The first birds that come to mind when people think of keeping birds as pets are parrots. Several people believe that their parrot will repeat what they say. Yet, just a handful of the 350 recognized parrot species can learn to talk!
Given the vast differences between breeds, parrot is a very imprecise term. Parrots of various sizes and wingspans may not be members of the same family, even if they look similar.
As a result, which of these colorful airborne creatures is the best? As it turns out, there are quite a few of them! We’re going to list the 20 greatest kinds of parrots to keep as pets, with enough information about each to help you gets a sense for the differences between them, in order to help you choose from among them.
The 20 Types of Parrots to Keep as Pets
1. African Grey Parrots
Among the most well-known and intelligent parrots is a variety of these that are renowned for their capacity to remember multiple phrases and use them to communicate with their beloved owner.
However, that contact isn’t merely for show. To keep these parrots entertained, they need human interaction.
The fact that African Greys may live up to 60 years in captivity is one of their most amazing qualities! You’ll probably have a lifelong buddy if you get one when you’re young. Your pet will most likely survive if you decide to acquire an African Grey when you’re older.
As a whole, we believe that this is one of the finest parrots to keep as a pet.
2. Cockatoos
Cockatoos are fiercely attached birds that become almost enthralled with their owners. As a result, your Cockatoo has acquired the moniker “Velcro,” since it will forever be glued to your side!
These are parrots that range in size from medium to huge, with crest feathers that stick out. They’re easy to separate from other species.
Several people believe Cockatoos are comparable to two-year-old children because of their high levels of intelligence and propensity to tantrum when not getting enough attention.
3. Macaws
The Macaw is the image that most people think of when they imagine parrots. Large parrots with vibrant hues of red, blue, and gold, it’s a sight to behold.
They may grow to be 20 to 50 inches tall and live for 30 to 50 years. As a result, acquiring a Macaw is a big deal both in terms of space and time. It’s worth noting that Macaws are a loud bird.
They’re best suited for people who don’t have neighbors sharing a wall because their scream can alert family members or neighbors in adjacent flats.
4. Parrotlet
You may want a colorful parrot without having to sacrifice an entire area of your house to get proper room, so you may choose a Parrotlet instead. They don’t need a huge area because they are the tiniest parrots. They need a lot of attention, which they are receiving. These birds are inherently nice, but if they are left alone, they will quickly grow unkind. Your Parrotlet will bond closely with you if you give it enough attention from the beginning. However, your Parrotlet will connect with each other instead of you if you provide them a companion.
5. Cockatiel
The Cockatiels are the Cockatoo family’s smallest member, and they’re highly popular in America. They’re easy to care for and just as easy to get along with, which makes them an excellent choice for a first parrot.
Remember that your Cockatiel can live up to 25 years under proper care, so he’ll be part of the family for a long time! The crest on the head of a cockatiel is readily visible. Paying attention to your Cockatiels’ crest is interesting because it allows you to discern their emotional state.
6. Senegal Parrot
When they’re happy or dissatisfied, several parrots may be quite excitable, screaming and wailing. Nonetheless, the Senegal parrot, a lesser-known parrot breed, is considerably more tranquil and quiet than other kinds of parrots. As a result, they make a wonderful companion for humans. In addition, on average, these parrots are about nine inches long. As a result, they don’t need much room to survive. This is the ideal parrot for an apartment due to its small space requirements and calm demeanor.
7. Parakeets
Parakeets, also known as Budgerigars in the United States, are one of the most popular birds for first-time parrot owners.
They’re small for parrots, measuring about seven inches long and requiring minimal space. The sheer brightness of their colors, on the other hand, makes them fascinating.
These birds are renowned for their inquisitive character, which leads them to explore new regions. They’re also quite gregarious, engaging with their surroundings constantly. Parakeets, on the other hand, need to be kept in pairs or even bigger groups because of their strong flock mentality.
8. Eclectus Parrots
Eclectus parrots are small to medium-sized parrots that live up to 30 years. The color difference between males and femen is one very interesting characteristic of this breed. Males have a beak that looks like candy corn and are almost neon green with red and blue accents. Females feature blue accents and black beaks, and are a vibrant red color.
9. Amazon Parrots
Amazon parrots are very popular as pets because they are brightly colored and have a high intelligence, but you’ll need to be able to care for them. They require a great deal of social interaction on a regular basis. Your Amazon parrot will need a lot of attention every day, so expect to spend most of your time with him. While their numbers in the wild are dwindling owing to over trapping, there exist a variety of Amazon parrots. Green parrots with various accent colors, ranging from 13 to 18 inches in height, make up the majority of these birds.
10. Pionus Parrot
Feelings are worn on the sleeves of Pionus parrots, er, feathers. They’ll be withdrawn and cautious around strangers, but demanding dramatic queens in their family who want to be the focus. They are small for parrots, reaching a maximum length of around 10 inches and can survive up to 30 years with care. Both physically and personality-wise, they are very colorful!
11. Conure Parrot
The Conure parrot is a very active bird that needs more area than other parrots of its size, despite being a medium-sized parrot with an average length of around 20 inches. These birds are vociferous and sociable. They don’t hold back when it comes to expressing their thoughts, and they are prone to vocalizing them all. They are colorful parrots that break away from the typical greens and reds of most parrots, and may be seen in a range of hues of orange and yellow.
12. Burrowing Parrot
The Burrowing parrot is a wonderful option for bird owners who want less commotion and excitement than other parrot species. But, since your Burrowing parrot is quite affectionate, you will be able to maintain that tight connection with them. In reality, these parrots have the ability to connect with an complete family rather than a single individual, which sets them apart from others. They’re also monogamous, and their relationships are very strong.
13. Caique Parrot
The Caique parrot is a small, stocky bird with powerful legs, yet it isn’t the best flier. Rather, they leap and climb to get to where they’re going, limiting flights to a short distance. While they aren’t the most skilled talkers, these parrots can imitate speech. They are, nevertheless, very social and may even learn tricks. The Caique parrot is a fantastic option if you want a smaller parrot that you can really enjoy playing with.
14. Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot
The following are some of the most commonly kept Amazon parrots. They are very prevalent and have a talent for learning many words, therefore they are common. If you want to have a conversation with your bird, consider a Yellow-Naped Amazon parrot. These are some of the greatest-speaking parrots. While this parrot is typically cheap, certain uncommon color variants can cost thousands of dollars. In reality, a $30,000 price tag is quoted for a extremely unique mutation with blue coloring and a white spot!
15. Meyer’s Parrot
The Meyer’s parrot doesn’t like to be the center of attention, despite their tendency to be social and associate with all members of their family. They want to be a part of the family, but from a distance they prefer to observe. Unlike many types of parrots, these birds do not require a lot of attention and can be handled easily. They’re Senegal parrot relatives who are little, brown, and green. While they aren’t as popular as the Senegal, who is the family’s show-stealer, they are quite popular as pets.
16. Ring-Necked Parakeet
The orange ring around these birds’ necks is extremely apparent. These are medium-sized parrots with a cheerful demeanor. They can be quite chatty, which is one of the reasons they’re so popular. They aren’t great imitators of human language, but they are quite vocal and can communicate their feelings via sound.
17. Kakariki Parrots
These parrots are delightful pals who are small and vibrant with a zany personality. They’re incredibly bright, and they pick up new tricks and vocabulary quickly. The average length of a Kakariki parrot is 11 inches. However, just the tip is about half of that length! Parrots don’t make a lot of noise, but they do make a variety of noises to communicate their moods.
18. Timneh Greys
African Grey parrots are almost well-known among bird enthusiasts. However, many people are unaware that there are actually two separate species of African Greys. The Congo African Grey is the most frequent and well-known species, although the Timneh Grey is just as appealing, if not more. The Timneh Grey parrot is more domesticated than its more well-liked relatives and is still very bright and capable of learning human language. Although they don’t mimic voices like their cousin parrots, they sometimes start to resemble words even sooner than the Congo African Grey.
19. Quaker Parakeet
The Quaker Parakeet might be a good option if you’re looking for a smaller parrot that can communicate like a pro. These birds, which are about 11 inches long, are also known for their ability to repeat words and are sometimes called the Monk Parakeet. You should try to discuss everything you’re doing while caring for your Quaker Parakeet. This bird may learn a variety of terms with practice and repetition. It may become quite talkative as well.
20. Lovebirds
The intense connections created by lovebirds are what gives them this name. Neither of these is correct, despite the fact that they must be kept together to be happy or else will die. These are tiny parrots that range in height from five inches to about six and a half inches. They are some of the best pets around. Lovebirds feature short tail feathers, which distinguishes them from many other parrots.
Conclusion
There is no shortage of parrots to choose from if you’re looking for a colorful companion with a cheerful personality. When you think of parrots, the iconic Macaw or African Grey might come to mind, however there are a slew of other gorgeous species to choose from. Before bringing your parrot home, make sure that you’re ready for whatever kind of parrot you’d like. Before you choose a parrot, do some research on the kind of parrot you want to purchase so that you can meet all of their requirements. All birds need a lot of affection, but some require a great deal of interaction while others need a lot of room.