What Kinds of Parrots Are There?

Parrots are a diverse group of birds, native to four continents: Africa, South America, Asia and Australia. They are known for their colorful plumage, intelligence and vocal mimicry. Many types of parrots can learn to mimic human speech, and may even have some rudimentary language skills. Parrots can be wonderful companions and a valuable addition to a household. The World Parrot Trust, a leading conservation organization, recognizes hundreds of different types of parrots.

  1. African Greys

    • An African grey parrot.

      African greys are medium-sized (11 to 13 inches long) parrots with compact gray and white bodies and red tail feathers. Less colorful than many other parrots, they are among the smartest, and the best talkers. The most complete and successful avian language studies have been done on African greys.

    Amazons

    • Amazon parrots.

      Similar in body type and size to the African grey, Amazons are mostly green with a variety of different color accents on their heads and wings. As their name implies, they are native to South America. Amazons make good pets, and can become good talkers. They have a reputation for enjoying (and replicating) music and singing.

    Budgies

    • Budgies, aka parakeets, are the most common type of pet parrot.

      The most common type of pet parrot, budgies, are also known as budgerigars and parakeets and are small birds (7 to 8 inches long), usually green and yellow in color, with blue and white variations. Budgies are relatively easy to care for, and while their voices may be difficult to understand, can develop a large vocabulary. They are native to Australia.

    Cockatiels

    • Cockatiels have a lot of personality.

      Second in popularity to the budgie, cockatiels are small birds (9 to 10 inches) also native to Australia. They have long-tailed gray or yellow bodies with yellow fronts, white faces and red cheek spots. They also have a distinctive white and yellow crest on their head, which they raise when happy, excited or frightened. Males of this species may learn a small number of words, and these small birds are inveterate whistlers with a lot of personality.

    Cockatoos

    • Cockatoos have a dramatic head crest.

      Also from Australia and Oceania, cockatoos are large birds (13 to 20 inches) that are mostly bright white in color, sometimes with highlights of pink or yellow. They have a dramatic head crest, which is raised when happy or frightened. Cockatoos are friendly pets once they bond with a human, but are also capable of being very noisy, and are big and strong enough that an accidental or panicked bite can cause an injury.

    Conures

    • Two different types of conures.

      Conures are a group of small (10 to 11 inches) long-tailed parrots native to South America. There are many varieties, usually named for the specific colors of their feathers, which vary greatly from type to type, but are often bright and colorful. Not known for talking, conures are playful and affectionate, but may be loud.

    Macaws

    • A hyacinth macaw, the giants of the parrot world.

      Macaws are native to South America. Macaws range in size from medium (11 to 15 inches) to the largest of parrots, the hyacinth macaw (39 inches long). They are known for their strong, hooked bills, dramatic long tails and brightly colored plumage. They can learn to speak well, and can be wonderful companions, although the size of most macaws means that they are not a bird for beginner parrot enthusiasts.