Birds are popular pets for many reasons. They are beautiful, intelligent creatures that can provide companionship. Choosing the right bird for your home is an important decision. The most common pet bird species have unique personalities, care requirements, and characteristics you need to consider. This article explores popular pet bird types to help you decide if a bird is the right fit.
What are the most popular pet birds?
Here are the most common pet bird species:
- Budgerigars (parakeets)
- Cockatiels
- Lovebirds
- Parrotlets
- Conures
- Cockatoos
- Amazon parrots
- Macaws
- Finches
- Canaries
The top choices like parakeets, cockatiels, and finches are generally smaller birds. Larger parrot-type birds like Amazons, conures, and macaws require more specialized care but are popular for pet owners able to provide for their extensive needs.
Budgerigars (Parakeets)
Budgerigars, often called parakeets or “budgies,” are by far the most popular pet bird. Their small size, inexpensive price, and variety of color mutations make them attractive to new bird owners. Budgies are active, social, and relatively quiet compared to other parrot species. Most color varieties live 10-15 years.
Budgerigars come in many color mutations, including green, yellow, blue, white, violet, and albino. They breed readily, so there are always plenty of interesting color combinations available.
Parakeet Care
Budgerigars should be kept in the largest cage possible, at minimum 18″W x 18″D x 18″H. Provide plenty of perches, toys, and treats. Feed a specialized small parrot diet with seed mixes, pellets, vegetables, fruit, and healthy table foods. These busy birds need lots of safe toys to chew and play with. Parakeets need 10-12 hours of quiet, fully dark sleep per night.
Like all flock parrots, budgies are extremely social. They must have frequent interaction and time out of their cage daily. Owners should spend at least one hour a day playing, training, or interacting with their parakeet. Budgerigars can learn basic tricks and even how to talk a little.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are slightly larger small parrots native to Australia. These crested parrots are popular for their calm, friendly personalities and easy care. They are usually quiet with soft whistles and calls, making them good apartment pets. Cockatiels have long lifespans of 15-25 years.
Wild cockatiels are grey with yellow-orange cheek patches. Pet cockatiels can be found in many color mutations: white, cinnamon, pearl, albino, yellow, and more. Pied and whiteface mutations may show orange cheek patches instead of yellow.
Cockatiel Care
Cockatiels should be housed in large cages, minimum size 24″W x 16″D x 20″H. They need a high quality small parrot diet with pellets, vegetables, and healthy table foods. Provide cockatiels with lots of safe wood toys to chew and shred. Owners should interact with cockatiels at least one hour every day.
Cockatiels are prone to night frights and should have a small night light in or near their covered cage. Unlike parakeets, most cockatiels will tolerate and get along with other cockatiel cagemates.
Lovebirds
Lovebirds are small, stocky parrots from Africa. They form strong pair bonds with mates and owners, earning their romantic name. Lovebirds live 10-15 years. There are many lovebird species and color mutations:
- Fischer’s lovebird
- Masked lovebird
- Peachfaced lovebird
- Black masked lovebird
- Madagascar lovebird
- Black collared lovebird
Lovebirds have big personalities packed into a small body. They can be noisy, nippy, and strongly bonded to their favorite person. Lovebirds thrive on interaction and lots of playtime. Single lovebirds absolutely require an owner who can spend lots of time socializing with them.
Lovebird Care
Lovebirds should be kept in large cages, minimum 18″W x 14″D x 20″H. They need a high quality small parrot diet with lots of fresh foods. Owners must provide extensive time out of cage and interaction daily. Lovebirds often do not get along with other lovebird cagemates.
Parrotlets
Parrotlets are tiny parrots that originate from South America. They average just 5-6 inches long but have big personalities. These little birds can be feisty but make good pets for experienced owners providing proper handling and training. Parrotlets typically live 15-20 years.
Parrotlets come in many color mutations: green, blue, yellow, white, pineapple, turquoise, and more. Their small size makes them ideal for apartment living.
Parrotlet Care
Parrotlets should be housed in the largest possible cage, minimum 18″W x 18″D x 18″H. They need lots of toys for chewing, shredding, and playing. A high quality small parrot diet is essential. Parrotlets thrive on interaction and handling when tamed and trained.
Owners will need to spend at least one hour a day interacting with these active little parrots. Parrotlets can learn tricks and may be able to talk a little. They can be aggressive to other birds sharing their cage.
Conures
Conures are small to medium sized parrots found in South America. Some of the most popular conure species kept as pets include:
- Green-cheeked conure
- Sun conure
- Jenday conure
- Nanday conure
- Dusky-headed conure
In general, conures are energetic, lively, and very loud. They form close bonds with their owners and flock. Conures can be nippy when young but often become loving and cuddly when mature. Lifespans average 25-30 years.
Conure Care
Conures need large cages, minimum 24″W x 24″D x 36″H. They should be fed a high quality parrot diet. Conures chew constantly and require lots of safe wood toys. At least two hours of daily interaction and play is recommended.
Conures thrive in pairs or small flocks when possible. Singles will bond intensely to their owner. These parrots are not well-suited to busy households since they demand a lot of attention and interaction.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos are extremely popular parrots known for their affectionate, cuddly personalities. Some examples of cockatoo species kept as pets are:
- Umbrella cockatoo
- Goffin’s cockatoo
- Moluccan cockatoo
- Citron-crested cockatoo
- Galah
- Bare-eyed cockatoo
Cockatoos have very long lifespans, averaging 40-60 years. They bond closely to owners and require constant attention and interaction. Cockatoos can scream loudly when bored or lonely.
Cockatoo Care
Cockatoos need very large cages, minimum 30″W x 32″D x 55″H for smaller species. Provide lots of toys, perches, and foraging activities. Cockatoos should eat fortified pellets, vegetables, fruit, seeds, nuts, and healthy table foods.
Owners must be prepared to spend several hours a day interacting with cockatoos. They demand constant stimulation and affection. Cockatoos pluck their feathers when stressed or bored, so preventing these habits is essential.
Amazon Parrots
Amazons are medium to large parrots with short, triangular tails. Some examples of popular Amazon pet species are:
- Yellow-naped Amazon
- Blue-fronted Amazon
- Lilac-crowned Amazon
- Orange-winged Amazon
- Yellow-crowned Amazon
Amazons are intelligent, outgoing parrots. They bond closely with owners and like lots of playtime. Amazons can become aggressive and territorial when they reach sexual maturity around 3-4 years old. Lifespans average 40-60 years.
Amazon Parrot Care
Amazons need very large cages, minimum 30″W x 30″D x 55″H. They should be fed a nutritious parrot diet with lots of fresh foods. Provide plenty of toys for playing, chewing, and shredding. Owners will need to spend several hours each day interacting with an Amazon parrot.
Amazons are noisy and require dedicated owners prepared for their demanding care needs. Rehoming aggressive adult Amazons can be very difficult.
Macaws
Macaws are the largest parrot species commonly kept as pets. Some types of macaws include:
- Scarlet macaw
- Blue and gold macaw
- Green wing macaw
- Hyacinth macaw
- Military macaw
- Blue throated macaw
Macaws are extremely smart and affectionate. They can become very loud or nippy when bored or untamed. Macaws may bond very strongly to one person. Lifespans average 50-75 years for the large species.
Macaw Care
Macaws need massive cages, minimum 36″W x 36″D x 60″H for smaller species. The hyacinth macaw may need an enclosure 4 feet wide. Macaws should eat pelleted diets with nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, and healthy table foods.
Owners must commit to spending hours each day interacting with and enriching the lives of macaw companions. Macaws kept alone will demand constant attention. Large macaws can be challenging pets best suited to very experienced parrot owners.
Finches
Finches are extremely popular pet birds because they are inexpensive, colorful, and relatively easy to care for. Some common types of finches are:
- Zebra finch
- Society finch
- Gouldian finch
- Owl finch
- Lady gouldian finch
Finches are very active and should be kept in flocks. They do not mimic speech or learn tricks. Most finches live 5-10 years.
Finch Care
Finches need large flight cages, minimum 30″W x 18″D x 18″H, to stay healthy and active. Provide multiple perches, toys, nest boxes, and safe foliage. Feed finches fortified finch seed mixes. Supplement their diet with egg food, greens, fruits, and veggies.
Finches are highly social flock birds. They should never be kept alone or in pairs. Ideally house 6-8+ finches together in a large habitat.
Canaries
Canaries are a popular songbird pet known for their beautiful singing voices. Some types of pet canaries include:
- American singer
- German roller
- Border fancy
- Gloster fancy
Male canaries are the singers. Their voices are bred for specific tonal qualities preferred by owners. Canaries have sweet, gentle personalities and live 10-15 years.
Canary Care
Canaries should be kept in large cages, minimum 20″W x 12″D x 15″H. Perches of various sizes, nest box, cuttlebone, and toys should be included. Feed canaries fortified finch seed mixes and quality canary pellets. Provide greens daily.
Canaries can be kept alone or in small groups. A single male canary and his song will brighten up any room.
What are the best bird pets for kids?
Kid-friendly birds need to be hardy, inexpensive, and have calm personalities. The best pet birds for kids include:
- Budgies
- Cockatiels
- Canaries
- Finches
Parents will still need to teach proper handling and care of birds. Adult supervision is always required when kids interact with pet birds.
What are the easiest pet birds?
The most beginner-friendly pet birds are:
- Budgies
- Cockatiels
- Canaries
- Finches
These smaller bird species have less intensive care requirements. Their personalities are generally calmer than larger parrot species. Still, all birds require an investment of time, proper diet, housing, and veterinary care.
Conclusion
There are many great pet bird species to choose from. Think about your lifestyle, experience level, and budget when selecting a feathered friend. Proper bird care does require an investment of time, money, and research. But a well-cared for bird can provide years of enjoyment, companionship, and beauty in your home.