World Parrot Day © Harry Collins/Getty Images
World Parrot Day was started in 2004 and is celebrated every May 31 to bring attention to the birds" plight in the wild. These long-lived, charismatic, intelligent, loyal, and affectionate creatures are threatened by habitat loss, competition from invasive species, and trapping for the pet trade. Indeed, the qualities that make them darlings of the animal world also make them attractive as pets for people.