Parrot
You might think you know what a parrot is, but do you? Learn about parrot characteristics, behavior, care needs, and more. These feathered companions have more to offer than you might guess!
Vasa Parrot
Among companion parrots, vasa parrots are the most peculiar in looks, with their truncated bodies and long necks. Vasas are active birds that need spacious accommodations as well as playtime with their people and toys to keep their inquisitive minds engaged.
Psittacula
Psittacula are primarily green, with long tail feathers, and a ring of dark colored feathering around the neck. Psittacula are referred to as parakeets, but they are much larger than what many people think of with the word “parakeet.”
Alexandrine Parakeet
Loyal, playful and talkative are words used to describe the Alexandrine parakeet, which can also learn tricks and is inclined to show off its acrobat skills.
Eclectus
Eclectus parrots look like they are straight out of a Dr. Seuss book! Their feathers have a fur-like appearance and their colors are bright red for females, and bright green with a ‘candy corn’ colored beak for males. Aside from their mesmerizing appearance, these parrots can also be great companions.
Hahn’s Macaw
A Hahn’s macaw’s personality is much like that of its larger macaw cousins — bold, fun, active — but in a more manageable size, which makes this parrot a popular companion.
White-Capped Pionus
Don’t overlook the white-capped Pionus parrot as an companion. While it might not demand your attention as other parrots do, a well-socialized white-capped Pionus can certainly be an outgoing and social family pet.
Blue-Headed Pionus
Blue-headed Pionus can be laid-back, relatively quiet parrots, which makes them ideal for those who live in apartments.
Pionus Parrot
The Pionus parrot is the best kept secret of the bird world. It’s got all of the good qualities of the popular companion species, with few of the negative aspects that often occur with parrots.
Senegal Parrot
With its yellow irises and blocky head, the Senegal parrot can have an intense look. But don’t let its gaze fool you into thinking this bird is always uptight. Senegal parrots can be outgoing and playful and are the most popular of the Poicephalus species.
Poicephalus
Poicephalus might not want to cuddle, but they can be playful and outgoing, and many certainly love to be petted.
Meyer’s Parrot
The Meyer’s parrot might prefer to watch things from afar instead of being the center of attention. This bird is happy sitting quietly on a perch, destroying a toy. Meyer’s can be social, too, and tend to bond with everyone in the family.
Quaker Parakeet
It’s a pity that quaker parakeets are outlawed in some cities and states because this social parrot’s talking ability and intelligence rivals the much more expensive African grey and Amazon parrot.
Pacific Parrotlet
Pacific parrotlets are very spirited, and can become aggressive if left for too long without handling. Even though it is tiny, do not underestimate the strong beak – its bite is much stronger than a budgie. These pint-sized parrots don’t seem to realize that they are small because they have a large bird personality — outgoing, curious and, at times, downright feisty.
Parrotlet
The parrotlet parrot might be small in size but it is big in personality. These pint-size parrots are bold and assertive, and they can learn to talk, too.
Red Lory
The red lory’s playful personality and beautiful appearance make this high-energy parrot a favorite among bird fanciers and the more advanced pet bird owners alike.
Lory
The lory personality is intense, in general. This is not a shy species. The rainbow lory is bubbly and enthusiastic, the “coach” of the bird world, encouraging play whenever its favorite human is around.
Rainbow Lory
The rainbow lory is one of the most stunning and beautiful companion birds available today. Lories, in general, need more care and attention than your more common companion birds due to their highly specific dietary and housing requirements. However, they are well worth the extra time and expense.
Indian Ring-Necked Parakeet
The Indian ring-necked parakeet is not a shy bird, and does best with an owner who appreciates an outgoing companion that is not afraid to demand what it wants! Indian ring-necks can also be quite talkative.
Cockatiel
There’s a reason why the cockatiel is one of the most popular companion birds — this slender Australian parrot can be both cuddly and bold. Cockatiels can also be curious and, at times, feisty. With a cockatiel in the house, you are likely to hear a repertoire of chirps and whistles.
Budgie (Parakeet)
The budgie (parakeet) is often thought of as a “beginner bird,” however, this social, outgoing little bird deserves just as much care and attention as larger parrots. Budgies are playful, love food and they can rival any parrot in terms of talking ability.
Fischer’s Lovebird
The Fischer’s lovebird has plenty of energy and can be a loyal friend if interacted with regularly. While energetic, Fischer’s tend to be gentler than other lovebird species, especially when in an aviary environment.
Peach-Faced Lovebird
The popular peach-faced lovebird exudes a big personality in a small body. Peach faces love their playtime and positive interaction with their people. A peach-faced lovebird has a “busy beak” and might be inclined to tear up strips of paper and weave them in the cage bars.
Lovebird
A lovebird might be one of the smaller parrot species available as a companion pet, but this bird is inquisitive and seemingly always on the go. As their name suggests, lovebirds are known for the loving, attentive bond they tend to form with their mates.
Orange-Winged Amazon Parrot
Orange wings can be spunky and outgoing, but they tend to be mellower and less talkative compared to other Amazons. Like most Amazon parrots, they are social eaters and will appreciate the opportunity to share in healthy meals with their favored people.
Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot
Their outgoing personalities make yellow-naped Amazons one of the more popular Amazon species. Yellow napes can be talkative and gravitate toward toys that challenge them both physically and mentally. They also enjoy plenty of interaction with their people.
Lilac-Crowned Amazon
The lilac-crowned Amazon is one of the smaller Amazon species and tends to have a smaller voice compared to the larger, more boisterous yellow-crowned and double yellow-headed Amazons. Lilac crowns can be loyal companions and, like most Amazons, have hearty appetites.
Double Yellow-Headed Amazon Parrot
There’s nothing shy about a double yellow-headed Amazon parrot. These birds are talkative, boisterous and inclined to burst out in song. Males are known for doing what is best described as a mach strut — tail feathers flared out, sliding across the floor while making shrilling sounds.
Amazon Parrot
Amazon parrots are among the more popular medium-sized parrot species, which might have something to do with their gregarious personalities. They are often described as boisterous, playful, and outgoing — some even like to sing. Male Amazons have a reputation for exhibiting “macho” behavior — they might flare their tail feathers, pin their eyes and “strut” across the floor or table top.
Scarlet Macaw
The scarlet is a “sassy” bird, filled with energy and personality. It’s highly intelligent, as well as a capable escape artist.
Hyacinth Macaw
The hyacinth macaw stunning cobalt-blue coloring and massive size will cause anyone to pause and take notice. Bright yellow around the eyes and at the base and the corners of the beak makes the largest of the macaw species appear to be in a perpetual smile. This is a parrot for someone who afford a hefty price tag and who has space to spare.
Green-Winged Macaw
The green-winged macaw is among the largest macaw species. Its large beak can be intimidating, but this macaw has a reputation as a gentle giant.
Sun Conure
The sun conure is bold in both appearance and in personality. Suns are known for their vocalizing, which can be loud a times, as well as their playfulness and adventurous nature.
Jenday Conure
Jenday conures have a reputation for being a little more laid back than other conures, but that’s not to say that they don’t enjoy and expect plenty of interaction with their people. Like most conures, they appreciate bird toys that can be chewed up.
