Parrots, also known as 

psittacines (pronounced /ˈsɪtəsaɪnz/),[2][3] are birds of the roughly

372 species in 86 genera that make up the orderPsittaciformes,[4] found in most warm and tropical
regions. The order is subdivided in three families: the Psittacidae ('true' parrots),
the Cacatuidae(cockatoos) and the Strigopidae (New Zealand parrots).[5] Parrots have a pan-tropical
distribution with several species inhabiting the temperate Southern Hemisphere as well. The
greatest diversity of parrots is found in South America and Australasia.

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and
clawed zygodactyl feet. Most parrots are predominantly green, with other bright colors, and some
species are multi-colored. Cockatoo species range from mostly white to mostly black, and have a
mobile crest of feathers on the top of their heads. Most parrots exhibit little or no sexual dimorphism.
They are the most variably sized bird order in terms of length.

The most important components of most parrots' diets are seeds, nuts, fruit, buds and other plant
material. A few species also eat rats and worms, and the lories and lorikeets are specialised to feed
on nectar from flowers, and soft fruits. Almost all parrots nest in tree holes (or nest boxes in captivity),
and lay white eggs from which emerge altricial (helpless) young.

Parrots, along with ravens, crows, jays and magpies, are some of the most intelligent birds, and the
ability of some parrot species to imitate human voicesenhances their popularity as pets. Trapping of
wild parrots for the pet trade, as well as other hunting, habitat loss and competition from invasive
species, have diminished wild populations, and parrots have been subjected to more exploitation than
any other group of birds.[6] Recent conservation measures to conserve the habitats of some of the
high-profile charismatic parrot species has also protected many of the less charismatic species living
in the ecosystem.[7]

Psittacula is the scientific name for parrot Er1clan3

Great AnswerReport

Relationship with humans

Video of a Blue-fronted Amazon mimicking a human laughing

Humans and parrots have a complicated relationship. Economically they can be beneficial to
communities as sources of income from the pet trade and are highly marketable tourism draws and
symbols. But some species are also economically important pests, particularly some cockatoo
species in Australia. Some parrots have also benefited from human changes to the environment in
some instances, and have expanded their ranges alongside agricultural activity, but many species
have declined as well.

There exist a number of careers and professions devoted to parrots. Zoos and aquariums employ
keepers to care for and shape the behavior of parrots. Some veterinarians who specialize in avian
medicine will treat parrots exclusively. Biologists study parrot populations in the wild and help to
conserve wild populations. Aviculturalists breed and sell parrots for the pet trade.

Tens of millions of parrots have been removed from the wild, and parrots have been traded in greater
numbers and for far longer than any other group of wild animals. [43]Many parrot species are still
threatened by this trade as well as habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and hunting for food
or feathers. Some parrot species are agricultural pests,[44] eating fruits, grains, and other crops, but
parrots can also benefit economies through birdwatching based ecotourism.[45]

[edit]Pets
Pet Cuban Amazons in Cuba

Further information: Companion parrot

Parrots are popular as pets due to their sociable and affectionate nature, intelligence, bright colours,
and ability to imitate human voices. The domesticatedBudgerigar, a small parrot, is the most popular
of all pet bird species. In 1992 the newspaper USA Today published that there were 11 million pet
birds in the United States alone,[46] many of them parrots. Europeans kept birds matching the
description of the Rose-ringed Parakeet (or called the ring-necked parrot), documented particularly in
a first century account by Pliny the Elder.[47] As they have been prized for thousands of years for their
beauty and ability to talk, they have also often been misunderstood. For example, author Wolfgang de
Grahl discusses in his 1987 book "The Grey Parrot," that some importers allowed parrots to drink only
coffee while they were being shipped by boat considering pure water to be detrimental and believing
that their actions would increase survival rates during shipping. (Nowadays it is commonly accepted
that the caffeine in coffee is toxic to birds).

Pet parrots may be kept in a cage or aviary; though generally, tame parrots should be allowed out
regularly on a stand or gym. Depending on locality, parrots may be either wild caught or be captive
bred, though in most areas without native parrots, pet parrots are captive bred.

Parrot species that are commonly kept

as pets include conures, macaws, Amazons, cockatoos, African
Greys, lovebirds, cockatiels, budgerigars, eclectus, Caiques,parakeets, Pionus and Poicephalus.
Species vary in their temperament, noise level, talking ability, cuddliness with people, and care needs,
although how a parrot has been raised usually greatly affects its personality.

Parrots can make excellent companion animals, and can form close, affectionate bonds with their
owners. However they invariably require an enormous amount of attention, care and intellectual
stimulation to thrive, akin to that required by a three year old child, which many people find
themselves unable to provide in the long term.[48] Parrots that are bred for pets may be hand fed or
otherwise accustomed to interacting with people from a young age to help ensure they will be tame
and trusting. However, parrots are not low maintenance pets; they require feeding, grooming,
veterinary care, training, environmental enrichment through the provision of toys, exercise, and social
interaction (with other parrots or humans) for good health. Some large parrot species, including large
cockatoos, Amazons, and macaws, have very long lifespans with 80 years being reported and record
ages of over one hundred. Small parrots, such as lovebirds, hanging parrots, and budgies have
shorter life spans of up to 15–20 years. Some parrot species can be quite loud, and many of the
larger parrots can be destructive and require a very large cage, and a regular supply of new toys,
branches, or other items to chew up. The intelligence of parrots means they are quick to learn tricks
and other behaviors—both good and bad—that will get them what they want, such as attention or
treats.

The popularity, longevity, and intelligence of many of the larger species of pet parrots has led to many
of these birds being re-homed during the course of their long lifespans.

A common problem is that large parrot species which are cuddly and gentle as juveniles will mature
into intelligent, complex, often demanding adults that can outlive their owners. Due to these problems,
and the fact that homeless parrots are not euthanized like dogs and cats, parrot adoption centers and
sanctuaries are becoming more common.

Insect

Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role
in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are amonophyletic lineage within the
superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila. There are nearly
20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families, [1] though many are undescribed
and the actual number is probably higher. They are found on every continent exceptAntarctica, in
every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants.

Bees are adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen, the former primarily as an energy source and the
latter primarily for protein and other nutrients. Most pollen is used as food for larvae.

Bees have a long proboscis (a complex "tongue") that enables them to obtain the nectar from flowers.
They have antennae almost universally made up of 13 segments in males and 12 in females, as is
typical for the superfamily. Bees all have two pairs of wings, the hind pair being the smaller of the two;
in a very few species, one sex or caste has relatively short wings that make flight difficult or
impossible, but none are wingless.

The smallest bee is Trigona minima, a stingless bee whose workers are about 2.1 mm (5/64") long.
The largest bee in the world is Megachile pluto, a leafcutter bee whose females can attain a length of
39 mm (1.5"). Members of the family Halictidae, or sweat bees, are the most common type of bee in
the Northern Hemisphere, though they are small and often mistaken for wasps or flies.

The best-known bee species is the European honey bee, which, as its name suggests,
produces honey, as do a few other types of bee. Human management of this species is known
as beekeeping or apiculture.

Bees are the favorite meal of Merops apiaster, the bee-eater bird. Other common predators
are kingbirds, mockingbirds, beewolves, and dragonflies.
Parrot Species and Characteristics

There are many different species of Parrots, each with their own personalities and specific requirements. We would
you have never kept or had much experience with birds.
Please remember to thoroughly research and never buy on impulse. There is a great deal of information available o
know have kept them. Certain breeds of Parrots can live for many decades and are a big responsibility to take on.
Parrots are known for being noisy birds, although some species (such as cockatoos) are so more than others. You m
to check with your neighbours if you are planning to house your bird outside.
Parrots have large powerful beaks, therefore it is essential to have appropriate housing for them and this also mean
not fully trained.
Below is a few of the popular Parrots species and their characteristics.

Amazons :
There are many different species of Amazons, generally coming from the rainforests in South America. They are well known for their attractive
varying in bright colours, the most popular being the Blue fronted, Orange winged and Double-Yellow head. They range in size from 25 to 45 c
They are a popular pet with a strong personality and would not be recommended if you have not kept birds before. They are responsive to traini
They love to be included on anything going on around them, although it is important to provide toys and entertainment for them when you are b
Amazons should be kept on a good quality parrot mix with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Be careful not to overfeed on seeds and nuts as t

African Grey :
The basic colouring is obviously grey with red tail feathers and a white face.
The African Grey is probably the most popular pet parrot due to its excellent mimicry and vocal skills. They are well known for picking up a lar
tunes. African Greys are quite demanding and a considerable amount of time will need to be spent with them when they are young. They are ne
become stressed or bored they have a tendancy to pluck their feathers. Therefore it is important to spend as much time as possible with them, as
there. Stress can also be reduced by keeping them in a daily routine and in the same environment.
They should be fed on a quality Parrot food, along with fruits & vegetables, as well as seeds as treats.

Eclectus :
Originally from Australia they are a very beautiful bird. The male and female both differ in colour, with the males being green with red feathers
violet. They grow to around 35cms. The feathers on their heads, necks and front are uniquely different being more similar to a hair like texture t
appearance, if any ridges or grooves appear this often indicates poor nutrition and diet.
They enjoy playing and some will learn to speak. It is better if they are constantly handled and talked to when they are babies, otherwise in later
Eclectus need a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits (carrots, green apples, pears) on a daily basis in order to receive vitamins and minerals the
quality mix. They enjoy eating peanuts and other nuts, although the nuts will have had to be removed from their shell, their beaks are not design
they have should be limited to one nut a day otherwise weight may be gained, more commonly so by the females.

Conures :
Originate from Central and South America and vary in size from 23cms upwards. There are also larger species that can grow up to twice this len
popular including the Red-masked Conure which is predominantly green, with red markings on the face and body. There is also the Sun Conure
colours on its wings and tail feather. Finally, the Maroon-bellied Conure is a very popular household pet and is much quieter than the Sun Conu
belly.
Conures can be easily tamed and young birds can often be taught to say a few words. They are very entertaining pets and love to have fun. Som
idea to ensure you have lots of wooden toys and branches available to keep your bird busy.
They should be fed on a quality parrot mix with cereal seeds and fruit/vegetables.

Macaws :
Originate from South America, there are more than 20 species and subspecies. The most popular includes the Blue and Gold Macaw, the Green
Sizes range from as small as 30cms up to 100cms. Extra consideration should be taken when deciding whether to purchase a Macaw as they are
as a child's pet due to their powerful beak.
These are very intelligent birds and can often be taught to do tricks. They are also noisy, although not particularly talented at talking. Purchasing
not kept parrots/birds previously. You must ensure you have enough room for a very large cage and a place for your bird to fly or spread its win
You must ensure you have a good supply of natural branches available for your bird.
They should be fed on a good quality Parrot food along with fruit and vegetables. Macaws also enjoy nuts as a treat.

Cockatoo :
Originally they are from Australia and the Islands of Indonesia. There are various different species of Cockatoos ranging from the beautiful look
(Galah). Their colours range greatly depending on the particular species. Sizes range from as small as 33cms for the lesser sulphur crested Cock
These are demanding birds and need a great deal of attention. Problems may arise if they are not given the correct training and discipline when t
very noisy, you must be sure to check with your neighbour if you are thinking of getting one.
They must be provided with a great deal of mental stimulation, otherwise if boredom occurs they may resort to feather plucking. Toys should be
Depending on the individual species of Cockatoo their diet may vary, they should be fed on a good quality parrot mix, along with fruit and vege

Common Name: Honey bee

Scientific Name: Apis mellifera Linnaeus

Learn about the Honey Bee, Carpenter bee, Bumble bee, Africanized honey  bees

The honey bee exhibits a combination of individual traits and social co-operation which
is unparalleled in the animal kingdom.  Although a hive only needs 20-30 lb. of honey
to survive an average winter, the bees are capable, if given the space of collecting
much more. This is what the beekeeper wants them to do. Honey Bees are the highest
form of insect life, they live in a well organised colony that does not need to hibernate.
They produce honey and store it in wax comb and use the same hive from one year to
the next.A glimpse into the nest makes it apparent why honey bees have fascinated us
from the earliest days of scientific observations. The infrastructure of the nest, the
perfectly uniform and functional comb, is composed of beeswax and is constructed into
a repeating series of almost perfect hexagonal cells. The comb is the stage for the
activity of the colony and is used for almost everything imaginable, from larval nursery
to pantry to message centre.
  Picture of Honey Bee

At the individual level, honey bees have

not one but three types of colony
members: queens, drones and workers,
each with their own specialisations and
place in honey bee society. The queen
reigns over the nest, surrounded by
attendants and fed the rich food she
requires to perform her few but crucial
tasks in the colony.

The queen produces powerful

pheromones, chemical signals to recipient
workers which control many of their
behaviours and provide part of the 'social
glue' which holds honey bee life together.
A highly organised social structure exists
within the colony and elaborate 'dances'
are used to communicate the location of
food sources.

Honey bee eggs hatch regardless of

whether the are fertilized. The female
bees--queens an workers--develop from
fertilized eggs that contain 32
chromosomes.
These 32 chromosomes consist of two sets of 16, one set from each parent. Hence
female bees are said to be diploid in origin. The males (drones) develop from
unfertilized egg which contain only one set of 16 chromosomes from their mother.
Drones are thus haploid in origin This reproduction by the development of unfertilized
eggs is called parthenogenesis

Africanized honey bees ( AHB)
Africanized honey bees are a more temperamental relative of the common garden honey bee,
which is known as the European honey bee (EHB). Honey bees, whether they are European or
African, only sting defensively. They do not go out of their way to sting. B ut some AHB
colonies defend their colonies more intensively and with less provocation than other
bees. The AHB swarms much more frequently than other honey bees. A colony is a group of
bees with comb and brood. The colony may either be managed (white hive boxes maintained
by professional beekeepers) or wild (feral).A group of bees that are in the process of leaving
their parent colony and starting a nest in a new location is called a "swarm."

Usually a new queen is reared to stay with the parent colony and the old queen flies off with
the swarm. Scout bees often locate potential nest sites prior to swarming, but the swarm may
spend a day or two clustered in impressive, hanging clumps on branches or in other
temporary locations until the bees settle on a new nesting site. If they can't find a suitable
location, the bees may fly several miles and cluster again. Regardless of myths to the
contrary, Africanized honey bees do not fly out in angry swarms to randomly attack unlucky
victims. However, the AHB can become highly defensive in order to protect their hive, or
home. Again, it is now better to consistently exercise caution with respect to all bee activity.
So keep your distance from any swarm of bees.

Carpenter bees
Large carpenter bees are readily distinguished from bumble bees primarily by
the absence of pubescence on the dorsum of the abdomen, which is
somewhat shiny. They also lack a malar space (present in bumble bees), and
the triangular second submarginal cell. Carpenter bees rarely attack painted
or varnished wood. While natural wood may be attractive, if there is a problem
with carpenter bees, you may have to apply a finish to the wood. These bees
often cause problems on structures by boring into the surface of the wood
that is the back face of the trim under the eaves, as this surface is usually not
painted. A buzzing or drilling sound is heard when the bee is boring into the
wood. If the hole is not visible, often the case when the bee is boring into the
backside of trim, look for sawdust on the ground under the hole.

Bumble bees
Bumble bees are large, social bees which produce annual colonies. Mated queens
overwinter in the soil and emerge from hibernation in early spring when they feed on
spring flowers and search for a suitable location, such as a former rodent nest in the
soil, to begin their colonies. Workers emerge about 21 days after the eggs are laid and
take over the duties of pollen and nectar collection as well as colony defense. The size of
the workers increases with each new brood. The third caste of bumble bees, the males,
are usually produced in midsummer.  Bumble bees are easily recognized by the
corbicula or pollen basket on the hind tibiae in the females. Honey bees are the only
other bees in Florida with this structure, but are easily recognized by their smaller size,
hairy eyes, and lack of hind tibial spurs.

Honey Bee - Facts

Bees maintain a temperature of 92-93 degrees Fahrenheit in their central brood nest
regardless of whether the outside temperature is 110 or -40 degrees.
Honey bees produce beeswax from eight paired glands on the underside of their
abdomen. 

Honey bees must consume about 17-20 pounds of honey to be able to biochemically
produce each pound of beeswax.

Honey bees can fly up to 14 kilometers from their nest in search of food. Usually,
however, they fly one or two miles away from their hive to forage on flowers. 

Honey bees are entirely herbivorous when they forage for nectar and pollen but can
cannibalize their own brood when stressed. 

Worker honey bees live for about 4 weeks in the spring or summer but up to 6 weeks
during the winter. 

Honey bees are almost the only bees with hairy compound eyes. 

A populous colony may contain 40,000 to 60,000 bees during the late spring or early
summer. 

The brain of a worker honey bee is about a cubic millimeter but has the densest
neuropile tissue of any animal. 

Honey is 80% sugars and 20% water. 

Honey has been used for millenia as a topical dressing for wounds since microbes
cannot live in it. It also produces hydrogen peroxide. Honey has even been used to
embalm bodies such as that of Alexander the Great. 

Honey bees fly at 15 miles per hour. 

A queen bee can control the flow of sperm to fertilize an egg when she is about to lay an
egg. Honey bees have an unusual genetic sex determination system known as
haplodiploidy. Worker bees

Characterstics

While easily confused at a distance or without close observation, there are many different
characteristics of bees and wasps which can be used to identify them.

  Bees Wasps (Family: Vespidae)

Western Bumblebee Yellow Jacket Paper Wasp Bald-faced Hornet (Europea

honey bee
 hornet n hornet)

Amber to Yellow with

brown black
translucent stripes, Black and opaque Dusty yellow to Black and ivory Black and dark
Colo
alternating sometimes bright yellow dark brown or white markings. body with yellow.
rs [2]
with black with red tail, stripes. (video) black. (video) (video)  (video)
stripes.[1]  to dark.
(video) (video)

Furry (short Furry (long

Coat Little or no hair. Some hair.
hair). hair).

1.3 cm 2.5 cm 1.9 to 2.5 cm up to 1.9 cm up to 3.5 cm

Size 1.3 cm (0.51 in)
(0.51 in) (0.98 in)[3] (0.75 to 0.98 in) (0.75 in) (1.4 in)

Not generally visible while Two long legs are visible hanging down during flight. There are no pollen
Legs
flying.[4] baskets.

Beh
avio Gentle.[5][6] Gentle.[6] Aggressive.[6] Gentle.[6] Aggressive.[6] Gentle.[7][6]
r

Other insects,
overripe fruit,
Foo sugary drinks,
Nectar from flowers. Other insects.
d human food /
food waste, meat.
[8]

Stin Kills bee.[9], Retracts; can repeat (smooth).

g continues
pumping
 (barbed)

Stin
g 2.x 2.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 2.x[7]
Pain

Ligh
Not attracted to lights at night.[10] Attracted to lights at night.
ts

Large colonies
Large paper nest,
of flat wax- Small umbrella-shaped papery Very large paper
Small upside down pear
Live based combs hanging horizontally in nest in hollow
cavities in shaped, hanging
s in honeycomb protected spaces such as attics, trees, sheltered
the soil. from branches. /
hanging eaves or soil cavities. positions.[12]
eaves[11]
vertically.

Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with

narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae (or Gramineae)
family, as well as the sedges (Cyperaceae) and the rushes (Juncaceae). The true grasses
include cereals,bamboo and the grasses of lawns (turf) and grassland. Sedges include many
wild marsh and grassland plants, and some cultivated ones such as water chestnut (Eleocharis
dulcis) and papyrus sedge (Cyperus papyrus). Uses for graminoids include food (as grain, sprouted
grain, shoots or rhizomes), drink
(beer, whisky), pasture for livestock, thatch, paper, fuel, clothing, insulation, construction, sports
turf, basket weaving and many others

(Major lawn grasses in bold)

TurfGrasses.com – NAMES
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airiodes
Alkaligrass Puccinellia distans
Bahiagrass Paspalum notatum
Bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon
Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides
Buffelgrass Cenchrus ciliaris
Barley - California Hordeum californicum
Barley - Common Hordeum vulgare
Barley - Meadow Hordeum brachyantherum
Bentgrass - Colonial Agrostis capillaris
Bentgrass - Creeping Agrostis palustris
Bentgrass - Spike Agrostis exerata
Big Quaking Grass Briza maxima
Bluegrass - Annual Poa annua
Bluegrass - Big Poa ampla
Bluegrass - Canby Poa canbyi
Bluegrass - Canada Poa compressa
Bluegrass - Kentucky Poa pratensis
Bluegrass - Pine Poa scabrella
Bluegrass - Rough Poa trivialis
Bluegrass - Sandberg Poa secunda
Bluestem - Big Andropogon gerardii
Bluestem - Little Schizachyruim scoparium
Bluestem - Sand Andropogon hallii
Brome - Arizona Bromus arizonicus
Brome - California Bromus carinatus
Brome - Meadow Bromus biebersteinii
Brome - Mountain Bromus marginatus
Brome - Red Bromus rubens
Brome - Smooth Bromus inermis
Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides
Carpetgrass Axonopus fissifolius
Centipedegrass Eremochloa ophiuroides
Deergrass Muhlenbergia rigens
Dropseed - Sand Sporobolus cryptandrus
Dropseed - Prairie Sporobolus heterolepis
Eastern Gamagrass Tripsacum dactyloides
Fescue - Arizona Festuca arizonica
Fescue - Chewings Festuca rubra var. Commutate
Fescue - Creeping Red Festuca rubra var. Rubra
Fescue - Foxtail Festuca megalura
Fescue - Hard Festuca longifolia
Fescue - Idaho Festuca idahoensis
Fescue - Meadow Festuca elatior
Fescue - Molate Fescue rubra
Fescue - Sheeps Fescue ovina var. Ovina
Fescue - Tall Festuca arundinacea
Foxtail - Creeping Alopecurus arundinaceaus
Foxtail - Meadow Alopecurus pratensis
Galleta Hilaria jamesii
Grama - Black Bouteloua eriopoda
Grama - Blue Bouteloua gracilis
Grama - Sideoats Bouteloua curtipendula
Hairgrass - Tufted Deschampsia caespitose
Indian Rice Grass Oryzopsis hymenoides
Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans
Lovegrass - Sand Eragrostis trichodes
Lovegrass - Weeping Eragrostis curvula
Melic - California Melica californica
Needle & Thread Stipa comate
Needlegrass - Foothill Stipa lepida
Needlegrass - Green Stipa viridula
Needlegrass - Nodding Stipa cernua
Needlegrass - Purple Stipa pulchra
Orchardgrass  Dactylis glomerata
Prairie Junegrass Koeleria pyramidata
Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia
Redtop Agrostis alba
Reed Canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea
Saint Augustine grass Stenotaphrum secundatum
Sloughgrass Spartina pectinata
Ryegrass - Annual Lolium multiflorum
Ryegrass - Perennial Lolium perenne
Sprangletop - Green Leptochloa dubia
Squirreltail - Bottlebush Sitanion hystrix
Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
Three awn - Purple Aristida purpurea
Timothy Phleum pratense
Wheatgrass - Bluebunch Agropyron spicatum
Wheatgrass - Crested Agropyron cristatum
Wheatgrass - Desert Agropyron desertorum
Wheatgrass - Intermediate Agropyron intermedium
Wheatgrass - Pubescent Agropyron trichophorum
Wheatgrass - Slender Agropyron trachycaulum
Wheatgrass - Streambank Agropyron riparium
Wheatgrass - Tall Agropyron elongatum
Wheatgrass - Western Agropyron smithii
Wildrye - Blue Elymus glaucus
Wildrye - Canada Elymus Canadensis
Wildrye - Creeping Elymus triticoides
Wildrye - Russian Elymus junceus
Zoysiagrass - Japonica Zoysia japonica
Zoysiagrass - Matrella Zoysia matrella
Zoysiagrass - Tenuifolia Zoysia tenuifolia

TurfGrasses.com

Characteristics and Growth Requirements of Grass Types

One size fits all unfortunately doesn't apply to grass! Find the right grass type for your lawn!

In many of the articles on this site, we frequently mention that in order to best care for your grass, you
need to know what species it is, and the unique care requirements for that type of lawn grass. While
characteristics of care are mostly similar for several grass types, each grass has its own mowing
requirements and feeding requirements.  Water use varies by species and climate.

Zoysia Grass Types

Preferred climate: does best in warmer, humid areas in the southern United States.  Some cultivars
are more cold or shade tolerant than others.

Nutrient Requirements: Uses three to five pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 feet during the growing
season.

Water Requirements: Drought tolerant once established.

Mowing Height: Depends upon the cultivar; generally happiest between ¾ and 1 ½ inches

Other: Very slow growing. If you want to plant a lawn from Zoysia, it is best to use sod.  Will establish
via plugs, but will not reach optimum coverage for one year using this method.

Bluegrass
Preferred climate: A cool season type of lawn grass that grows best between 60-70 degrees,
Fahrenheit.

Nutrient Requirements: Needs 5-6 pounds of nitrogen per year during establishment.  After it is well-
established, can live on 2-3 pounds per 1,000 square feet per year.

Water Requirements: Needs the most water during the spring and fall when it is actively growing. 
Growth will slow dramatically during the summer.

Mowing Height: Does best with a mowing height of between 2 ½ to 3 inches.

Other: This grass is an annual grass that re-seeds prolifically.  It continuously forms new rhizomes
(modified stems), which is another way that the grass spreads and grows.

Bermudagrass
Preferred climate: This type of lawn grass prefers a warm climate.  It is very cold sensitive. It will
actively (though that is a somewhat subjective term) grow in temperatures down to 34 degrees
Fahrenheit, but beyond that, the grass grows dormant.  It needs full sun to grow well.  Bermudagrass
is not at all shade tolerant.

Nutrient Requirements: A heavy feeder, this grass type can use regular applications of nitrogen
throughout the growing season.

Water Requirements: Bermuda is not a picky turf, though it will go dormant or become susceptible to
insect problems if it becomes overly dry.

Mowing Height: Depending upon the cultivar, Bermudagrass is happiest when mown at a height of
between ¾ and 1 inch.  This turf needs to be mown very short.
Other: Bermuda is used for so many different things-athletic fields, golf courses, and ball fields
because it can take heavy foot traffic, and will recover well from it.  It is a very aggressive turf, so it is
best not to plant this turf on the border with another.  Because of its aggressive growth habit, this
grass is good for erosion prone areas and for bank stabilization.  It spreads via running stems, and is
best established via sod.

St Augustine
Preferred climate: St Augustine grass is a warm season perennial grass type that is originally native
to Mexico.  It prefers humid climates, so it can grow as far north as the coastal Carolinas in the
southern United States.  It does not do well in overly dry conditions.

Nutrient Requirements: St Augustine grass does not need a lot of heavy feeding, but it does
respond well to nitrogen feedings, and will “green up” and grow lavishly after being fed.

Water Requirements: Needs at least one inch of water per week.  It can survive in cooler climates if
they are humid with adequate rainfall.

Mowing Height: Performs best at a height of 2 to 2 ½ inches.  Mowing goes a long way toward
promoting good growth habits with this grass type.

Other: It is considered a good pasture grass, but because it does not do well in dry conditions, it has
yet to become very widely used outside of southern coastal regions.

Factors to Consider when Selecting Lawn Grass Types

The health of your lawn depends greatly on your ability to care for the grass adequately.  It is much
easier to care for grass that is happy in its location-well suited to its location-than to try to continually
change the current growing conditions.  Homeowners should carefully consider the following when
selecting a lawn grass:  drainage condition of soil, organic matter content, yearly climate and
temperature fluctuations, and the amount of sun or shade the grass will receive.  Water availability is
also a consideration.  Planting a type of grass that will do well within the current growing conditions
will go a long way toward ensuring lawn health without constant soil maintenance.

Psittacines are birds that belong to the order Psittaciformes. Common psittacines include budgies, cockatiels,
lories, cockatoos, conures, amazons, African greys, lovebirds, senegals, and jardines. Sizes range from the Buff-
faced Pygmy Parrot of New Guinea (3.5 inches in length) to the Hyacinth Macaw from South America (almost 40
inches). Most live in tropical or subtropical areas, although a few may be found in southern temperate zones.

There are three families and 360 species in 80 genera within the order. The three
families are:

 Loriidae - lories and lorikeets

 Psittacidae - parrots and parakeets
 Cacatuidae - cockatoos and cockatiels

Physical characteristics
Two characteristics set psittacines apart from other birds. Psittacines have:

 A strong, hooked beak (maxilla) which has a hinge-like flexible attachment to the skull. The beak fits
over the lower portion, called the mandible. Psittacines use the beak to aid in locomotion and larger
birds also use it for prehension (holding objects).
 Zygodactyl toes (2 point forward and 2 point back). The positioning of the toes is especially useful for
climbing and prehension. Psittacines are reportedly the only birds that hold their food in one foot to eat
 it.

The large beak and arrangement of toes allow psittacines to easily climb among branches in search of food. In
addition, psittacines have a large, rounded head; short neck and legs; and usually bright plumage.

Eating and digestion

Psittidae and Cacatuidae have a very muscular tongue, which they use to move food out
of the mouth and into the esophagus. The Loriidae have thinner tongues, which they
use to collect nectar and pollen from flowers. Since they do use their beaks for cracking
open food, they are called "Soft-billed Parrots," however, their beaks are still incredibly
tough and strong. The cockatoos have a strong, heavy beak and most of them have a
notch in the lower mandible, which allows them to better grasp and crack open their food.
Some cockatoos do not feed on seeds and nuts, but on insect larvae.

Psittacines have a crop, which is an enlarged portion of the esophagus that holds the
food. In the crop, food starts to be broken down by enzymes and moistened so it can pass
down the digestive system (birds produce very little saliva). From the crop, food is
periodically moved into the proventriculus, which corresponds to our stomach, and is
sometimes called the "first stomach" or "true stomach." The proventriculus secretes acids
and enzymes that further break down the food. The food is then passed into the ventriculus or gizzard. The
gizzard is very muscular (except in Loriidae) and works to grind the food into smaller particles so the nutrients
can be extracted by the small intestine. As with mammals, secretions from the liver (bile) and pancreas enter the
intestine where the final breakdown of the food occurs. Excess water is absorbed toward the end of the intestine,
and waste products are stored in the rectum until the bird passes them through the cloaca in combination with
waste products from the kidneys.

Communication
Most psittacines are social animals that live in families, groups, or flocks, which in the case of budgies, may have
up to one million members. As a result of their interactions, psittacines have developed excellent communication
skills. Most mate for life, forming very strong bonds. These two characteristics of communication and forming
strong bonds, plus their sometimes amazing intelligence, has made them very popular pets. In the home, the
people become the bird's family, and frequent interaction with humans is necessary for their well-being.

In addition to the voice, members of the Cacatuidae family have an erectile crest,
which they use for communication. If alarmed, excited, or making sexual displays,
they will raise the crest. If alarmed, they may also make a hissing sound.

Reproduction
Most species are monomorphic, meaning there are no, or only subtle, outward
physical characteristics which can distinguish male from and female birds. In others,
the color of the plumage (e.g., Stella's Lory), cere (e.g., budgies), or iris of the eye
(e.g., Salmon Cockatoo) may differ by gender.

Hollow logs and tree cavities are the preferred nesting sites of most psittacines,
although some use termite mounds. Most species do not line the nest; Lovebirds are an exception. Monk Parrots
actually build large nests of twigs and branches with multiple chambers, one for each pair. Psittacines usually lay
2-4 round, white eggs, although smaller species may lay as many as eight. The eggs are incubated by the
female, and hatch within 16-35 days, depending upon the species. The newly hatched birds are altricial, which
means they are born with eyes closed, have only a fine covering of down, and are totally dependent upon their
parents. Both male and female birds usually care for the young, who fledge (leave the nest) in 3 weeks to 4
months. Sexual maturity is reached at 6 months to 6 years, again, depending upon the species. Usually, the
larger the bird, the longer these time periods are.