African Grey Amazon Budgerigar (Budgie) Caique Cockatiel
Cockatoo Conure Dove Eclectus Finch
Indian Ringneck Lovebird Macaw Parrotlet Pionus
There are two major subspecies of African Greys – the Congo, which has a bright red tail; and the Timneh, which is a bit smaller than the Congo and has a darker red tail. Both types are considered medium-size birds. The Grey's lifespan is similar to that of a human.
The African Grey is a highly intelligent species, and arguably the best in terms of learning human speech and other sounds. Many are "closet talkers." That is, they do most of their talking when no one is in the room. Greys are a quieter bird, not prone to screaming, although they are certainly capable of loud squawking if displeased.
Greys are not as "cuddly" as some other companion birds, but that doesn't mean they are anti-social. They are friendly, loving, good-natured birds, just not particularly demonstrative of their feelings.
Because they are so intelligent, Greys can easily become bored if not given enough attention and stimulation. (Studies thus far have shown the intelligence level of Greys to be on a par with a five-year-old child.) Boredom can lead to feather-plucking, as it can with other bird species. They require a great deal of interaction with their human companions, along with plenty of stimulating toys. Toys made for toddlers can be a good choice for Greys.
Be aware that African Greys are among the "dusty" species, which means they produce a very fine powdery dander resembling dust. This can aggravate someone with allergies and should be taken into consideration. Regular bathing and misting can help with the dust.
This is a bird that would do best with an experienced bird handler.
There are quite a few Amazon species, though some are more common than others. (To see all the species, go to http://www.avianweb.com/amazonspecies.html.) Amazons are considered medium to large birds, with a lifespan of approximately 50 to 60 years.
Amazons are spunky birds with strong personalities. They are loyal and playful. They are also very social, and if not given adequate attention and stimulation they can become aggressive or resort to excessive screaming. They require lots of time for basic interaction as well as positive training.
These birds need plenty of chewable toys to destroy. Amazons are good chewers and providing an acceptable outlet for this trait is a must. Large wood, plastic, and cardboard toys will do the trick.
Amazons can be good talkers if taught early. While not always the case, they can also be screamers, and they do have a very loud voice. Once again, giving them adequate attention and training will help to lessen the screaming.
This is a bird that would do best with an experienced bird handler.
Budgies are also commonly called "parakeets." They may be a variety of colors, with green, blue, and yellow being the most commonly seen. Budgies are a very small bird, but like finches, they should still be given adequate room to fly and bounce around. The average lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
Budgies are wonderful little companions, who are social and friendly. People sometimes underestimate this species because of its size, assuming these birds don't need the interaction the larger birds do. This is far from true; Budgies enjoy the company of humans and other Budgies and will not thrive without it.
These sweet little birds are great whistlers and singers and can be taught to speak or sing particular songs.
Unfortunately, Budgies are often thought of as "starter" birds and given to children as pets. While they make great companions for children and adults alike, they should never be thought of as less valuable than the larger species. Children should always be supervised when around these (and all) birds, and adults should always be in charge of the day-to-day care of the pet.
The Caique (pronounced kye-EEK) is considered a medium-size bird, that has an average lifespan of around 30 years.
Caiques are playful, energetic, and trusting birds. They love to play and are very active. They enjoy being handled and are good with children (with supervision). These intelligent and entertaining birds are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings.
Caiques are somewhat quieter than the large parrots but they can still be noisy, particularly in the morning or when calling for their mate.
This popular bird comes in a variety of mutations. (To see all the Cockatiel mutations, go to http://www.avianweb.com/cockatielmutations.html.) Cockatiels are considered small birds, with an average lifespan of 15-20 years.
Cockatiels are so popular because they are calm, friendly birds who enjoy hanging out with their human companions. They are social birds, who also do well with other Cockatiels for company. They can sometimes be bullied by other species, though, such as Lovebirds or even Budgies. Therefore, care should be taken when introducing them to other birds. (This is generally true of all species.)
Cockatiels are great whistlers and very good at mimicking sounds. Some can be trained to speak, although they are better known for other sound-making. They are not prone to screaming as some species are; still, they can be quite loud when calling to their human "mate." The males tend to be more vocal, while the females are generally quieter.
Cockatiels are similar to Budgies in that people sometimes think of them as "starter" birds. As with all pets, these little birds require interaction with their human companions, as well as attention to routine care. Children should always be supervised when around these (and all) birds, and adults should always be in charge of the day-to-day care of the pet.
Something to keep in mind regarding Cockatiels is that they are one of the "dusty" species. They produce a very fine, powdery dander that resembles dust and can aggravate someone with allergies. Regular bathing and misting can help keep dust at bay.
There are several species of Cockatoo. (To see all the species, go to http://www.avianweb.com/cockatoospecies.html.) Their sizes can vary by species but most would qualify as large birds. The Goffin's Cockatoo would be a medium size. The Cockatoo's lifespan is similar to that of a human.
Cockatoos are a very complex bird – highly intelligent, entertaining, affectionate, playful, and very demanding. A desire for a cuddly bird who can sing and dance like the one you saw on YouTube are not legitimate reasons for obtaining a Cockatoo. These birds require even more time and energy than other species.
Cockatoos can be very affectionate and playful, but they need consistent interaction, exercise, and training to keep them from becoming bored. A bored or frustrated Cockatoo can easily become a self-mutilating or aggressive bird. At the same time, one who is allowed to always get his or her way can become spoiled, leading to excessive screaming and biting. This is a strong-willed species that requires positive training along with play.
In addition to lots of time and attention, Cockatoos need plenty of destructible toys. These birds are known for chewing, but that isn't a problem as long as they always have access to varied wooden, paper, and cardboard toys.
While not as adept at speech as the African Grey, Cockatoos can learn to speak and to mimic sounds. They can definitely be screamers, although that varies by individuals. They have an extremely loud voice, so just as a Conure would make a poor apartment dweller, so too would a Cockatoo.
Cockatoos are one of the "dusty" species. They produce a very fine, powdery dander that resembles dust and can aggravate some allergies. Regular bathing and misting may help with the problem.
This is a bird that would definitely do best with an experienced bird handler.
There are two main Conure genera, the Aratinga and the Pyrrhura. Within these two types are quite a few Conure species, although only a handful are common. (To see all the species, go to http://www.avianweb.com/conuresspecies.htm.) Conure sizes vary by species, but they are still considered small birds. The average lifespan of the Conure is 15 to 20 years.
Personality traits can differ from species to species, but generally speaking, Conures are smart, social, active birds, who like to play. They need plenty of toys to keep them busy and interaction with their human companions or other Conures. They love to burrow underneath things, like towels or blankets, and are generally a cuddly bird. They also usually appreciate being where the action is.
Though a small bird Conures are quite the chewers, so they definitely need a safe and practical outlet for this potentially destructive habit. They love wood and other chewable toys, and they seem to especially enjoy shredding paper and cardboard. It isn't hard to find suitable objects for them to chew.
Conures can usually be taught to speak some, although they are not known for their speech abilities. People often think that because Conures are small they will be quieter than the large birds. This is definitely not true. They have a tendency to scream at certain times of the day, or when alerting the household to potential danger, or for no discernible reason at all. Their scream is loud and harsh and should preclude anyone living in an apartment from considering one. (Some species in the Pyrrhura genus are quieter, but most of the common species are in the more vocal Artinga group.)
There are a number of Dove types (to see all the types, go to http://www.avianweb.com/doves.htm), although we usually see the white Ringneck Dove most often kept as pets. The average lifespan is around 15 years.
Doves are very different from parrots in behavior, diet, and physical characteristics. Similar to the finches, doves are physically incapable of biting or screaming. To many people's minds these differences alone make them more enjoyable. On the other hand, doves are usually not as interactive with their human companions as parrots are.
Doves generally do not play with toys the way parrots do. They are inquisitive birds and will explore new things, but usually in a quest for nesting material and not as a means of enjoyment. They spend a great deal of time preening themselves and one another.
In addition to the familiar cooing, doves have a peculiar "laugh," that resembles demented cackling. It will take you by surprise the first time you hear it. While incapable of screaming their cooing can be repetitive and insistent when attempting to impress a potential mate.