in a single volume regular edition in 1981.

Parrots of the World

Joseph M. Forshaw

Second Edition

Landowne Press

1978

Parrots of the World

Joseph M. Forshaw

Doubleday

1973

580+ page comprehensive guide to the parrots of the world. Detailed description, full page colour illustrations, maps, bibliography and more."

The Parrots of Australia

William R. Eastman Jr & Alexander C. Hunt

1966

Covers all species with description, colour plate and distribution map for each.

Edward Lear's Parrots

Brian Reade

1949

A 32 page book that includes 12 colour plates of Edward Lear's parrot lithographs.

A Monograph Of The Lories, Or Brush-Tongued Parrots Composing The Family Loriidae

St. George Mivart

R.H. Porter

1896

From the introduction:

"The Parrots which constitute the family Loriidae are a very attractive group of rather small birds. None of them are nearly so large as the Macaws, or even as the common Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus), but vary in dimension, from the size of a Turtle-Dove to about that of a Sparrow. They consist of 75 more or less distinct species, and thus very largely exceed in number not only the nearly extinct family of Nestoridae (with only 3 living species), but also the families Cyclopsittacidae (19 species) and Cacatuidae (27 species), even taken together. On the other hand, they are enormously exceeded by the immense family of the Psittacidae. This last-named group is divided into six subfamilies as follows : the Nasiterninae, with 9 species; the Conurinae, with 102 species; the Pioninae, with 91 species; the Psittacinae, with 8 species; the Palaeornithinae, with 112 species; and, lastly, Platicercinae, with 50 species. Finally the aberrant family Stringopidae contains only 2 species. Therefore the Lories form less than one-sixth part of the whole Order Psittaci. The family is remarkable for its brilliancy and gay coloration; but it is not only the appearance of these birds which makes them so attractive. Some of them, as those of the genus Chalcopsittacus, will spontaneously approach human dwellings, and most of them make excellent pets, except for those persons who cannot tolerate the shrill cries they frequently emit. Some caged individuals have been let free, in suitable weather, and found to return voluntarily to their habitual dwelling-place. They appear, however, to be very indifferent talkers, and of several species kept in captivity it is recorded that they never spoke at all. The Lories are very choice feeders, living as they do on the nectar and pollen of flowers, and mainly on the blossoms of the Eucalypti and coral trees."

Catalogue Of The Psittaci or Parrots In The Collection Of The British Museum

T. Salvadori

Printed By Order Of The Trustees

Sold by: Longman & Co.; B. Quaritch; Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co.; and at the British Museum (Natural History)

1891

From the introduction:

"In the spring of 18S9 I was asked by Dr. Gunther to undertake the volume of the Catalogue containing an account of the Parrots; and now, after more than two years and a half, my work is completed. The materials I have had to deal with, although very large, and no doubt the most extensive existing in any Museum, are much less complete than those belonging to other groups of birds: and I do not consider them adequate either for affording a solid base to a general classification of Parrots, or for fully illustrating the different stages of many of the species. The number of specimens contained in the British Museum is 5113, belonging to 450 species, whilst 49 are not represented in the Museum; so that the total number of species admitted in the present Catalogue is 499, of which 13 are now described for the first time. The number of apparently good species represented by their types is 108, besides 47 others now relegated to the synonymy. Out of these 5113 specimens 118 are osteological preparations, belonging to 53 species."

On a rare Species of Lorikeet in the Rothschild Collection

T. Salvadori

Ibis: Volume 33, Issue 1, pages 48-51

1891

Opening lines:

"One of the most obscure and less-known Lorikeets is, no doubt, Loriculus bonapartei. It was described by De Souance in the 'Revue et Magasin de Zoologie' for 1856, p. 222, as having been obtained from the Sooloo Islands; he says that the type-specimens had bcen collected during the 'Voyage au Pole Sud,' but that Hombron and Jacquinot had omitted to mention them in their account of the birds collected during that celebrated expedition, probably having mistaken thcm for some other well-known species."

The Cockatoos and Nestors of Australia and New Zealand

Gracius J. Broinswski

Uncertain if this was published as a book or as a set of loose plates. The plates had been prepared for the proposed publication Birds Of Australia.

A limited edition book with facsimile reproductions of the plates and their supporting text together with a number of appendices was published by Lansdowne Editions in 1981.

A Review Of The Genus Psittacula Of Brisson

Robert Ridgway

Proceedings of the United States National Museum

1887

Opening lines:

"The number of species of this genus admitted by different writers varies greatly. Exciuding the large number of species by him wrongly referred to it, Dr. Otto Finsch, in his "Die Papageien" (1868), recognizes only five, viz, P. passerina (LINN.), P. sclateri GRAY, P. cyanopyga SOUANCE, P. conspicicillata LAFR., and P. coelestis (LESS). The first of these, however, includes two or more additional species which Dr. Finsch supposed to represent merely immature stages or 'transitional plumages' of P. passerina."

On the Psittaci of the Mascarene Islands

Alfred and Edward Newton

Ibis: Volume 18, Issue 3, pages 281-289

1876

Opening lines:

"Unusual interest attaches itself to the members of the Order Psittaci indigenous to the Mascarene Islands from the fact that, while all of them are species peculiar thereto, the great majority have either already become extinct within the last two hundred years or must be regarded as expiring. A good deal of misapprehension, too, prevails as to the proper habitat of some of them; and this it may be desirable to correct."

On a New Parrakeet of the genus Loriculus from the Philippine Islands

P.L. Sclater

Ibis: Volume 14, Issue 3, pages 323-344

1872

Opening lines:

"In April 1871 the Zoological Society of London obtained by purchase, of a dealer in Liverpool, a pair of Parrakeets of the genus Loriculus, said to have been brought from the Philippine Islands. These I determined as Loriculus culacissi, that being the species in Dr. Finsch’s excellent Monograph with which they appeared to agree most nearly. Along with these birds the Society also obtained a specimen of Tanygnathus luconensis, the Philippine representative of these large-billed Parrots, which was likewise new to the Society's collection."

On the Psittacidae of Central America

Osbert Salvin

Volume 13, Issue 1, pages 86-100

Isis

1871

Opening lines:

"Having recently received, in a collection from Veragua, two Parrots, one of which is apparently quite new to science, and the other new to the fauna of Central America, I take the opportunity of shortly reviewing such members of the family Psittacidae as are found between the Isthmus of Darien and the northern confines of the South-Mexican avifauna."

The Natural History Of Parrots

Prideaux John Selby

Naturalist’s Library, Volume VI

W.H. Lizars

1836

Opening lines:

"In presenting to our readers a volume containing the natural history of the Parrots, or family Psittacidae, we have to direct their attention to an assemblage of birds, not less remarkable for the peculiarity of their form, the gay varied, and in many instances, splendid plumage in which they are attired, than for the intelligence and docility so many evince in a state of captivity or domestication, and the peculiar facility possessed by several species of imitating the intonations of the human voice, and learning by rote words, and even sentences, which they remember and repeat with clearness and precision."

Illustrations of the Family of the Psittacidae, or Parrots

Edward Lear

1832

42 lithographic plates by Edward Lear bound in a single volume.