Most Popular Birds as Pets

A lot of bird species are usually kept as pets. They are known for their beauty and make good companions. Smaller birds ideal for first-time owners, apartment dwellers, and children who wish to take care of one. While bigger and more gregarious birds should better be handled by experienced owners.

The following are the popular types of birds kept as pets.

Pacific Parrotlet

These parrotlets are not quite easy to find or readily available, which makes them a bit more expensive than other pet birds. They may be small (less than about five inches), but the parrotlet’s demands can also be quite big. They need food and fresh water every day, and their cages should be cleaned regularly. These small birds may also need your some bonding time with their owners. Cages should be preferably spacious so that they can move around a lot. They need lots of toys and a play area. Given the proper care and attention, Pacific parrotlets can live up to 20 years. They are more suitable for older children.

Parakeets

Parakeets (also called budgerigars or “budgies”) are one of the more common pet birds. They also make great pets for older children and adults. Like any other pet birds, parakeets also need constant care and attention. Cleaning their cages regularly, giving them food and fresh water daily, constant one-on-one interaction in and out of the cage, providing them play gyms and toys will make parakeets happy. They should be also brought to a vet for regular check-ups, so don’t own a parakeet if you are unwilling to take the bird to the vet.

Society finches

Society finches also make great pet birds, but you have to buy them in pairs. Like many other birds, they also need fresh food and water every day and regular cage floor cleaning or changing. However, they do not require much human interaction.

African grey parrot

The African grey parrot is out to disprove the popular notion of a “bird brain.” Aside from its striking appearance, this handsome bird is also known for its intelligence and ability to mimic human speech, making it one of the most prized pet birds.As it is intelligent, it needs constant attention and lots of tricks to keep itself stimulated. Else, lack of interaction and diversion will cause the animal to become bored, distressed or exhibit behavioral problems. When taken care of properly, African greys may show their affectionate side.

Amazon Parrots

Amazon parrots are also intelligent and affectionate birds. They have the ability to mimic human speech and these characteristics make them popular companion pets. Unfortunately their popularity has led their numbers to be under threat.

Bourke's parakeet

Native to Australia, the Bourke’s parakeet is a beautiful and affectionate bird. When keeping it as a pet, be sure to hand-tame them as they tend to become flighty. Constant care, proper food, changing cages and some interaction (although sometimes it may not need a heavy human interaction) will keep this little creature happy.

Canary

This brightly yellow songbird is one of the more popular cage birds. It usually doesn’t come out of the cage even if the cage door is left open. This pretty bird only needs fresh food and clean water daily, and a regularly cleaned cage. Unlike any other birds, a canary doesn’t need a close and frequent interactions with its human owner.

Cockatiels

Cockatiels are known for their unique, exotic looks as well as their intelligence and highly social nature. They are ranked second next to the parakeet in terms of popularity. Females are more docile and cuddly, while males tend to be more strident. With proper care and housing, cockatiels may live up to 30 years.

Cockatoos

Cockatoos are social and intelligent birds, apart from being attractive. They are affectionate, engaging and comical, but at times they can be noisy, demanding and quite difficult to manage. They can even be a nuisance (the salmon-crested cockatoo being the most notorious).

Since they are highly social, they demand a great deal of attention. Frequent interaction with them is a must; being isolated in a cage for long periods will lead them to suffer behavioral problems. Owing to their curious nature, they have the tendency to tinker many things, so give them some toys for them to play.

Conures

Conures have the reputation as a family-friendly bird. They are smart, affectionate and have the tendency to display funny antics. Like all parrots, conures love attention, and therefore require lots of interaction and more of the “fun stuff” to keep themselves entertained. As long as conures are well socialized, they can get along well with their human family and would join them in a lot of activities together such as watching TV and even sleeping.

diamond dove

These pigeons, native to Australia, are also popular as pet birds. Unlike parrots, they need little interaction, yet they get along well with their human owners. They need an ample cage to be able to move around, lots of perches, as well as probably another dove for a feathered companionship. In captivity diamond doves can live up to 12 to 15 years, compared to only 3-6 years in the wild.

finches

Unlike many other birds here in this gallery, finches are low-maintenance birds. They require less cage space and are less social at least to their human owners. These characteristics make them the perfect pet for anyone who’d just like to sit and watch birds, sans the heavy interaction and maintenance.

goldie's lorikeet

Also a small parrot, goldie’s lorikeet has a docile attitude and requires less maintenance compared to other lories. Naturally curious, they can also be chatty, although these birds have a lower noise level compared to other parrots. They also need an ample cage to fly around and lots of perches. Remember to read about this lorikeet’s dietary requirements before deciding to get one.

lovebirds

Also a popular cage bird, lovebirds should be brought home in pairs as they are known for their strong inclination to bond with their mate, and that mate only. Their affectionate nature makes them a popular companion parrot; they would love to snuggle with their human masters. They are also intelligent, very social and need frequent interaction. Lovebirds have a long life expectancy (up to 20 years) and are ideal for apartment living.

Macaws

These large and colorful parrots also make popular pets. Macaws are noisy by nature; in the wild you can hear them squawking even from a few miles away. So you know what that means — if you want to own a macaw but you live in an apartment, trust us, that won’t work. Their noise are truly ear-shattering!

They are extremely intelligent and gregarious birds so they need frequent interaction, diversion, and some tricks to keep them stimulated. They also tend to bite so train them as soon as possible to prevent them from doing such behavior. They are also known for their wry sense of humor.