List of Pet Bird Types

Birds are inexpensive affectionate companions who can live as long as most canines, and require little maintenance. Really, all they need is fresh clean food and water and weekly cleaning of their cages. Pet birds can be trained to talk and cuddle. If you raise birds by hand as babies they will recognize you as their parent and the bond will be more substantial. Some birds will display a lively personality while others may remain more shy and subdued, but there is no doubt that they each have their own set of special personal characteristics.

  1. Parakeet/Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

    • Parakeets are also referred to as budgies. The English variety have more pronounced foreheads and larger builds than American parakeets. Parakeets measure approximately 7 to 10 inches in length, and they come in a variety of appealing colors including green, blue, yellow and white. Younger birds are marked with black bands coming up from the beak. Many people are surprised to learn that they can be taught to talk; chances of this improve significantly when the bird is hand raised. Their basic diet consists of seed; they especially favor spray millet. The average lifespan of a parakeet is six years, and the males tend to live longer than the females.

    Canary (Serinus canaria)

    • Canaries were named after the Canary Islands where they were originally discovered. They are renowned for their beautiful singing and their distinctive coloring. Canaries are bred specifically for singing and for their color variations and appearance. Canaries are not as social as other birds but will benefit from occasional periods of free flight time around the house. Canaries enjoy eating fresh greens as well as seeds, and giving them different options with their food can improve both their singing and their health. Their life span is between five and ten years.

    Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

    • These birds are mostly grey, yellow, and white with a few different color variations such as Albino, Pied, Lutino, and Pearl. They respond extremely well to hand training and they are very social creatures who can become attached to humans and other birds easily. Out of all the other species of pet birds they are generally considered to be the most affectionate. The average lifespan of a pet cockatiel is between 15 and 20 years.

    African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

    • African Grey Parrots have been kept as pets for over 4,000 years. They are extremely intelligent birds who can effectively communicate emotions and desires to their owners. They measure approximately 13 inches in length and their coloring ranges between a soft grey and silver tone. Males are slightly larger than the females, and the females have longer necks and smaller heads. These birds are considered by most parrot enthusiasts to be the best at mimicry and language use. They have an impressive lifespan ranging on average between 50 and 65 years if properly cared for.

    Cockatoo (Cacatua)

    • These birds are very lovable and amusing birds who love attention and interaction. They may even become demanding if not suitably occupied. There are 40 species of cockatoo. They measure between 12 and 20 inches in length depending on the subspecies. They are primarily white and sometimes have a bright yellow crest. These birds can learn to talk and really excel at performing various tricks. They enjoy entertaining as they crave nearly constant attention and require a great deal of free flight time. They love to be cuddled and carried and have an average lifespan of 60 years.