Interaction: Social

Canary-winged parakeet; white-winged parakeet; Brotogeris versicolurus

Canary-Winged Parakeet

Get to know the charming canary-winged parakeet! From their vibrant green plumage and striking white wing patches to their intelligence and playful personalities, find out why these small gregarious parakeets can make wonderful pet companions if shown the love and care they deserve.

Derbyan parakeet; derbyan parrot

Derbyan Parakeet

The vibrant Derbyan parakeet, garbed in jewel tones with inky mustache feathering, inhabits Asia’s highland forests. These medium-sized birds boast high intelligence and emotional sensitivities to match. As companions, these curious energetic birds needs plenty of healthy stimulation!

lineolated parakeet, linnie, barred parakeet

Lineolated Parakeet

With their gentle nature and comparably quieter vocalizations, lineolated parakeets have earned a reputation as one of the more easygoing small parrots. At rest, they strike a distinctive horizontal stance, heads aligned with tails – a mellow match to their calm temperament. Under those horizontal bodies and stripes lies an intelligent, engaging small parrot.

Bourke's parrot; Bourke's parakeet

Bourke’s Parrot

Bourke’s parrots have a reputation for being one of the mellower of the parrot bunch in terms of vocalizations and attitude. They tend to be most quiet during the day and active at sunset and dawn. They are often referred to as the “pink parakeet” because of their small size and popular pink color mutation.

portrait of cockatiel, African grey parrot and conure

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

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.

Indian ring-necked parakeet

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

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 Parrot

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

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

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

Blue-headed Pionus can be laid-back, relatively quiet parrots, which makes them ideal for those who live in apartments.

Blue-Headed Pionus

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.

Poicephalus

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

Poicephalus might not want to cuddle, but they can be playful and outgoing, and many certainly love to be petted.

Meyer's Parrot

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

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 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.

Pacific Parrotlet

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

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.

Rainbow Lory

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

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

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

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.

parakeet budgie

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 in profile

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

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.

Fischer's lovebird

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-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

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 parrot

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

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.

yellow-naped Amazon parrot

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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