American Toby Jug Museum 

Parrot toby jug produced in China by Raymond Waites of New York City, New York, circa 2000. Parrots are birds of the roughly 398 species in 92 genera comprising the order Psittaciformes, found mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. One-third of all parrot species are threatened by extinction. Parrots have a generally pantropical distribution with several species inhabiting temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere as well. The greatest diversity of parrots is in South America and Australasia. Characteristic features of parrots include a strong, curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. A tree branch forms the handle of the jug.