What Bird Sleeps the Way a Bat Does?

Hanging parrots are small, mostly green birds that make up ten known species in the genus Loriculus. Although many birds sleep in positions that seem odd or uncomfortable to observers, hanging parrots are unique in their ability to sleep while hanging upside down. They are sometimes colloquially referred to as "bat parrots."

Identification

Hanging parrots are small birds. They range from 4 to 6 and a half inches in length. These birds weigh approximately 25 to 30 grams, or about one ounce. They have mostly green bodies, wings and tails with patches of red, yellow and blue feathers on the head and throat. Splashes of bright color are visible on the wings, back and tail of some species. Depending on the species, they may have black or red beaks, and the feet are generally gray with black toenails.

Geography

Hanging parrots are found throughout the tropical southern regions of Asia. Few of these unusual birds live on the mainland. However. Indonesian islands are home to seven species of hanging parrots, including the most well-known example of the genus, the blue-crowned hanging parrot. Other species can be found in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Types

There are ten known species of hanging parrots, many of which are differentiated only by the colorful feathers on their heads and throats. Most species of hanging parrots are divided into several sub-species, although these are nearly indistinguishable from each other. The blue-crowned and Philippines hanging parrots are the most commonly seen in captivity, although captive specimens of other species exist in private collections.

Considerations

Hanging parrots are rare in captivity, and several species are endangered in the wild. One sub-species of the Philippines hanging parrot, the Siquijor hanging parrot, is believed to be extinct in the wild and another Philippines sub-species, the Cebu hanging parrot, is confirmed extinct. Because of their rarity, both in captivity and the wild, it is generally considered unethical to keep these birds as pets. Instead, efforts have focused on breeding these unique birds for conservation efforts.

Expert Insight

Hanging parrots are not just unusual because of their sleeping habits; other traits set them apart from most parrots. They tend to use their feet to hold foot they are eating. While this is a common habit in large parrots, it's nearly unheard of in birds of small stature. Unlike the vast majority of parrots, most species of hanging parrots are sexually dimorphic. One other odd habit that sets hanging parrots apart is their method of scratching their own neck. Typically, parrots pass their foot under their wing to accomplish this task, but hanging parrots pass their foot over the wing instead.

Resources

• Avian Web: Hanging Parrots
• Lexicon of Parrots