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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!

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!

Goffin's Cockatoo

Goffin’s Cockatoo

Goffin’s can also be a bit mischievous and can be quick learners. Don’t be surprised to find that your Goffin’s cockatoo quickly learns to open the cage after seeing you unlatch the lock.

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.

Caique, white-bellied caique

Caique

Caiques have been called clowns of the bird world for good reason — the clown is a truly appropriate metaphor for this high-energy, medium-sized mischief maker. You haven’t seen playful until you’ve seen a caique in action.

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.

Goffin's Cockatoo

Cockatoo

Pet cockatoos are often referred to as “velcro” birds because of their highly sociable nature and borderline obsessive need to be around the people in their lives. A cockatoo is a loving but demanding bird.

Umbrella cockatoo

Umbrella Cockatoo

The umbrella cockatoo certainly makes a charming, affectionate pet, but it’s not for everyone. An umbrella cockatoo demands attention and needs an owner who can set boundaries.

Moluccan cockatoo

Moluccan Cockatoo

Moluccans would like nothing more than to be sewn to your body 24 hours a day. They crave attention and love, and can become obsessive because of this trait.

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.

green-cheeked conure

Green-Cheeked Conure

Green-cheeked conures can be outgoing and comical, but they can also be a little shyer than other conures. These birds love their play and will appreciate a good rotation of toys and a spacious cage to run around.

blue-crowned conure

Blue-Crowned Conure

The blue-crowned conure has a large vocabulary and high intelligence to match. This species is known as one of the better talkers in the conure family, though it can be a little difficult to understand.

green-cheeked conure

Conure

Conures, which vary in size from small to medium, often charm people with their playfulness and inquisitive personalities. They generally like to be where the household activity is, which can include mealtime and hanging out with their favored people.

blue-and-gold macaw

Blue-and-Gold Macaw

The blue-and-gold macaw is aptly named, with a gorgeous blue body and dark lemon-yellow chest, this is a bird that’s hard to miss. It also referred to as the blue-and-yellow macaw.

green-winged macaw

Macaw

Macaws’ big size and vibrant colors make them hard to overlook. These social birds can create a racket when they feel so inclined, and their clownish ways are sure to draw attention. Although their large beaks can be intimidating, a well-socialized macaw can be a friendly and affectionate companion.

African Grey parrot

African Grey Parrot

The African grey parrot’s ability to talk and mimic sounds makes this medium-sized parrot a captivating companion. African grey owners often report that their greys oftentimes talk in context and seem very attuned to their people’s emotions. The African grey parrot is not just a top talker — this bird is also known for its extreme intelligence, which gives them the moniker “The Einsteins of the Bird World.”

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