Pirate Bird: Why Did Pirates Have Pet Parrots? The Mystery Facts Solved
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The act of robbery by a ship or boat is called piracy and is usually done for stealing cargo and other valuable goods.
People who conduct this kind of activity are called pirates, and the dedicated ship they use is called a pirate ship. The age of piracy evolved as pirates became armed with automatic weapons such as assault rifles and machine guns.
Some nations use special ships to ward off pirate attacks. These private vessels use armed security guards and water cannons with high pressure to discourage unwanted raiders.
While women were not allowed in the crew, a few females disguised themselves as males and became famous pirates like Mary Read, Anne Bonny, Ching Shih, Rachel Wall, Grace O'Malley, and Jeanne de Clisson. These female pirates are often referred to as Swashbuckling sisters.
During voyages, pets are good company, but pirates have to be careful when choosing the correct pets to live on the ship, unlike humans. Sometimes long voyages could last for weeks or months that could be very boring.
A companion animal pet can ease such a journey and keep you occupied. Hence, many pirates are thought to have had pets such as parrots that were probably stolen.
Read on and enjoy our articles on Why do crickets chirp? Learn fun facts about cricket's chirping and Are eggs good for cats? For now, let's explore the mysteries behind pirates.
What are the pirate birds called?
Parrots more often started as cargo than all other pets due to their high demand in the European countries. All parrots were highly sought, but the macaw fetched the highest price, which may be the sole reason pirates favored it.
Macaw was preferred as a pirate bird for various reasons. The primary reason was that they could take care of themselves, i.e., during wars or fights, they could quickly fly away from danger and hover above the ship.
They have little chance of drowning and consume very little food. Even in case of low supplies, they can manage.
Pirate birds were named by their owners. Some famous pirate bird names included Ahoy, Cutlass, Drake, Ketch, Calico, Bones, and Blackbeard.
What are Blackbeard's parrots called?
The pirates' favorite bird is the macaw, which has unique characteristics like they are brilliant animals, can learn tricks, and imitate speech. The parrot is very friendly and can help a pirate relax from long, tedious voyages by providing excellent company.
Pepe was the name of the famous Blackbeard parrot in the legends of Blackbeard based on Edward Teach. Pepe was among the unique species of parrots that occupied a specific place just like a macaw.
Pirates usually had a talking parrot on their shoulders to mark their identity. Blackbeard is considered the most feared pirate and notorious of all the pirates. Blackbeard played a significant part in the so-called age of piracy.
Why do pirates keep parrots?
Pirates who made trips to exotic lands had plenty of free time and a good income. Therefore, they could afford unique pets, such as parrots, instead of restricting themselves to ordinary European pets like dogs, cats, and monkeys.
Yes, most of the fictional pirate characters we see often are shown with parrots as their pets. They used to talk to the parrots and make them their companions.
They chose parrots as their pets because they are unique and very sensible. They don't consume much food when compared to dogs, cats, and monkeys. The parrot's diet of seeds, fruits, and nuts can be easily stored onboard.
Parrots usually say what the pirates teach them and repeat after them. 'Treasure Island,' one of the best novels on pirates, describes the one-legged pirate John Silver's parrot called Captain Flint, which used to cry 'pieces of eight' all the time.
Is Jack Sparrow based on a real pirate?
Captain Jack Sparrow is actually a fictional character from the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' This movie on pirates was a huge hit, and most people loved the character of Jack Sparrow.
John Ward was the inspiration behind Jack Sparrow's character. Ward's nickname was 'Sparrow,' and he was known for his most spectacular style, much like a Hollywood icon. It is also believed that pirates still do exist in places such as South China Seas.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of exciting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy. If you liked our suggestions for Pirate bird: Why did pirates have pet parrots? The mystery facts solved, then why not take a look at Why do cats rub their face on things? Animal behavior facts for kids or parrots facts?
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Master of Business Administration
Deepthi ReddyMaster of Business Administration
With an MBA under her belt, Deepthi has discovered her true calling in content writing. Her writing repertoire is diverse, covering travel, movies, pet care, parenting, animals and birds, and more. Her joy of learning and creating has helped her craft well-written and engaging articles. When she isn't writing, Deepthi enjoys exploring new cultures, trying different foods, and spending quality time with her two children aged 7 and 12.
Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Marketing and HR
Pradhanya RaoBachelor of Commerce specializing in Marketing and HR
With a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Christ University, Bangalore, Pradhanya's passion for the English language and literature led her to explore the field of content writing, where she has gained extensive experience in writing, reviewing, editing, and fact-checking. She has also earned certifications in Google Ads Search, Google Ads Display, and Social Media Marketing, showcasing her proficiency in digital marketing.
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