Pet Birds
Pet bird species compared — talking ability, noise level, lifespan, cage requirements, diet and how much daily attention each one needs.
12 entries
African Grey Parrot
The most intelligent bird you will ever share your home with — and the most demanding.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 1 lb (0.4–0.6 kg)
- Lifespan
- 40–60 years
Budgerigar (Budgie)
Small, bright and full of personality — the perfect introduction to bird ownership.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 0.9–1.4 oz (25–40 g)
- Lifespan
- 5–15 years
Cockatiel
Whistling, crested and genuinely affectionate — the best first parrot there is.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 2.8–4.2 oz (80–120 g)
- Lifespan
- 15–25 years
Lovebird
Tiny, vivid and ferociously bonded — a small parrot with an outsized personality.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 1.4–2.1 oz (40–60 g)
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
Green-Cheeked Conure
Big parrot personality at a volume a flat can survive.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 2.1–2.8 oz (60–80 g)
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
Eclectus Parrot
The parrot where males and females look like different species — and eat like it too.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 1 lb (0.4–0.6 kg)
- Lifespan
- 30–50 years
Canary
A songbird to listen to rather than handle — quiet, undemanding and centuries in the making.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 0.5–1.1 oz (15–30 g)
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
Zebra Finch
Busy, chattering and best kept in company — a flock bird, never a solo pet.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 0.4–0.6 oz (10–16 g)
- Lifespan
- 5–9 years
Quaker Parrot
A small parrot with an enormous vocabulary and a habit of building things.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.2–4.9 oz (90–140 g)
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
Sun Conure
A blaze of yellow and orange with a voice to match.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 3.5–4.6 oz (100–130 g)
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
Indian Ringneck Parakeet
An elegant, intelligent parrot and an exceptional talker.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 4.1–4.9 oz (115–140 g)
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
Senegal Parrot
A compact, quiet African parrot with a big personality.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 4.2–6 oz (120–170 g)
- Lifespan
- 25–35 years