Popular Pet Birds

African gray parrots

Africa

Gray feathers and red tail.

30–50 years

Medium-size to large. The most intelligent of the parrots, so they often have behavior problems. Require a lot of time and attention. Do not scream, but do growl. Excellent mimics that potentially know the most words, but do not like to talk in front of strangers.

Amazon parrots

Mexico, Central and South America

Most are green with various bright colors on the head.

40–50 years

Medium-size to large. Most are great talkers and singers, and they're loud. Can be moody and often bond closely to one person.

Brotogeris parakeets

South America, plus wild colonies in Puerto Rico and Los Angeles

Bee Bee, gray-cheeked, orange-winged, and other color varieties.

15–20 years

Small and lively. Sometimes called “dwarf” parrots. Only some talk.

Budgerigars (budgies)

Australia

Usually green in the wild. Many colors available.

5–10 years

Suitable for apartment living because they're not usually loud. Can learn to talk.

Caiques

South America

Black-headed and white-bellied (yellow-thighed).

20–30 years

Active birds that actually hop. Personalities vary. Some talk a little. Most males whistle well.

Canaries

Canary Islands, Madeira

Three main groups: colorbred (bred for their colors, including yellow), type (bred for their shape and feathering), and song (bred for their song patterns).

Up to 15 years

Males often have a lovely song, which is how they are distinguished from females. Territorial, so they prefer to be housed alone or in mated pairs. Suitable for most apartments.

Cockatiels

Australia, South Pacific islands

Most are varied combinations of pale yellow, gray, and white.

Up to 20 years

Rarer color mutations might be more fragile. Often have lively personalities. Vocal, but relatively quiet, compared with macaws or cockatoos.

Cockatoos

Australia, South Pacific islands

Most are mainly white. The rose-breasted is gray and pink. Several rare species are available.

25–50 years

Some talk, and their speaking voices are quiet. Enjoy and might demand a lot of handling, cuddling, and attention, which can add to hormonal behavior problems. Very loud when they scream. Not for inexperienced owners. Very likely to chew wood, plastic, and other materials.

Small conures (Pyrrhura species)

Mexico, Central and South America

Peach-fronted, maroon-bellied, and green-cheeked.

Up to 25 years

Small. Often described as charming. Relatively quiet. Most are smaller than cockatiels.

Larger conures (Aratinga species)

South America

Sun, jenday, nanday, and gold-capped.

Up to 30 years

Active, beautifully colored, small to medium-size. Personalities vary. Voice is piercing when they scream. Not known for their talking ability.

Doves

United States, Mexico, Europe

Relatives of the common pigeon. Many species available.

Up to 20 years

Considered beautiful and elegant. Less demonstrative than parrots, and quiet except for their cooing.

Eclectus parrots

Indonesia, Pacific islands

Males are emerald green with patches of reds and yellows. Females are shades of deep red, often with a blue bib.

20–50 years

Talking ability varies. Not as prone to screaming as cockatoos and macaws.

Finches (Fringillidae family)

Mainly Africa

Many colors available.

5–10 years

Usually kept in groups. Do not generally interact with humans. Not loud, but peep frequently.

Grass parakeets

Australia

Bourke's, turquoisine, and scarlet-chested. Many species and colors available.

8–13 years

Small, quiet, and usually not aggressive. Tend to be nervous. Generally do not talk.

Lories and lorikeets

Australia, Pacific islands

Many species, including Moluccan (red), multicolor, red-and-blue, and others.

15 years

Intelligent, curious, and fairly nervous. Striking coloration. Require special liquid diet, which is messy.

Lovebirds

Africa

Four or five species commonly available. Peach-faced, black-masked, blue-masked, and Fischer’s are popular.

Up to 20 years

Sweet voices, not usually loud. Can be moody during breeding season.

Macaws

Central and South America

Blue-and-gold (blue-and-yellow), scarlet, green-winged, military, and hyacinth are available.

30–60 years

Largest of the parrots. Can talk, but usually know fewer words than Amazon or African gray parrots. Screaming voice is very loud, with potential to irritate neighbors. Require a lot of exercise and a lot of time and attention.

Mynas (mynahs)

Southeast Asia, Indonesia

Feathers are usually dark, but some species have yellow head feathers. The Bali myna is light in color.

12 or more years

Excellent talkers. Not typically very affectionate. Very messy droppings.

Parrotlets

Mexico, Central and South America

Green-and-blue. Common species include Mexican and Pacific (celestial).

Up to 20 years

Small. Also known as “pocket parrots.” Relatively easy to tame when young. Quiet, compared with other parrots.

Pigeons

Europe, North Africa, western Asia

Relatives of the common pigeon that live in cities.

Up to 20 years

Relatively quiet. Often kept in colonies. Some are raised and trained for racing.

Pionus parrots

South America

Blue-headed, Maximilian, white-capped, dusky, and bronze-winged.

25–30 years

Medium-size. Quieter than Amazon parrots, which are close relatives. Known for their gentle disposition.

Poicephalus parrots

Africa

Most common is Senegal. Others include Meyer’s, Jardine’s, and red‑bellied.

2–25 years

Small to medium-size. Engaging birds with distinctive colors. Quiet, compared with other parrots. Very playful when young.

Psittacula parakeets

India, Southeast Asia, Africa

Indian ring-necked (rose ringed-necked), moustached, plum-headed, Derbyan, and Alexandrine.

Up to 20 years

Medium-size. Very colorful. Can be very affectionate if given enough attention and care. Many are good, quiet talkers. Their screaming voice is piercing, but they tend not to scream as much as many other parrots do.

Quaker (monk) parakeets

South America, plus many other locations, including Florida, New York, and several other US states

Usually green with gray face and chest. Blue, dark green, and other color mutations are available.

20–30 years

Illegal to own in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Considered pests by farmers in many countries. Hand-reared birds can be very affectionate and fairly good talkers. Sometimes loud. Known for chewing.

Rosellas (Platycercus parrots)

Australia

Brilliantly colored. Crimson, eastern, and western are the most common.

10–15 years

Tend to be nervous. Must be handled constantly to remain tame.

Toucans and toucanets

Central and South America

Toucanets are smaller versions of toucans.

10–25 years

Must be acquired young to make good pets. Require soft food and can be extremely messy. Toucanets tend to be more nervous than toucans.