Types of Pet Birds With their Name, Picture and Species

Types of Pet Birds With their Name, Picture and Species

Many types of birds can make wonderful pets and long-time companions. Popular pet birds come in all different sizes to suit most types of homes. Small pet birds like finches, canaries, parakeets, and lovebirds are friendly low maintenance birds. They are also the best kinds of pet birds for beginners and apartments. Larger pet parrots, cockatiels, and cockatoos also make great household pet birds but take more care and attention.

One of the reasons why birds are excellent pets is that many species are low maintenance. Also, many different types of domestic birds enjoy interacting with humans and they can become loyal pets. Birds can also provide fun entertainment as some mimic household noises or human speech. Some types of pet parrots can be trained to do tricks.

In this article, you will learn about some of the most popular house birds that make great pets. You will also find out how to quickly identify these pet birds with the pictures provided.

Types of Pet Birds (With Pictures and Common Names)

Let’s look in more detail at some of the best types of pet birds you can have at home.

Parakeets (Budgies)

parakeet - popular in the household pet bird category

Budgies are a type of small pet birds that are popular in many houses

Budgerigar is one name for a small species of parrot commonly called a parakeet or budgie. These small birds are the most popular type of bird to keep as pets.

Parakeets (scientific name: Melopsittacus undulatus) are great domestic birds to keep as pets because they are easy to care for, small, and cheap to buy. Most budgies are easy to identify as they have green bodies and yellowish heads. These vibrant colors are contrasted with their black and white marked wings. Another way to identify parakeets is by their long tail feathers. Pet parakeets can also be blue, yellow and gray, or white in color.

Parakeets are one of the best pet birds for beginners because they are easy to care for. They are between 7” and 10” (17 – 25 cm) in size and live for around 10 years or longer. If you are thinking about getting a budgerigar as a house pet, then it is best to buy them in pairs. Budgies are also quite docile birds and rarely show any signs of aggression.

Budgies mainly eat seeds and grains, but their diet can also include nuts and fruits.


cockatiels - popular pet bird species

Cockatiels are a popular household pet bird species due to their friendly nature

Native to Australia, the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) is the second most popular type of bird to keep as a household pet. Cockatiels belong to the subfamily called Nymphicinae which is related to cockatoos.

Species of cockatiels have great variation when it comes to color. The most common cockatiel is the gray cockatiel with light to dark gray plumage and yellow or white faces. You will also notice orange blushing on cockatiels just under their eyes. These markings are sometimes referred to as “cheddar cheeks.” One of the identifying features of cockatiels is their distinctive crest that stands up vertical on their heads.

Some beautiful types of cockatiels have lightly colored yellowish heads and pure white plumage and wings.

The reason why cockatiels are always on the list of top pet birds is that they have a friendly nature. These common house birds provide plenty of entertainment because they can learn to whistle tunes. Because cockatiels can live up to 20 years, they can provide plenty of companionship for many years.

Similar to parakeets, cockatiels enjoy a diet of seeds, nuts, fruits, and fresh vegetables.



Cockatoo is a larger pet bird and is a type of parrot

Cockatoo is another popular type of pet bird and is a type of parrot similar to the cockatiel. There are about 21 species of cockatoo that belong to the family Cacatuidae. These tame birds have distinctive crested heads and a curved bill.

Compared to cockatiels, cockatoos are larger birds and more difficult to keep. There are many different types of birds in the cockatoo family. Some have jet black plumage and wings with red markings around their cheeks. True white cockatoos belong to the subgenus Cacatua and some of these species have large showy yellow crests on their heads. Cockatoos raise these spectacular crests when they land or are excited.

Cockatoos can range in size from 12” to 24” (30 – 60 cm) making them a medium to large-sized pet bird. Compared to other birds in the order Psittaciformes (parrots), cockatoos aren’t as brightly colored.



The small yellow canary is a popular house bird because it is easy to care for

Canaries are some of the easiest and smallest types of household pet birds that you can buy. The name of this pet bird comes from the Canary Islands. The scientific name of the domestic canary is ‘Serinus canaria forma domestica’ and are in the same family as finches, Fringillidae.

Canary birds have been popular as a cage and aviary household bird since the 17th century when they were domesticated. Although canaries are traditionally yellow, pet birds come in a number of colors. Some popular colors for pet canaries are orange, white, red, black, and brown.

Canaries are typically small delicate birds that are known for their delightful singing (only the males sing). However, they are solitary birds and don’t usually interact with humans very well. Because of their size and quiet nature, canaries are some of the best pet birds for apartments. Their low-maintenance and preference to be on their own means that canaries make great pets if you want an easy-to-care-for bird.


picture of finch - small vibrant bird that is very social

There are many species of finches with various colors. In the picture: zebra finch

Finches are another species of bird that make great house pets due to their small size. These small energetic birds spend most of their time in the cage, and many species of finch are beautiful singers. Finches are from the family Fringillidae in the avian order Passeriformes.

Finches are sociable birds and it is always best to keep them as pets in pairs or more. Their vibrant colors can really create a talking piece in your room. Some species of pet finches have beautiful green and blue iridescent colors, others have bright red heads, and some have striking yellow and blue bodies.

One popular pet bird from the finch family is the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). These small birds have short conical red or orange bills and various types of markings. These pet birds get the name ‘zebra finch’ from their striking black and white pattern on their wings and upper bodies.



Lovebird is a small friendly pet bird with green and orange-red feathers

Lovebirds are some of the friendliest birds that you can keep as pets. These small green birds are actually a type of parrot and they are easy to socialize if trained from a young age.

Lovebirds grow to between 5” and 7” (13 – 17 cm) and are characterized by a blushing color on their cheeks. As house pets, breeders have used selective breeding to create species that have green, yellow, and red colors, or blue, white, and black. Lovebirds are also the perfect type of pet bird for apartments because they are quiet and don’t cause a lot of commotion.



Ringneck doves (upper picture) and diamond doves (lower picture) are some of the best dove species to keep as pet birds

Some types of doves are good for keeping as pets indoors and outdoors. Doves are actually in the same genus as pigeons, Columbidae. The best species of dove to keep as a pet bird are ringneck doves (Streptopelia risoria) or diamond doves (Geopelia cuneata).

Many people may not think of doves as a domesticated bird to keep as a pet. However, they are fairly docile birds and they bond well with their owners. It is important to know that if you are thinking about getting a pet dove, it needs regular time to interact. This means that getting 2 doves can be a good idea if you have space inside your home. Or, you can spend plenty of time during the day interacting and bonding.

Their gentle cooing can be very relaxing, and a white dove in your house is a great talking point for your visitors.



Having a pet toucan is not legal everywhere

Toucans (Ramphastidae) are colorful majestic birds that can be kept as pets in some places. It certainly isn’t easy to care for toucans as they require specialized attention, care, and an aviary to fly in. If you are thinking about having a toucan as a pet, you should find out if it is legal in the place where you live.

Different Types of Pet Parrots With Their Picture and Common Name

Parrots are among the most exotic pet birds that you can keep in a cage at home. Pet parrots can be as small as a budgerigar or as large as a blue and yellow macaw.

Some types of parrots aren’t the best pets for beginners as they can be temperamental. Keeping a parrot as a pet requires daily interaction with the bird and proper training to socialize them. However, when well looked after, parrots can make wonderful companions for their owners.

Read on to find out which may be the best type of pet parrot for you.

Poicephalus Parrots

poicephalus parrot

Poicephalus Parrots include several species with various colors

There are a number of species of parrots in the genus Poicepalus all of which are medium-sized pet birds. From all the types of companion parrots, these types of parrots are the easiest to care for and not as messy.

Popular Poicephalus pet parrots include the red-bellied parrot, the Senegal parrot, and the Meyer’s parrot. Due to the fact they are relatively quiet, these species of parrots are good as apartment pets. These friendly birds are inquisitive, playful, comical, and acrobatic.

Another reason why Pocephalus parrots are good pets is that they act like large parrots in a compact body. If you are willing to spend the time learning how to interact with them, they can become a great feathered friend.

Pionus Parrots

pionus parrot

The blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus) has green body and blue head

If you are looking for a gentle and charming parrot to keep as a pet, then any type of Pionus parrot is a good option. Pionus parrots are medium-sized birds with the Blue-headed, White-capped, and Maximillian species being the most popular pets.

When it comes to choosing a parrot for a pet, Pionus are some of the easiest to care for. They are not as noisy as some other types of parrots and they enjoy human interaction. Owners of these delightful parrots describe them as “gentle and charming pets.”

Pionus parrots are not some of the most vibrantly colored birds of the parrot family. Due to this fact, these friendly parrots aren’t among the most popular pet birds. From the tropical birds, the Blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus) is the most charming. This has a green body with a blue head and blue underparts. You will also notice a red under-tail that is typical of many Pionus parrots.

Amazon Parrots

Amazon parrots

Amazon parrots are medium to large tropical pet birds

Amazon parrots are another type of tropical birds that are popular as pets. These parrots are classed as medium to large-sized parrots and their behavior can be unpredictable. Most Amazon parrots have green body. The colored markings on the different species mostly occur around the head and beak area.

The name of this parrot genus is Amazona and they are native to Central and South America. Most of the many species of parrots in this genus are well-known for their singing abilities. They also have a playful nature and their antics can be a continual source of entertainment.

Amazon parrots are definitely not good pets for novice bird enthusiasts. Although they can act cuddly and cute, they can suddenly turn aggressive, especially in mating season. Also, their loud singing and squawking in the evenings and mornings mean they are not suitable for keeping in apartments.


blue and green Pacific parrotlets

In the image: blue and green Pacific parrotlets

If you want to keep a bird parrot as a pet but don’t have the room, then a parrotlet is the best choice for you.

Parrotlets have the attitude of Amazons but are the size of lovebirds. Although these aren’t low-maintenance pet birds, parrotlets are well-suited for first-time parrot owners. Like Amazons, most species of parrotlets are generally blue or green-colored birds. The most popular of the parrotlets as a pet is the Pacific parrotlet (Forpus coelestis).

An interesting behavioral characteristic of parrotlets is that they tend to bond to one person. Because of this, they are best kept as a solitary pet to avoid them bonding to the other one and becoming aggressive towards their owner. Also, it’s essential to handle these cute small parrots every day to keep them socialized and not get nippy.

With the proper care, love, and attention, you will have hours of fun with your pet parrotlet.

Golden Conures (Parrot)

golden conure

There are many conures species that vary in color and size. In the photo: golden conure

Conures are classed as a large parakeet or small species of parrot and there is a number of genera in the group.

In fact, there is such a variety in the color and size of Conures that it’s difficult to categorize them exactly. Most species of conures have long tails and strong, hooked beaks. They are highly sociable but need proper training and attention to keep their behavior in check. Some experts say that you need to spend around one hour a day interacting with conure parrots.

One reason why these small parrots are popular pets is due to their exotic coloring. Some have dark green bodies and vibrant orange or yellow heads. Others have lime-green plumage and black faces.

The most striking of all the small pet parrots is the golden conure. This is a brightly colored yellow parrot with a white beak and green flight feathers. The golden conure is also called the golden parakeet or yellow macaw.

Eclectus Parrot

eclectus parrots

Eclectus parrots are beautiful and colorful pet birds

Eclectus parrots are some of the most exotic-looking parrots you can keep at home. Parrots in this genus are classed as a large type of parrot in the family Psittaculidae.

Their unusual coloring is one of the fascinating characteristics of these shy family pets. The males and females look so different that they seem to be different species. The males are bright emerald green with vibrant orange-colored beaks. The females have blue and purple plumage and bright-red heads.

Eclectus parrots are calmer in nature than some of the other breeds. They can calmly sit on a perch without making as much noise or squawking as other species. These large intelligent pet birds also mimic household items such as telephones ringing, alarms going off, or the microwave ‘ding.’

Eclectus parrots can be expensive pets that can cost up to $1,200 depending on the species. They also require a specialized diet to prevent vitamin deficiencies.

Lories and lorikeets

rainbow lorikeet

The rainbow lory has a striking colorful plumage

Lory and lorikeet parrots are some of the most colorful birds that you can keep as a household pet. Due to the fact that they need a specialized diet and regular interaction, they are not low-maintenance pet birds.

These active parrots are multicolored birds that can have bright orange, vibrant blue, and bright green colors. One example of this type of parrot is the rainbow lory (Trichoglossus moluccanus). Its long, tapered tail feathers just add to the bird’s elegance.

Some other fascinating types of lories are the ‘black-cap lory’ with its red and green body and black-capped head, the ‘chattering lory’ with bright red plumage and green wings, and the ‘dusky lory’ with orange and black striped markings.


macaw parrot

Macaw parrots are high-maintenance pet birds that require expert care

When it comes to pet parrots, macaws are the quintessential parrot that most people think of. Macaws are high-maintenance pet birds that need strict boundaries to prevent them from becoming aggressive and dominant.

Macaws are identified by their long elegant tail feathers, large powerful beaks, and vibrant colors. Some of the most popular species of macaw have bright yellow underparts and deep blue upperparts.

These large birds can be challenging to keep at home as they need room to fly. It is important to train them, spend a lot of time with them, and put up with the occasional bite! However, for experience avian experts, macaws are great pet birds to train and perform tricks.

Some of the smaller macaw species are easier to handle. However, these still require expert care and attention to keep them in their place.

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