species name:  Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata

Species name: Forpus coelestis

About: Parrotlets originate in Peru and Equador. They are the smallest known breed of parrots, and also known as pocket parrots. There are several color mutations of Pacific parrotlets now available although they are very expensive compared to normal green birds. Currently, there are blue, cobalt blue, yellow (both American and European varieties), fallow, lutino, albino, white (also American and European), olive or dark factor green and blue-fallow (blue with red eyes). However, their colouring doesn’t affect their personalities.

personality: Although these guys are tiny, they have the personality of a large macaw. As they say, good things come in small packages. Even if you get a hand-fed and weaned parrotlet, they are likely to be quite feisty. However they are very friendly playful birds who will form a strong bond with their owner. These animals are perfect appartment pets because they are one of the few parrot species that do not know how to scream. They have a very soft voice and some don’t make a peep! However parrotlets can get jealous and aggressive around other birds (though they will decide whether they will be jealous to you or to the other birds) so if you get a parrotlet it’s reccomended to not get a pair, unless you plan on breeding them.

Diet requirements: Being very active, parrotlets need lots of food for their small size. They eat more than lovebirds or cockatiels. Parrotlets can eat a good-quality small hookbill or cockatiel seed mix with sunflower or a pellet diet instead of seeds. However if they are on a pellet diet make sure to feed them seeds a few times a week. Daily soft foods are also essential — cooked grains, chopped veggies, leafy greens, sprouted grains, whole-grain breads, fruits, etc. are all highly recommended. 

cage size: Again, although parrotlets are tiny and CAN get by in one of the smaller cages, but I would reccomend a cage which is 24” long 16” high, and 14” deep.

talking ability: Some parrotlets will never learn to talk, while others chatter away. It depends on the individual.

experience requirements: low-medium

time requirements: Parrotlets don’t bond to the person who feeds them but the person who spends more time with them. Daily interaction is key (half an hour a day should do) but the more the better!

price range: the price has a massive range varying on the colour mutations, but the common green parrotlet costs anything between $75-300. The more rare parrotlets (green rumped) can cost up to $800 or more!

Species Name: Aratinga Solstitialis Solstitialis

About: As juveniles their coloring is a muted olive green, which serves as a defense mechanism in the wild.  When they mature, at approximately one year old, their coloring is a brilliant rainbow of yellow, red, orange, blue and green and are often considered the most beautiful of the Conures. Native to northeastern south america, so Brazil to Venezuela.

Personality: Sun Conures are attention-loving birds who make an excellent, playful partner when given the socialisation they need. When their needs are not met, they will let you know with a loud, piercing shriek and will often develop behavior problems (such as destructive behavior) if not socialised enough. They like to be held and cuddled and enjoy the attention of other birds. They are very intelligent and easy to train.

Diet Requirements: Grains, breads and cereals should make up about half of your Sun Conure’s diet. Fresh vegetables should be 45% of your bird’s diet and the last bit should be fresh fruits. It is important to offer your conure fresh water several times a day, too.

Cage Size: 

Species name: Cacatua Alba

About: Also known as the White or the Great White crested Cockatoo. Their name is often shortened to U2 (U for Umbrella and 2 for cockaTOO). These birds are native to Indonesia. They can live up to 70 years in captivity with proper care and attention.

Personality: These cockatoos are well known amongst bird lovers for being some of the most outgoing, affable, cuddly birds out there. Sadly, this means that they thrive off attention. If you do not have at least 1 or 2 hours a day to spend giving your U2 unconditional love and attention, you will have an unhappy bird. They are in constant need of mental stimulation, as they are highly intelligent birds. 

Diet Requirements: Umbrella cockatoos, like all cockatoos, are very prone to weight gain and fatty tumours. Keeping them on a low-fat diet is vital to their health. Being big eaters, cockatoos should be kept on a dier of high quality extruded pellets, supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables, and the occasional nuts or seeds every day. 

Minimum cage size: 3 ft. x 2.5 ft. x 3 ft. high.

Talking ability: fair, but they prefer to dance!

Experience required: medium to high

Time required: lots and lots.

Price: from a breeder, $200-700. But keep in mind that these birds destroy their toys and are in need of a constant supply. It is easy to spend up to $60 a month on toys.

Species name: Poicefalus Robustus (or Leivallant’s parrot)

About: A tree dwelling species endemic to South Africa, they have recently been split into 2 sub-species. The Brown Necked parrot (fuscicollis) and the Grey-headed parrot (sauhelicus). The males can be distinguished from the female because females have a reddish patch above their eyes (in the image the female is on the right and the male on the left)

Personality: Often referred to as green cockatoos for their sweet, snuggly personality, cape parrots are known to be gentle giants. Don’t let the size of these guys’ beaks put you off, because as long as you keep your bird happy and tame you are less than likely to get bitten. 

Diet Requirements: Many people think that it is difficult to keep a Cape Parrot because of their specialised diet. However it is easy to keep a Cape Parrot healthy off a diet of high quality organic pellets and plenty of nuts.

Minimum Cage Size: Capes need rather a lot of space, at least  4’ x 4’ x 4’ or 3’ x 3’ x 6’ for cage size

Talking Ability: very high, similar to that of an african grey

Experience requirements: Medium-high

Time Required: at least half an hour a day covers the bare minimum time an owner should spend with a cape parrot, but the more time you spend with your bird the better!

Price Range: $1200-$1900, but same as with cockatoos these parrots love to chew up their toys and you will spend a good amount of money on those. High quality bird feed also costs a fair lot.

Species name: Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar)

About: One of the most common pets for their low price and high availability. These birds, native to australia, are outstanding as beginner birds because of how sturdy they are. They also have a longer life expectancy than mammals of the same size. Naturally green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings, breeders have created a rainbow of blues, whites, and yellows, greys, and even forms with small crests. Budgies divide into 2 subspecies, the American budgie and the English budgie. The American budgies are the ones sold in pet stores, and the English budgie is the one usually seen in shows. 

Personality: These birds, despite their low cost and unimpressive looks, are very playful and highly trainable! Often people disregard budgies because they assume that these little birds can’t learn tricks, but you’d be amazed at the amount of tricks and words a budgie can learn. However they are not big cuddlers and prefer not to be handled a huge amount.

Diet requirements: A balanced diet is key here. Seeds should make up a large part of their nutrition but it is also a good idea to feed them pellets because then they won’t be able to pick their favorite and leave out other, equally nutritious seeds. Sprouted seeds are an excellent addition to the diet, however avocados are poison for budgies. 

Minimum cage size: Budgies don’t need a lot of space, but a bare minimum would be 18x18x20 inches tall

talking ability: excellent

experience required: none

time required: a few minutes a day to change their water, plus whatever time you as an owner are willing to invest in them. They love to be let out of their cage. 

Price: $10 to $60

Species name: erithacus erithacus (Congo Grey) and  erithacus timneh (Timneh Grey)

Species Name: Ara chloroptera

About: Another gentle giant, greenwing macaws are huge. 40 inches from beak to tip of the tail! These birds originate in South America (mainly mexico) and are amongst the most commonly known sorts of macaws due to their characteristic colouring. Think well before getting a macaw, for these guys can live for about 50-70 years! They are the second largest type of macaw, after the Hyacinth.

Personality: Although not quiiiite as cuddly as cockatoos, greenwing macaws are the perfect parrot if you are looking for an affectionate companion. Greenwings in particular are well known for their sweet disposition and high responsiveness to training, if given adequate attention and bonding time. They have very social natures. Despite their huge wingspan (also 40 inches) they are less active than other large parrots. This does not mean they won’t need their 2-3 hours of play-time a day though! They are good family pets due to their social nature (in the wild their flocks are usually 6-8 parrots strong) but it is not reccomended to leave them unsupervised with small children. 

Diet Requirements: These impressive birds should be offered high quality pellets along with daily servings of fresh, bird-safe fruits and vegetables.

Cage Size: 2x2x3 ft would do but the larger the better.

experience requirements: medium-high

talking ability: can be good, however some macaws will never learn to talk.

Time Requirements: 2-3 hours a day of supervised play are important, but it is ok for you to busy yourself with other things while your macaw is out of the cage.

price range: $1200-1600, but plenty of bird-safe wooden toys are required for your macaw to chew on.