Parrots have always captured the imagination of humans thanks to their bright plumage and ability to mimic speech. This beautifully illustrated book on the world's parrots explores all aspects of their lives, as well as the various parrot families and showcases beautiful photography from around the world. It will also look at threats facing parrots and conservation issues that are relevant. The text will be serious but also readable and accessible to a wide audience. The introduction includes sections on feeding, courtship, breeding and adaptations. There is a chapter on each parrot family, from the huge macaws and cockatoos to the diminutive hanging-parrots and parrotlets and including everything from the familiar budgerigar, which is known as a popular family pet around the world, to those species and families with special features, such as the Kea, Burrowing Parrot and Night Parrot. Closing chapters look at parrots and humans (banding, the pet trade etc), threats and conservation and give a comprehensive checklist of Parrot species and subspecies. In short this will be the best and most up to date book of its size available on the subject.It will appeal to all birdwatchers and nature-lovers everywhere, as well as to the people who keep parrots as pets and to the general public as a gift book.