All over the world, PARROTS are popular pets and zoo attractions. What is it about these mythic birds that so intrigues us? Is it their stunning plumage? Their abilities with human speech? Or the fact that some species possess an intellect that rivals that of dolphins or chimpanzees? Parrots have been domesticated for centuries and have been documented in ancient literature for thousands of years. Throughout the ages, they have been valued by humans for spiritual, sensual, and mythical purposes. Yet habitat destruction and poaching have rendered many once-plentiful species extinct and placed countless others on the endangered list. This lavish volume captures the beauty and mystery of parrots in stunning, full-color photography. The rich narrative details the place of these mythic birds in history, legend, and lore and examines the threats that deforestation, poaching, and pollution have placed on their very existence. PARROTS, a title in the popular series Pet Library, is an illustrated, practical guide to animals we love so much that we make them part of the family.