Very Small Birds That Do Well in Captivity

While the notion of pet birds may conjure up images of large macaws and other big parrots, some birds are much smaller and do just as well in captivity. The different types of small birds come with their own sets of requirements, affection levels and personalities, making the choice even more difficult.

  1. Parakeet

    • Small little parrots that abound in pet stores and from breeders, parakeets are among the most commonly kept bird species in captivity. Averaging around 7 inches long, these little guys are suitable for beginners. Parakeets are big on personality -- some even learn to talk. They require at least an hour of one-on-one interaction every day, so unless you have time to spend with them, consider another species or get at least two budgies to put together. Budgies come in several different colors including blue, yellow, green and white. They're playful companions that need a lot of entertainment to keep them happy; some may even pick up a large vocabulary!

    Other Small Parrots

    • If you're looking for a small parrot and have decided that a budgie isn't for you, other options include the colorful lovebirds and parrotlets. Both lovebirds and most parrotlets average about 6 inches long, making them among the smallest parrots available. Both types often do best when housed singly and need large amounts of daily interaction to become hand-friendly, tame birds. The cost for these two types of birds is a little bit higher than other birds in the same size range, but their affectionate personalities, tricks and quirky behavior are all favored by adoring owners.

    Canaries

    • Bright yellow songbirds often conjure up images of the sunny little bird singing away in a small cage. Canaries are the ideal pet for someone looking for a colorful bird with a pretty song, although only the males sing. Because of their long history as pets, there are several different breeds of canaries. Some have colorful plumage in shades of pink or rose; others were bred particularly for their song. A single canary will make an exceptional pet with daily conversations and through-the-cage interaction from you; although not particularly common, a canary may even become finger-tame.

    Finches

    • Finches are among the smallest of the small; they typically don't even reach 4 inches long. Several of the commonly kept finch species are native to Australia. If you're looking for social birds that don't really wish to interact too much with you, many finches will make the ideal pet. These guys are normally very social, so getting a pair will keep them healthy and happy. Many people enjoy the songs of finches, although they're not as musical as canaries. They tend to be quieter than many other species. Common pet finches include zebra and society finches. Society finches, as their name implies, do best in small to large social groups.