What makes a parrot?

[JaydeParrot]

What makes a parrot? I always figured any bird with a hook beak and two toes forward two toes back on each foot was the best way to tell that it was a parrot but some people argue that a cockatoo isn't a parrot. Does anyone know if the toes and beak make a parrot or is there more to it?

[Wolf]

I am sure that there is more to it than just beak and toes but, in accord with everything that I have read thus far cockatoos are considered to be parrots. The family of parrots is broken into 6 major groups and any member of the family is considered to be a parrot.

[Michael]

Actually the true parrot family psittacidae excludes Cockatoos. What you are thinking of is the order psittaciformes which does include all true parrots, cockatoos, and the new zealand parrots. You are right that the defining characteristics of the order of parrots is the hooked bill and zygodactyl feet. Everything else can vary by species so cannot be used to generalize the family or order.