Types of Pet Birds and Their Characteristics

Class Aves

Consist of more than 8,500 species of birds and 29 orders of birds.

Psittaciformes

Order of birds that includes parrots.

Passeriformes

Order of birds that includes canaries and finches.

Parrots

Come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, bond well with human companions, and are highly intelligent.

Parrot Feet

Have 4 toes, 2 pointing forward and 2 pointing backwards.

Budgerigar

Small Australian parakeet known for its playful and affectionate nature.

Scientific Name of Budgerigar

Melopsittacus undulatus.

Size of Budgerigar

Small, up to 9 inches.

Native Region of Budgerigar

Australia.

Life Expectancy of Budgerigar

15 years.

Noise Level of Budgerigar

Low; frequent chattering.

Talk/Trick Ability of Budgerigar

Low.

Health Concerns of Budgerigar

Susceptible to avian diseases like PBFD, fatty liver disease, psittacosis, polyomavirus, and chronic malnutrition.

Cere of Budgerigar

Males have a deep blue cere while females have a tan to brown colored cere.

Cockatiel

Affectionate and playful Australian parrot known for its vocal abilities.

Scientific Name of Cockatiel

Nymphicus hollandicus.

Size of Cockatiel

12 to 13 inches.

Native Region of Cockatiel

Australia.

Life Expectancy of Cockatiel

15 to 30 years.

Noise Level of Cockatiel

Moderate; males sing to attract mates and females chirp for attention.

Talk/Trick Ability of Cockatiel

Moderate, with an average vocabulary of 25 words.

Health Concerns of Cockatiel

Common issues include upper respiratory and fatty liver diseases.

Cockatoos

Large, affectionate, and playful birds that demand attention.

Moluccan Cockatoo

Large cockatoo known for its loudness and need for mental stimulation.

Scientific Name of Moluccan Cockatoo

Cacatua moluccensis.

Size of Moluccan Cockatoo

Large, up to 20 inches.

Native Region of Moluccan Cockatoo

Indonesia.

Life Expectancy of Moluccan Cockatoo

65 years.

Noise Level of Moluccan Cockatoo

Loud.

Talk/Trick Ability of Moluccan Cockatoo

Moderate.

Health Concerns of Moluccan Cockatoo

Prone to PBFD, fatty liver disease, obesity, and bumblefoot.

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

Scientific Name: Cacatua galerita; Size: Medium; Lesser — up to 13 inches; Greater — up to 20 inches; Native Region: Australia, New Guinea; Life Expectancy: 65 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate.

Behavior/Health Concerns of Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

A stressful household or a lack of the appropriate amount of human interaction can cause bad behavior in these somewhat high-strung pet birds. This pet bird does best in a home where it is the only bird. Sulpher-crested cockatoos can become territorial once they have matured and they are often destructive chewers.

Umbrella Cockatoo

Scientific Name: Cacatua alba; Size: Medium, 18 inches; Native Region: Indonesia; Life Expectancy: 65 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate.

Behavior/Health Concerns of Umbrella Cockatoo

Umbrella Cockatoos can be extremely aggressive while breeding. Without enough mental and physical stimulation, they can resort to destructive behaviors such as feather picking. They are susceptible to psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), fatty liver disease, obesity and bumblefoot.

Goffin's Cockatoo

Scientific Name: Cacatua goffini; Size: Medium, 14 inches; Native Region: Indonesia; Life Expectancy: 65 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate.

Behavior/Health Concerns of Goffin's Cockatoo

Without enough mental and physical stimulation, they can resort to destructive behaviors such as feather picking.

Eclectus Parrots

Probably best known for their bright Christmas coloring, Eclectus parrots generally make easy-going pets that softly chortle or talk to their owners rather than sidle up for a cuddle. They prefer a calm, quiet home environment that includes challenging daily activities.

Red-Sided Eclectus

Scientific Name: Eclectus roratus polychloros; Size: Medium, up to 14 inches; Native Region: South Pacific; Life Expectancy: up to 40 years; Noise Level: Low; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate; can learn to talk if socialized early.

Behavior/Health Concerns of Red-Sided Eclectus

Red-sided Eclectus parrots are susceptible to feather picking, respiratory infections and excessive chewing. They require a higher vitamin-A intake than other parrots. Vitamin A-enriched foods include carrots, squash, broccoli, kale and cooked sweet potatoes. Cases of feather picking in this pet bird are often caused by malnutrition and vitamin-A deficiency. Red-sided Eclectus parrots are sexually dimorphic birds, which means their sex can be distinguished by their coloring.

Macaws

Native to Central and South America, macaws are the gentle giants of the parrot species. They're the largest parrot species and some of the most popular pet birds, because of their endearing characteristics.

Blue and Gold Macaw

Scientific Name: Ara ararauna; Size: Large, up to 33 inches; Native Region: South America; Life Expectancy: 60 years average, up to 80 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Very Good.

Behavior/Health Concerns of Blue and Gold Macaw

Blue and Gold macaw require more fat in their diet than other parrots, which you can provide with a pellet-based diet, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and the occasional nut. They are prolific chewers, so offer toys to chew and destroy often. They are susceptible to overgrown beaks, papillomas, proventricular dilatation disease (PDD, also known as 'macaw wasting' disease), psittacosis and vitamin-A sensitivity.

Green-Winged Macaw

Scientific Name: Ara chloroptera; Size: Large, up to 37.5 inches; Native Region: Mexico, Central America, South America; Life Expectancy: 60 years average, up to 80 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Very Good.

Scarlet Macaw

Scientific Name: Ara macao; Size: Large, up to 38 inches; Native Region: Central and South America; Life Expectancy: 60 years average, up to 80 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Very good.

Military Macaw

Scientific Name: Ara militaris; Size: Large, up to 34 inches; Native Region: Mexico, South America; Life Expectancy: 60 years average, up to 80 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate.

Hyacinth Macaw

Scientific Name: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus; Size: Large, up to 40 inches; Native Region: South America; Life Expectancy: 60 years average, up to 80 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Very good.

Congo African Grey

Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus erithacus; Size: Medium 13 inches; Native Region: Africa; Life Expectancy: up to 50 years; Noise Level: Moderate; Talk/Trick Ability: Known as the Einstein's of the bird world, African greys have excellent talking ability and are thought to recognize the meaning of words as well.

Meyer's Parrot

Scientific Name: Poicephalus meyeri; Size: Small, 8 inches; Native Region: Africa; Life Expectancy: up to 50 years; Noise Level: Moderate; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate, but not the best talker.

Amazon Parrots

Amazons are from Central and South America; Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Brazil. They are boisterous, clownish parrots that love to sing and dance.

Blue-Fronted Amazon

Scientific Name: Amazona aestiva; Size: Medium, 14.5 inches; Native Region: South America; Life Expectancy: 50 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Very Good.

Behavior/Health Concerns of African Grey

Biting and aggression are more common with males, and excessive shyness is more common with females. Susceptible to feather picking, calcium, vitamin-A and vitamin-D deficiencies, respiratory infections, psittacosis and psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD).

Behavior/Health Concerns of Meyer's Parrot

Meyer's parrots are mellow and will easily interact with all members of the family. They are not great talkers and are actually considered one of the quietest parrots.

Behavior/Health Concerns of Blue-Fronted Amazon

Obesity is a concern with blue-fronted Amazon. Provide your Amazon with a balanced, low-fat diet, supplemented with plenty of exercise.

Life Expectancy of Green-Winged Macaw

60 years average, up to 80 years.

Life Expectancy of Scarlet Macaw

60 years average, up to 80 years.

Life Expectancy of Military Macaw

60 years average, up to 80 years.

Life Expectancy of Hyacinth Macaw

60 years average, up to 80 years.

Life Expectancy of Congo African Grey

Up to 50 years.

Life Expectancy of Meyer's Parrot

Up to 50 years.

Native Region of Green-Winged Macaw

Mexico, Central America, South America.

Native Region of Scarlet Macaw

Central and South America.

Native Region of Military Macaw

Mexico, South America.

Native Region of Hyacinth Macaw

South America.

Native Region of Congo African Grey

Africa.

Native Region of Meyer's Parrot

Africa.

Size of Green-Winged Macaw

Large, up to 37.5 inches.

Size of Scarlet Macaw

Large, up to 38 inches.

Size of Military Macaw

Large, up to 34 inches.

Size of Hyacinth Macaw

Large, up to 40 inches.

Size of Congo African Grey

Medium 13 inches.

Size of Meyer's Parrot

Small, 8 inches.

Noise Level of Green-Winged Macaw

Loud.

Noise Level of Scarlet Macaw

Loud.

Noise Level of Military Macaw

Loud.

Noise Level of Hyacinth Macaw

Loud.

Noise Level of Congo African Grey

Moderate.

Noise Level of Meyer's Parrot

Moderate.

Talk/Trick Ability of Green-Winged Macaw

Very Good.

Talk/Trick Ability of Scarlet Macaw

Very good.

Talk/Trick Ability of Military Macaw

Moderate.

Talk/Trick Ability of Hyacinth Macaw

Very good.

Talk/Trick Ability of Congo African Grey

Excellent talking ability and are thought to recognize the meaning of words.

Talk/Trick Ability of Meyer's Parrot

Moderate, but not the best talker.

Blue-fronted Amazons

Tend to have Vitamin-A and calcium deficiencies and are susceptible to psittacosis and poxvirus infections.

Double Yellow-Headed Amazon

Scientific Name: Amazona oratrix; Size: Medium, up to 14 inches; Native Region: Mexico, Central America; Life Expectancy: 50 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Very good.

Obesity in Double Yellow-Headed Amazon

An important health concern; requires a balanced, low-fat diet supplemented with fruits and vegetables and foods high in natural beta carotenes.

Yellow-Naped Amazon

Scientific Name: Amazona auropalliata; Size: Medium, up to 14 inches; Native Region: Central America; Life Expectancy: 50 years; Noise Level: Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Very Good.

Obesity in Yellow-Naped Amazon

Requires a balanced, low-fat diet of pellets, fruits, and vegetables along with plenty of exercise.

Conures

Comprise two major genera: Aratingas (louder species) and Pyrrhura (demure, often smaller species); known for their clownish, noisy behavior.

Sun Conure

Scientific Name: Aratinga solstitialis; Size: Small, up to 12 inches; Native Region: South America; Life Expectancy: up to 30 years; Noise Level: Moderate to Loud; Talk/Trick Ability: Fair.

Health Concerns of Sun Conure

Need plenty of entertainment and interaction; susceptible to feather picking and common psittacine diseases.

Blue-Crowned Conure

Scientific Name: Aratinga acuticaudata; Size: Medium, 15 inches; Native Region: South America; Life Expectancy: up to 30 years; Noise Level: Moderate; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate.

Health Concerns of Blue-Crowned Conure

Need interesting entertainment and interaction; should be provided with various types of toys.

Green-Cheeked Conure

Scientific Name: Pyrrhura molinae; Size: Small, up to 10 inches; Native Region: South America; Life Expectancy: up to 30 years; Noise Level: Low to Moderate; Talk/Trick Ability: Moderate.

Black-Headed Cacique

Scientific Name: Pionites melanocephala; Size: Medium, 9 inches; Native Region: South America; Life Expectancy: 30 years; Noise Level: Medium; Talk/Trick Ability: Fair.

Health Concerns of Black-Headed Cacique

Can become destructive and prone to screeching if not entertained; generally hardy but requires a clean cage.

Parakeets

Brightly-colored Asian and African birds known for their grace and social nature; often kept as aviary birds.

Psittacula Parakeets

Earned a reputation as nippy, noisy birds; owners point out their good qualities such as easy-going and independent nature.

Indian Ring-Necked Parakeet

Scientific Name: Psittacula krameri manillensis; Size: Medium, 16 inches; Native Region: India; Life Expectancy: 15 to 30 years; Noise Level: Moderate; Talk/Trick Ability: Fair; can be good mimics.