Lots of different characteristics, actually. First off, let’s get that scientific name out of the way. Parrots belong to a family called Psittacidae, otherwise identified as climbing birds.

Within this large, extended families are different branches, including the parrot proper as one branch is referred to, Macaws, Cockatoos, Lories, Paroquets or Parakeets depending on the spelling.

Parrots are so terrifically diverse. Just what makes them all parrots? Quite a bit apparently. Every parrot, no matter his size, color, or personality, all share certain traits.

Each member of the parrot family has a tongue. But not just any tongue. It’s soft, thick and fleshy. And it’s really quite mobile. And each member of the parrot family possesses a complex larynx that has three distinct muscles. And this not only helps to distinguish them as parrots but it allows them to “parrot” us humans quite well.

In a few of the parrot species the tongue even comes to a point, looking somewhat like the end of an acorn. Additionally, you may find that the skin of the tongue is covered with small papillae – fingerlike appendages that are slightly flattened and arranged longitudinally.

Even though you may think that the tongue on these birds evolved specifically for mimicking sounds, nothing could be further from the truth. In the parrot, the tongue is actually one of the sense organs, much like it is for us. The parrot tastes, touches and swallows with this organ.

And, of course, each parrot has a beak. Some possess one that’s larger than another specie, but make no mistake about it, each parrot has a distinctive beak to call his own. If you were to study the beak of each member of this bird family, you’d learn that each is large, thick hard and fairly solid. And it’s more than often has a rounded shape. The beak is also a very valuable tool he uses in climbing, walking, and even resting his body weight comfortably on his beak.

The jaw is only loosely hinged with the skull. It’s, nonetheless, connected to the beak with a strong membrane as well as bones placed on either side of the bird’s head. And because of this the parrot can lift and depress his upper jaw at will. This also allows the bird to open his bill wider.

It’s that little cock of his head that makes the parrot so delightfully cute – and at the same time gives him the appearance of great intelligence, when he seriously studies an object that is close to him.

And there’s good reason for this. His eyes are placed on either side of his head. He actually cannot distinguish small objects which are held close to him without turning his head to one side.

The upper and lower lids of his eyes are actually a continuous single lid, forming a rounded opening for the eyeball. If you ever really take a good, long look at a parrot, you’ll notice that he seldom winks like you or I do. He really doesn’t need to.
Even though the upper portion of the lid is mobile, the bird possesses the power to contract his pupil at will, independent of the presence of light or dark.

This contrasts to our pupil which dilates or expands automatically when we enter either the bright daylight or a dark room. He uses this power, most notably, when he’s angry, fearful or struck by some other strong emotion. As the bird ages, additionally, the color of his iris deepens.

Further reading : Parrots and Parakeets