Types of Parrots

Choosing the perfect parrot can be hard since there are so many types of parrots out there. You must consider the size, activity level, and personality of the bird. Here are some examples of popular parrot types that you may be interested in adopting.

Macaw

The Macaw hails from South America and is the largest of the parrot family. They are intelligent, funny, and affectionate at their best. However, that intelligence sometimes causes the Macaw to challenge their human to see who is the dominant member of the household! The biggest Macaw, also called the Hyacinth Macaw is very docile and friendly, but the smaller Hahn’s Macaws can be bratty and challenge their owners.

Conure

The Conure also comes from South America and is a cousin of the Macaw. They are much smaller and thinner than the Macaw and come in two major types, the Aratinga and the Pyrrhura. If you like your parrot to be a talker, the Aratinga is your best bet. If you’d rather a quiet bird, the Pyrrhura is gentle and quiet and a great first parrot for an inexperienced owner.

Amazons

The Amazon, also from South America, is a very popular large parrot. They are boisterous, confident, and talkative. Types of Amazon parrot include Yellow Nape, Double Yellow Head and Blue Front. They can be moody birds, so the wise owner knows when to keep his hand out of the cage! The Amazon is one of the only types of parrot that can mimic the tone of their owner’s voice.

African Grey

The African Grey can be as smart as a five year old human child! Many tests have been done with African Greys proving that they don’t just mimic speech; they understand what they are saying! They can identify items by name when they see them and even request specific food. Because they are so smart, African Greys need to be socialized and made to feel comfortable around humans so they don’t get stressed or aggressive.

Cockatoos

The Cockatoo hails from the Pacific and are bright, friendly and playful, in addition to being talkers. They have a crest of feathers on their head which can stand up if they are excited. They enjoy routine and can be trained to be as smart as the African Grey.

Cockatiels

Most households with birds have cockatiels. They are tiny, with a crested head like the cockatiel. They are an inexpensive bird, which makes them a great first pet. They are stubborn, but can learn how to talk and whistle if you have the patience to work with them.

Budgies / Parakeets

Sadly, most parakeets from pet stores are essentially wild birds. They are not hand-raised and will be afraid of their owner. A hand-raised parakeet will cost more but are much more pleasant to own as pets. They are stubborn like the cockatiel, but can be loveable and charming pets.

Eclectus

The unique thing about the Eclectus is the difference between the male and female birds. The males are green with red or purple feathers under the wing, while the females are red. They are talkers with soft voices that are much sweeter than other parrot types. Their personalities are also different with the males being much more sociable than the females.

The Perfect Parrot Type?

The perfect parrot type is up to the individual owner, their personality, their budget, and their lifestyle. If you do your research, you will find the perfect parrot type for you.