The Best Parrots for Beginners

Parrots are very seductive birds; the kinds of exotic fantasy pets that will get you stopped on the street -- and keep you and the neighbors up all night. In truth, parrots can be charming, fun and rewarding household residents but they are high-maintenance, messy, noisy and capable of a very nasty bite. Do your homework before you fall in love with those rainbow feathers at the pet store. Parrots can live longer than humans and a psittacine pet can be a lifelong commitment. Be sure the romance will last.

  1. Small Parrots

    • Do not make the mistake of thinking that a small parrot isn't much trouble. Small parrots need every consideration that large parrots do, in less space. If you are prepared to spend time taming the bird, let it out daily for exercise, keep it entertained and feed it a careful diet. Consider a parrotlet. These are true miniature parrots that look like perfect mini-versions of large parrots. Parrotlets have outsize personalities and are little alpha birds. They are about the size of budgies or smaller -- 3 ½ inches from beak to tail feathers -- with the self-regard of macaws. They are quieter than budgies and live up to 30 years. You may have to hunt for a breeder or avian store that supplies them -- they are not yet widely available.

    Medium Parrots

    • Cockatiels are pretty kid-friendly and tend to be sunny, not snippy. They are long-lived and sweet-tempered, living from 20 to 30 years, and have a lovely musical voice. This is a real plus because most parrots are shriekers and squawkers and can be a non-stop headache, for you and the neighbors. The cockatiel's feathers crest when it is frightened or curious. The birds like to walk around freely, preening in mirrors and begging for head scratches. Cockatiels will sit on your shoulder for hours but they can screech and will do so when you aren't paying enough attention to them. Feed them seeds, enriched pellets, colorful vegetables and leafy greens and a small amount of colorful fruit. House them in the largest cage you can find or, best choice, a home aviary.

    Larger Parrot

    • Large parrots are not for beginners and not for most people. Their powerful beaks are capable of real damage and they require extraordinary amounts of space and attention. But talking parrots are extremely popular and the smartest and chattiest is at the small end of the large parrot spectrum. African greys are cognitive speakers. They don't just "parrot." But that means some of them decide to use just a few words and turn their big brains to repeating every sound they hear. A grey may not recite Hamlet's soliloquy for you but it will be an affectionate and long-lived companion, from 50 to 60 years with proper care. Greys are very sensitive and will pluck their own feathers when stressed so you need a Zen household for a healthy bird. They shed a lot of powder when grooming their down feathers and require a weekly rain shower to stay clean. The powder makes African greys a poor choice for anyone with allergies.

    Where to Find a Pet Parrot

    • Don't ever buy a wild-caught bird. The World Parrot Trust says there are more than 350 parrot species and over 200 of them are available in captivity. Many parrots are endangered due to poaching for the pet trade and some carry serious diseases. Find a reputable breeder who provides hand-raised, weaned birds and find a good avian vet before bringing your first bird home. Birds are a special case and an avian veterinarian will recognize health problems and have the necessary training and equipment to deal with them. Consider adopting a parrot. Some rescue birds are tamed and delightful. They are so long lived that a 10-year-old bird is still young.