Many of us love having chickens as pets, but there are other birds out there that are fun pets too. Parrots are one popular variety. And did you know there are many types of parrots? Some might surprise you! Today we will talk about 10 types of parrots people keep as pets.
If you want to learn more about parrots without having to sift through too much research – this article will get you started. Here’s a list of the top 10 types of most popular pet parrots, along with specific breed facts, colors, personalities, and special care tips for each.
Table of Contents (Quickly Jump To Information)
10 Types of Parrots People Keep As Pets
There are roughly 350 species of parrots! Wowzer, that’s a lot! Several of the different types of parrots fall into the most popular pet bird category. Parrots are very social birds and form a strong bond with their owner if given the chance.
Parrots can be found all over the world, but most notably in tropical regions such as Australia, South and Southeast Asia, Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Mexico, South America, and West Africa. They live in flocks unless, of course, they are held in captivity.
1. African Grey Parrot
- Colors: Mostly gray with white patches on the face and bright red tail feathers.
- Personality: Highly intelligent, excellent mimickers, and known for their ability to learn and understand human speech. With their inquisitive eyes and quick-witted nature, they demonstrate an incredible capacity for problem-solving and learning.
- Special Care: Provide mental stimulation through interactive toys and regular social interaction with their owners. A balanced diet of pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts is crucial.
- Also called the African Gray Parrot (Gray spelled differently) and the Congo African Grey.
2. Budgerigar
- Colors: A variety of colors, including blue, green, yellow, and white, with different patterns.
- Personality: Playful, social, and easy to train. They enjoy interacting with their owners and can be taught to perform tricks. They can even learn to say some words! This cutie is easy to find in most pet stores and inexpensive.
- Special Care: Regular exercise outside the cage, fresh fruits and vegetables, and chew toys to maintain their beak health.
- Also known as a Budgie or a Parakeet. Read more about this easy to care for pet bird: Parakeets – Ultimate Guide For The Smallest Parrots.
3. Cockatiel
- Colors: Mainly gray with a vibrant crest on their head. Males have bright orange cheek patches, while females have paler ones.
- Personality: Friendly, affectionate, and known for their ability to whistle and mimic simple tunes. They enjoy human companionship. They love to entertain and play and will keep you laughing for sure.
- Special Care: Provide regular social interaction, a varied diet including seeds, pellets, and fresh vegetables, and opportunities for exercise.
4. Eclectus Parrot
- Colors: Males bright green plumage with red and blue accents, while females have red and blue feathers with a purple-blue chest.
- Personality: Intelligent, social, and known for their calm and gentle nature. They are good talkers and can learn a large vocabulary.
- Special Care: A diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, pellets, and limited seed intake. Provide plenty of chewing toys to satisfy their strong beak.
5. Sun Conure
- Colors: Vibrant combination of yellow, orange, green, and red feathers.
- Personality: Energetic, playful, and affectionate. They enjoy being the center of attention and can learn tricks and simple phrases. They love to problem-solve and investigate, so be prepared to follow them around as they get into things.
- Special Care: Provide plenty of toys and social interaction. A diet consisting of pellets, fruits, vegetables, and limited seed treats is essential.
6. Amazon Parrot
- Colors: Various colors depending on the species, including green, blue, yellow, and red.
- Personality: Highly intelligent, outgoing, and known for their ability to mimic human speech. They require regular mental stimulation and social interaction. They are high-maintenance birds but are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds out there.
- Special Care: A balanced diet of pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional nuts. Provide sturdy toys to keep them mentally engaged.
7. Quaker Parrot
- Colors: Mainly green with a grayish face and a blue chest in some varieties.
- Personality: Sociable, playful, and curious. They are capable of learning tricks and can be talkative.
- Special Care: Regular interaction and playtime with their owners, a balanced diet of pellets, vegetables, and occasional seeds. Provide chew toys to keep their beaks busy.
- Also called a Monk Parakeet.
8.Senegal Parrot
- Colors: Mainly green with a gray head, yellow belly, and a bright orange beak.
- Personality: Intelligent, independent, and known for their charming and playful nature. They can learn to mimic speech and enjoy interactive toys.
- Special Care: Regular social interaction and mental stimulation, a varied diet of pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional nuts.
9. Cockatoo
- Colors: White or light pink feathers with a distinctive crest on their head.
- Personality: Highly social, affectionate, and intelligent. They are known for their ability to learn complex tricks and mimic human speech. You’ll never have to go to the movies again because they are quite entertaining.
- Special Care: Regular exercise outside the cage, a diet consisting of pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and plenty of toys to keep them mentally engaged.
10. Lovebird
- Colors: A variety of colors, including green, blue, yellow, and peach-faced lovebirds with various combinations and patterns.
- Personality: Energetic, social, and known for their strong pair bonding. They enjoy interacting with their owners and can be trained to perform tricks. They are not talkers.
- Special Care: Regular social interaction, a balanced diet of pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional seeds. Provide plenty of toys to keep them entertained.
Although we just breifly talked about 10 types of parrots that people keep as pets there are many more parrot species that are regularly kept as pets. Lorikeets, Macaws, Meyer’s parrot and more! So if this list got you excited, but you aren’t quite sure – don’t stop here!
All popular parrots are similar in that they are a committment, they need fresh food, and lots of attention.
Bonus Care Tip
Did you know that parrots can eat mealworms? They can and they are a super nutritious treat that they will love you all the more for! Try these quality mealworms out!
Is a Parrot Right For Me?
I don’t want to end with a big red flag warning, but I also don’t want to lead you down a path you aren’t ready for. I personally allowed my daughter to buy a pet parrot recently, only to discover it was not a good fit. Within two weeks we were able to find the bird a forever home and it worked out okay because we acted quickly. But once a bird has bonded with you, it’s very stressful for them to be rehomed.
Considering a parrot as a pet requires careful consideration of their unique needs and your individual lifestyle. Parrots are not independent pets. They are social creatures that demand a considerable amount of attention and interaction. They thrive on human companionship and can easily become stressed or develop behavioral issues if neglected or left alone for extended periods.
Owning a parrot means committing to daily interaction, mental stimulation, and creating a stimulating and suitable habitat. It’s important to note that parrots can have remarkably long lifespans, some living for 50 years or more, requiring a lifelong commitment.
They can also bite. And the bigger the bird, the bigger the bite. This is something we have definitely learned along the way. It may seem like a strange thing to mention, but from my experience it’s certainly important to understand and be prepared for this.
Therefore, before bringing a parrot into your home, assess your ability to provide the necessary time, attention, and care that these feathered companions deserve. If your lifestyle and availability cannot accommodate their needs, it may be wise to explore alternative pet options that better align with your capabilities and preferences.
A Word About Chickens & Ducks
Chickens are not parrots, but I am a dedicated chicken and duck mama too (along with a whole host of other critters…like a Lovebird). If a parrot doesn’t sound like something you can commit to, you might think about chickens or ducks. They are easier to care for and don’t have as long of lifespans (less committment).
Here are a few articles about chickens and ducks to give you a taste of other bird species 😉.
- How Long Do Chickens Live — The Million Dollar Question
- Top 10 Largest Chicken Breeds That Are Also Great Pets
- Silkie Chickens: Pet Facts & Fiction
- Pet Ducks – Good or Bad Idea?
- How Long Do Ducks Live? Top Pet Breeds
A happy wife, mother, teacher, writer, hobby farmer, lover of chickens, and contributor to Pampered Chicken Mama!
