Parrots are the most common bird that people associate with birds as pets. Many people picture their parrots talking with them and copying their words. Only a handful of the 350 species of parrots can learn to speak.
Given the vast differences in breeds, the parrot is a vague term. Parrots can look different from one another, even if they are part of the same family.
Which of these brightly colored winged creatures makes the best companion? There are many! We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best parrots for pets to help you narrow down your choices and give you enough information to get to know each one.
1. African Grey Parrots
These parrots are among the most famous and intelligent. They can learn many words and use them to communicate with their owner. This interaction isn’t just for show. These parrots require interaction in order to stay happy.
The amazing thing about African Greys is their ability to live up to 60+ years in captivity. You’ll most likely have a companion for life if you get one while you’re still young. If you get an African Grey while you are older, it will likely survive you.
We think this parrot is a great pet.
2. Cockatoos
Cockatoos can be very demanding birds and become obsessed with their owners. Cockatoos are very loyal and will stick by you, hence the nickname “Velcro”.
These parrots are medium-sized to large in size and have protruding crown feathers that help them distinguish themselves from other species. Cockatoos can be compared to two-year-old children because of their intelligence and tendency to throw tantrums if they are not being paid enough attention.
3. Macaws
The Macaw, a large bird that is covered in vivid shades of red, gold, and blue, is what most people associate with parrots. They can live for up to 30 years and can grow to 20- 50 inches tall. Macaws require a lot of space and time.
Macaws can be very noisy. Macaws can be very noisy and wake neighbors or family members in nearby apartments.
4. Parrotlet
Parrotlets are a great option if you’re looking for the companionship and color of a parrot, but don’t want to give up a whole room in your home. Parrotlets are the smallest of parrots so they don’t require much space.
They do require a lot of attention. Although they are naturally friendly, they will become more distant if left alone. Your Parrotlet will quickly bond with you if you give them lots of attention right from the beginning. If you provide enough attention from the beginning, your Parrotlet will bond with you.
5. Cockatiel
Cockatiels, the smallest member of the Cockatoo clan, are extremely popular in America. Cockatiels are easy to take care of and get along well with other parrots, making them a great choice for first parrots. They can live up to 25+ years if they are well cared for, so you will have a Cockatiel as part of your family for many years!
Cockatiels are instantly identifiable by their crest. It’s amazing that your Cockatiels can be identified by their crest.
6. Senegal Parrot
Parrots can get very excited, shrieking, and screeching when they are happy or sad. The Senegal parrot is a less-known breed of parrot but it is calmer and more peaceful than most other parrots. They are a great choice for pets.
These parrots average nine inches in length. They don’t require much space to thrive. This parrot is perfect for apartments because it requires very little space and has a calm disposition.
7. Parakeets
For first-time owners of parrots, Parakeets (also known as Budgerigars in the United States) are a popular choice. Their size is small, at an average of seven inches, which makes them ideal for smaller spaces. They are a sight to behold with their vivid colors.
They are well-known for their curiosity and desire to explore new places. Parakeets are social and interact with others constantly. Parakeets can be kept in large groups or pairs due to their strong flock mentality.
8. Eclectus Parrots
Eclectus parrots are medium-sized companions and can live up to 30+ years. This breed has a unique trait: the difference in color between males and women. The males have a neon green color with blue accents and a beak that looks like candy corn. The bright red color of females is accompanied by blue accents and black eyes.
9. Amazon Parrots
Amazon parrots are a popular pet. They are highly intelligent and wildly colorful. However, you will need to be able to provide high-quality care. They require a lot of social interaction almost every day. You can expect to spend a lot of time keeping your Amazon parrot happy each day.
Although there are many Amazon parrot species, their numbers are declining due to over-trapping. These parrots range in height from 13-18 inches and are usually green with accent colors.
10. Pionus Parrot
Pionus parrots show their emotions with their feathers or sleeves. They can be quiet and reserved around strangers but will demand drama queens if they want to be the center of attention with their family.
They are small for parrots and measure around 10 inches in height. With proper care, they can live up to 30 years. They are very vibrant, both in personality and physical appearance.
11. Conure Parrot
Conures are medium-sized parrots, measuring approximately 20 inches in length. However, they require more space than other parrots their size.
These birds are extremely social and loud. These birds are not afraid to express their emotions and will often vocalize their thoughts. They are colorful birds and often appear in different shades of yellow and orange than the usual greens and reds found in most parrots.
12. Burrowing Parrot
The Burrowing Parrot is much more gentle than other species of parrots and is an excellent choice for bird-keepers who don’t want the excitement and noise associated with parrots. You’ll still be able to bond with your Burrowing Parrot because they are very affectionate.
These parrots are able to bond with a whole family and not just one person. They are also known to be monogamous, remaining loyal to their partner.
13. Caique Parrot
The Caique parrot is short and stocky. However, they are not great flyers. They prefer to jump and climb to get to their destination, which keeps flights short.
Although they can mimic speech, these parrots are not very good at it. They are still very social and can learn tricks. The Caique parrot is an ideal choice if you are looking for a smaller parrot you can have fun.
14. Amazon Parrot Yellow-Naped
These parrots are very popular and easy to care for as pets. They are very popular and can learn many different words. They are among the most intelligent parrots. If you’re looking for a way to converse with your bird, a Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot is a good choice.
Although they are generally inexpensive, there are rare colors that can be found in this parrot. These rare variations can fetch high prices. A very rare mutation that has blue coloring and a white spot can fetch as high as $30,000
15. Meyer’s Parrot
Although they enjoy being social and bonding with their family members, Meyer’s Parrot does not like to be the center of attention. While they want to be part of the family, Meyer’s parrots prefer to watch from afar. These birds are not as demanding as other types of parrots. However, they will still require your attention.
These small, green, and brown parrots are from the same family of the Senegal parrot. Although they are popular pets, they are not as popular as Senegal who is the show-stealer of this family.
16. Ring-Necked Parakeet
This bird is named for its colorful ring that wraps around its neck. These parrots are medium-sized and have an outgoing personalities. They are very talkative and one of their main strengths. Although they aren’t the best at imitating human language, they can be very vocal and communicate their emotions via sound.
17. Kakariki Parrots
These parrots are small and cheerful with playful personalities. These parrots are very intelligent and can learn words and tricks quickly.
Kakariki parrots measure only 11 inches in length. The tail is only half of the length. Although they aren’t very loud for parrots they can make many different sounds to show how they feel.
18. Timneh Greys
Most bird enthusiasts are familiar with the African Grey parrot. What many people don’t know is that there are two types of African Grey parrots. While the Congo African Grey is the most well-known, the Timneh Grey is equally desirable, although for different reasons.
The Timneh Grey parrot, while still intelligent and capable of learning human speech just as well as its cousins, is much more gentle than its more popular cousins. Sometimes they mimic the Congo African Grey’s words, but not as well as their cousin parrots.
19. Quaker Parakeet
The Quaker Parakeet is a smaller, more conversational parrot. These birds, also known as the Monk Parakeet are approximately 11 inches in length and are well-known because of their word-copying ability.
Talking about your Quaker Parakeet care should be a priority. This bird will become more vocal with repetition and time.
20. Lovebirds
Because of the close relationships they have with one partner, lovebirds are named so because they are called lovebirds. Legend has it that lovebirds must be kept together to be happy or they will die if they are separated from their partner. However, this is not true.
These parrots are small enough to make wonderful pets. They range in size from 5 inches to 6 and 1/2 inches. Lovebirds are distinguished by their short tail feathers which make them easier to distinguish from other parrots.
Conclusion
There are many parrots to choose from if you are looking for a playful companion with a bright personality. Although the Macaw and African Grey are the most common parrot images, there are many other cute varieties.
Whatever type of parrot you choose, make sure you are well-prepared before you bring it home. Make sure you do your research about the parrot that you are choosing so you’re prepared to meet all their needs. Some birds require a lot more interaction than others, but they all need lots of love.
What is the kindest pet bird?
Parakeets (also known as Budgies or Budgerigars) are the most popular type of pet bird in the world. When properly taught and tended to they become extraordinarily devoted and sociable companion birds.
What is the most intelligent pet bird?
The African grey parrot is the bird world’s genius.
Which of these birds is both intelligent and lazy?
The Cuckoo is described as a lazy bird because it does not make its own nest but lays its eggs in the nest of the crow, where the eggs look like their own.
Which pet bird is ideal for beginners?
Parakeets, or budgies as they’re often known, are number one on our list because they’re the most popular bird pet in the United States and the easiest to care for!
Which bird is the most vocal?
The very clever African grey is frequently recognized as the finest talking bird, with some individuals collecting vocabularies of hundreds of phrases. There’s also evidence that these parrots can conduct rudimentary conversations using words in context, though that doesn’t always indicate they comprehend what they’re saying.
When do parrots start talking?
The solution is not straightforward, and each parrot will begin to speak at their own rate. Some parrots begin as young as three months old, while others may begin as late as 12 months. The sooner you start talking to your pet, the better.
What pet birds do not communicate?
Several bird species, like the Cockatiel, Parakeet, and Budgie, are notable for their silence. Canaries, Senegal parrots, and Pacific parrotlets are also included.
What is the simplest parrot to care for?
Poicephalus, Pionus, Amazon Parrots, and Parrotlets are the ideal parrots for new owners. These birds have easygoing dispositions and hence provide for a more approachable experience for beginning bird parents; we shall discuss them in further detail later in this piece.