The term “discovery” regarding parrots is complex, referring to their evolutionary emergence, first human documentation, or formal scientific classification. Parrots (order Psittaciformes) are a diverse group of over 400 species known for their zygodactyl feet, strong curved beaks, vibrant plumage, and intelligence. Their discovery is not a single event but a timeline spanning millions of years of natural history and thousands of years of human interaction, beginning with the fossil record.
The Deep Past: Evolutionary Origins of Parrots
Molecular studies suggest the parrot lineage (Psittaciformes) began diverging approximately 59 million years ago, likely centered in the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, perhaps Australasia. However, the earliest uncontroversial parrot fossils have been unearthed in the northern hemisphere, particularly Europe.
Confirmed fossil remains date back to the tropical Eocene epoch, 50 to 55 million years ago, indicating parrots were present in areas like modern-day Scandinavia. For example, Mopsitta tanta, found in Denmark, dates to about 54 million years ago. These early forms were generalized arboreal birds lacking the specialized seed-crushing bills characteristic of modern species. Clear fossils of anatomically modern parrots appear later, approximately 20 to 23 million years ago, predominantly in the European fossil record.
Parrots in Antiquity: Early Cultural Knowledge
Parrots were first documented in ancient Asian cultures, with evidence suggesting their presence in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BCE. Their introduction to the Mediterranean world stemmed primarily from India, facilitated by trade and military expansion in the Old World.
The earliest known European literary reference dates to 397 BCE in Indica by the Greek physician Ctesias, describing a large, talking bird. Alexander the Great’s campaigns into India around 327 BCE introduced the first parrots to Greece, leading to the Alexandrine Parakeet being named in his honor. Parrots became highly valued status symbols among the wealthy in Greece and Rome, especially following the Roman conquest of Egypt.
Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder described the bird, which he called Psittace, in the first century CE, noting its ability to mimic human speech. These birds were often housed in elaborate cages, signifying the owner’s wealth and access to distant trade routes. The parrots known in antiquity were primarily Old World species, such as the African Grey and various ring-necked parakeets from Asia and Africa, brought westward via established trade networks.
The Age of Exploration and Global Scientific Documentation
The global scope of parrot diversity became known during the Age of Exploration, beginning in the late 15th century. European voyagers encountered many previously unknown species in the New World and Australasia. Christopher Columbus noted parrots in the Caribbean in 1492, bringing New World species, such as the Cuban Amazon, back to Spain.
The subsequent centuries saw a shift from anecdotal accounts to systematic scientific documentation by naturalists. Large numbers of species from the Neotropical Americas (including macaws and Amazons) and Australasia (such as cockatoos) appeared in Europe as commodities and subjects for study. This influx of specimens necessitated a formal system for organization and classification.
The scientific classification culminated in the 18th century with the work of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. In his 1758 Systema Naturae, Linnaeus formally classified and named many parrot species, establishing the modern taxonomic foundation for the order Psittaciformes. This system allowed for the differentiation and documentation of hundreds of species, marking the official scientific recognition of parrots worldwide.