The text is intended to provide a pertinent description of the species without claiming to be exhaustive in any way. It should not be regarded as nor could it be a substitute for specialist literature on a single species or genus. It should however provide the reader with a good initial overview of the species in question. Information not regarded as typical of the species is not included unless it occurs often enough to be of interest.

Every species is described in the Lexicon of Parrots following a format, which is largely self-explanatory. However a few comments may assist as follows on the various headings.

Scientific names: The scientific name consists of the genus and species names together followed by the name of the person, who first described it and the date of the first description. Where the species has several described subspecies the year of the very first description is given. Species or subspecies where it is clear the description is not justified are not included, but usually the reasons for non-inclusion are given in a "Note" following the listing.

English names: The accepted common name in English for the species or subspecies described has been used throughout. If several common names exist, then the one most often used is included. In the few cases where no common name exists for a subspecies, a new one is used based on the distribution area, scientific name, coloration or person first describing the subspecies in question.

German names: The accepted common name in German for the species or subspecies described has been used throughout. If several common names exist, then the one most often used is included. In the few cases where no common name exists for a subspecies, a new one is used based on the distribution area, scientific name, coloration or person first describing the subspecies in question.

Description and illustration: Although each species and subspecies is illustrated, there is also a detailed description. This is necessary as the available illustrative materiel cannot reproduce all the colours of the living bird nor show all the body parts for obvious photographic and printing technical reasons. It should o not be forgotten that the colouring within a species or subspecies can vary considerably and the bird illustrated may not always indicate the "typical" plumage. Where the subspecies vary in size, the information on overall length is usually complemented by wing or tail length.

It was unfortunately not possible to provide photographic material of extinct species or subspecies as living specimens. In these instances the illustration is either painted or a photograph of an original skin. Illustrations of the latter are additionally captioned with the initials of the museum where they were photographed - e.g AMNH for the American Museum of Natural History.

Distribution and maps: For the Information on distribution area and map illustration the overall area where the species or subspecies occurs is indicated. This does not mean the species or subspecies is to be found everywhere within the area marked. Although the distribution area for each subspecies is described separately, the map shows the occurrence of the species as a whole.

Habitats: The typical habitat for the species is given. Where, however, the habitat of a subspecies differs markedly from the others, this is separately described.

Status: The latest known status of a species and in many instances also a subspecies is given. The information dates from 1990 to 1996 - the production years of the Lexicon.

Habits: All the available information in literature on the habits of a species in the wild has been used as reference complemented by the author's own observations and those reported by fieldworkers.

Natural diet: All the available information in literature on the diet of a species in the wild has been used as reference complemented by the author's own observations and those reported by fieldworkers.

Breeding behaviour: All the available information in literature on the diet of a species in the wild has been used as reference complemented by the author's own observations and those reported by fieldworkers. Egg measurements have generally been supplied by Joseph Forshaw's "Parrots of the World", but have also been complemented by information in other literature as well as the author's own findings.

Aviculture: All the available information on the hehaviour of a species in aviculture has been used as reference complemented by the author's own observations and those of other birdkeepers and breeders.

Accommodation: The type and measurements of aviary as well as temperature guidelines for keeping and especially breeding a species in aviculture have been given. These are not necessarily minimum or ideal requirements. Other ways of keeping parrots in aviculture are not excluded.

Diet: The latest information on the diet of a species in aviculture are given complemented by the author's as well as other keepers' and breeders' experiences. Neither the author nor publisher guarantee that the food materiel in the composition described is appropriate for a healthy and balanced diet. This applies especially to species not held or seldom kept in aviculture.

Breeding in aviculture: All the available information in literature for the breeding of a species has been used as reference complemented by the author's own experiences and those of other breeders.