Types of Parrots for a Family

When choosing a parrot for your home, it's important to evaluate your situation before deciding which type of bird to get. Your decision should be based on your home environment and not on how cute a bird is. It's important to know that parrots grow up, and do not necessarily stay cute to their human companions. Domesticated parrots learn negative behavior from their human companions. They tear things up like a toddler would, and they bite -- sometimes a lot. Their bite can be painful, and depending on the type of bird, they are capable of breaking skin or even severing fingers. Parrots also live a long time, with average life span of 25 to 80 years and up. A parrot purchase should be given considerable thought before committing to the lifelong relationship.

  1. Small Parrots

    • Small parrots include lovebirds and parrotlets. Both birds are social, lovable, and adorable, but many parents do not realize that they are also very fragile. Small children can easily kill these guys by dropping them or holding them too tight. These birds are best for older children. The parrotlet is often referred to as the pocket parrot, because of its size. They are only about 4 to 6 inches in length but pack a powerful bite that won't sever fingers but can certainly hurt. Both lovebirds and parrotlets require large parrot-sized cages, because they require room to fly around. Many people think lovebirds have to be in pairs, but this is not true, and in fact do better singly, because they bond better to their owner.

    Medium Parrots

    • Medium parrots include the indian ringneck, quaker parakeet and cockatiel. These birds are very social and usually do well in homes with children if the child is closely supervised. Their upkeep is relatively small compared to other parrots, but do require a large cage, and a constantly rotating supply of toys. Otherwise they become bored and will take up screaming for attention or chew up your couch, flooring, and walls. Quakers and ringnecks have extensive vocabularies and are capable of learning complicated words. Quakers must be watched around other animals in the home. Since they are so social, they tend to try to play with cats and dogs, even bullying them by nipping toes or ears, or pulling out fur.

    Large Parrots

    • Large parrots such as the cockatoo and macaw live 80 years and up, so before you purchase one, make sure you are up for the long haul. Also, large parrots are not suitable for children, and in any event, your child may in the beginning seem excited, but will not likely thank you for the 80-year commitment once they are old enough to understand what you, the parent, has gotten them into. Large parrots are great companions for those who are responsible, such as a loving devoted adult who is able to handle a long-term commitment, but they require an enormous amount of attention. The upkeep for a large parrot is also expensive, with frequent need for new toys, food and grooming.

    Warning on Wild Parrots

    • According to The Humane Society of the United States, millions of parrot species are smuggled into the United States and throughout the world each year to supply the multimillion-dollar bird trade. These parrots are wild animals, and are taken from their natural habitat. Wild birds cannot be trained adequately and will always have behavioral issues, such as severe plucking and mutilating of the feathers and skin, and aggression towards their owners or people in the home. It is important to never purchase a parrot from a pet store unless it is being offered as a "second chance" pet, which means that the parrot was previously owned, or the store has a nursery on site where they breed "captive bred" parrots. Captive bred means the parrot was bred, conceived, and raised in captivity.