Top 10 Most Popular Types of Parrots

Parrots are becoming more and more popular as pets in captivity. People love to train them and teach them tricks and to speak phrases. In the wild, these birds have been admired because of their beauty, intelligence, and outgoingness. They have similar characteristics as humans, as they replicate human words and sounds. Parrots have very childlike behavior and thinking, with some behavioral scientists demonstrating they have the intelligence and communication skills of a 3 year old. This is why these birds make fantastic companions and pets.

There are many kinds of parrot types in the animal kingdom with varieties based on size, shape, and feather colors. The following outlines the top 10 most popular types as pets and in the wild:

1.) Parakeets - Parakeet parrots are known by their long tails, and tend to be a more favored parrot type compared to the Cockatiel for example. Known as a small parrot, the parakeet has bright feather colors. Their behavior is typically energetic and they crave human interaction.

2.) Cockatiels - Cockatiels are smaller parrot types typically identified by their notable head and tail feathers. Males have great speaking abilities, while the female Cockatiels are quieter, but are more aggressive. The females also are more likely to bite and hiss. The Cockatiels are good pets in captivity, as they are very sociable and love to interact.

3.) Lorries & Lovebirds - These birds are from South America and have been an inspiration to many as they are extremely peaceful birds with bright feather colors. They do not require much space, are able to maintain great health, and love to be with other parrots.

4.) Conures - The Conures are more playful birds that are large parakeets, which have a slightly smaller build with longer tails. These parrots are from Central and South America, and have friendly personalities, sometimes leading to louder squawks.

5.) Macaws -These birds are mostly recognized for their large frame and bright rainbow colored feathers and beaks. Originating from the tropical regions of South and Central America, the macaw shows great intelligence with fantastic speaking abilities.

6.) Amazon -Also known as green parrots (since most have an overwhelming green feather color), Amazon parrots are very smart, talkative, and friendly. These parrots are easier to train than other parrots, and can duplicate the human voice of their owner.

7.) Cockatoo -Most known by their standing head crest and arched bills, these parrots types are larger than many other parrots but have less color in their feathers. These parrots are both friendly and talkative with frequent squawking and screaming.

8.) Caiuges - This parrot type is regarded as both smart and attractive in the parrot world. These parrots have an array of different feather colors, and have been referred to as the seven-colored parrot from their vast feather colors.

9.) Poicephalus Parrots -Originally from Africa, these birds are usually on the shy side but have endearing personalities. Ranging in size from small to medium, this parrot type demonstrates good and social behavioral traits.

10.) Parrotlets - These types are also known for their smaller size. With energetic, enjoyable, and courteous attributes, they can duplicate human voice and words, but are harder to understand. In the wild, these birds travel in flocks.

Parrots can be a fun and rewarding pet to own and care for. It is important to ensure your parrot receives proper training and love with much time devoted to their parrot. Remember this is a long term commitment, since parrots can live literally decades.

Lovebirds - We're More Than Just Friends

If we see two people out in public and they appear to be affectionate, like holding hands or even kissing, there's usually a term we use to describe their behavior. The term we use is lovebirds, because they appear to be in love. But those people really are imitators, because the real lovebirds are birds. A lovebird is a type of parrot. Their name comes from the fact that they are very sociable and affectionate. When they bond with their mate, it usually lasts their entire life. Though it's possible to have only one, it's best to keep the birds in pairs.

The lovebird is short and stocky. It's considered to be one of the smallest parrots in the world. Though many lovebirds are green, they can come in many colors. The average life span of a lovebird can be anywhere between 10 to 15 years. There are 9 different species, so how can we know the difference? They can be identified by their colors and markings; each species has their own unique color scheme.

Lovebirds were basically unknown until the 1600s. Some Europeans, touring Africa, saw the birds and decided to write about them. The first lovebirds were imported into Europe in the 19th century but by the 20th century, many were being imported into both Europe and the US.

The lovebird can be found in Africa and in Madagascar. It prefers a dry and open area. The lovebird can lay between 3 to 6 eggs at a time and it usually takes about 22 days for the eggs to hatch. The baby birds generally leave the nest within 5 weeks of being born. When in the wild, lovebirds like to live in small flocks. Their diet consist of grass, seeds, fruit and vegetables.

Lovebirds are popular pets. Breeding lovebirds is a big business. Though some owners may have lovebirds from the wild, most are purchased through breeders. The lovebirds that come from the breeders are more tame and should probably adapt to their new environment, easier then lovebirds from the wild. Pet owners need to be sure they want lovebirds as their pets. If the owners only want one bird, then they need to know that a lovebird requires a lot of attention and interaction. That's why it's suggested that lovebirds be kept in pairs, so they can keep each other company. Lovebirds, just like humans, sometimes don't get along. Owners need to make sure their birds are compatible, because if they're not, they will fight.

The lovebird is one of those exotic birds that has been able to adapt to domestication much easier than most other creatures from foreign countries. They make great pets, as long as the owners understand all that is involved with owning them. Maybe it's their social ability or the chirping that makes the lovebird such a desirable pet. People love having something foreign and exotic to liven up their homes and show off to their neighbors. Lovebirds have created a large and loyal following in the world of pet owners.

Lovebirds Parrot

There are several species of lovebirds (genus Agapornis and but the most commonly found species in the pet trade include peach faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis, masked lovebirds (Agapornis personata) and Fischer's lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri). There are many color mutations found in peach faced lovebirds and several mutations in some of the other species, so there are many color variations of lovebirds available.

This is one kind of parrot birds.

Parrots As Pets - 8 Parrot Species Described

Parrots are wonderful creatures with their stunningly beautiful colors, super intellect, and their show-stopping ability to speak words and imitate sounds. If you are considering adopting a Parrot here are brief descriptions of eight types. Most have considerable life spans, so knowing what to expect will go a long way towards helping you choose once and well.

African Greys are medium size birds that are grey and sometimes have a red tail and or red wings. Many speak using a large vocabulary of words, and imitate sounds they hear, but there is no guarantee that every Grey, and more specifically, your Grey will speak. Buying the bird for this feature is not a good idea. They can be very loud, and sometimes even scream. They are demanding in terms of the human attention they need, but will more than reward your attention with love and loyalty.

Cockatiels are gentle natured birds that are generally less expensive than most other parrots. They are a great choice for a first time bird owner because they are non-aggressive and adapt very easily to their humans particularly if they have been weaned, hand fed, and adopted when very young. They are a hardy birds with a usual life span of between 15 and 20 years. Normally grey in the wild, there is a huge color selection available ranging from white to cinnamon with many mutations in between, but are most often thought of as cream-colored with a yellow plume.

Cockatoos look very similar to Cockatiels but are much larger and can be aggressive and even bite if caution is not used. This is a generalization, but making sure you choose one that is gentle will make a better pet that can be enjoyed by you and children in the family as well. They are much more costly ranging upwards of $1,000 as opposed to Cockatiels which range in the $100's to purchase. They are quite loud, but can learn a wide variety of words which is one of the reasons for the added cost to purchase.

Conures are small in size by parrot standards with long tails and a wide variety of vivid colors available. They are highly intelligent and love to play and clown around. They can be taught to do tricks, and may learn to speak. An experienced owner who is home a lot is best because they need a minimum of several hours each day of socialization to avoid behavior problems and biting. Providing lots of toys can cut down on their natural tendency toward excessive chewing. Their screeching is a well-known trait, and whereas it is not desirable to totally eliminate it, early training can keep it from becoming a problem.

Lovebirds are generally only 5 to 6 inches long and come in a variety of colors. If you have a lot of time adopting one will work; if not, getting 2 at the same time will provide the social interaction that they need, but be prepared for them bonding more to each other than to you. Though small in size, they have big personalities and need daily training and handling to keep them tame. They can bite and be territorial so they are not for the faint of heart. But with proper care they can be cuddly, loyal companions that live 15 years or longer.

Macaws are the largest birds in the Parrot family and can live on average up to 50 years. Know that adopting a Macaw means a commitment for life. Because of their size they need a lot of space inside the cage, and need to be allowed outside the cage daily for a minimum of several hours. They have strong beaks and can chew excessively to the point of destroying furniture. They need daily human interaction and training, and a wide variety of toys that are rotated on a regular basis to provide constant stimulation.

Parakeet literally means long tail and serves as an excellent beginning to the description of this medium size member of the Parrot family. Available in a wide variety of colors, they range in size from 7 to 18 inches long. Their personalities are generally friendly, social and energetic making it a popular choice for those who want a bird as a companion. They are quite intelligent and in many cases can learn to speak.

Parrotlets are miniature size parrots that offer the same wide spectrum of colors generally associated with the Parrot family, only they are usually less than 5 inches long. Though small, they are fearless and will often attack other bigger birds and animals. They, as any bird, should be constantly supervised when out of the cage and kept separate from other birds and animals. With proper care they can live 15 years or more.