Budgie parakeets > Talking birds > Honduras parrot

Honduras parrot

There are comparatively few of these birds imported and practically all of them stay in the southern states. Where known, they are highly valued and sell at a larger price than most other varieties.

There are several species of parrots native to Honduras, but the best is the socalled yellow neck, owing to the yellow spot on the back of the neck which spreads and grows larger as the bird becomes older. The body color is clear dark green.

In certain sections they are considered superior to the Mexican or any other American parrot in talking ability, as they show unusual intelligence, learn quickly and have a retentive memory.

The young birds, however, are more delicate than most other species, and hence are not as satisfactory in the northern states, where they are subject to colds, etc. They also have the objectionable habit of rolling themselves in the dirt, and when kept in a cage they sometimes continue the rolling in the filth, which gives them a dirty, untidy appearance. They, however, usually discontinue this as they grow older.

One of our southern correspondents who has handled more of these birds probably than anyone else, being the leading importer in his part of the country for the last twenty-five years, says that he considers them superior to all others, owing to their gentle nature and the fact that they learn more quickly and repeat the words more clearly than other species.

One gentleman in Kentucky writes that he purchased a young bird which had a repertoire of only five words, but in three weeks it was the wonder of the neighborhood, saying almost everything and calling the servants and others around the house by name.

There is also a variety of Honduras parrot with blue head, which is valued quite highly as to talking ability, but is not considered equal to the first named.

Daring the past week we have received a letter from a large dealer in mahogany lumber at Belize, who speaks very highly of the Honduras parrots. They are not plentiful, however, even in the forests inland, and they command good prices. The birds make their nests in holes in the pine trees about fifty feet or more from the ground. To secure the parrots they usually chopped down the trees.