Birds make fantastic pets, bringing vibrant colors, cheerful songs, and interactive personalities into your living space. If you’re exploring the types of pet birds that thrive as companions, this guide covers the top choices loved by owners worldwide. These friendly, intelligent species can learn tricks, mimic sounds, and even chat with proper care. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced bird enthusiast, selecting the right bird matches your lifestyle, space, and time commitment. Always source from reputable breeders or stores to ensure healthy, socialized birds—our vets recommend this for long-term success.
For those seeking the friendliest birds, options like parakeets top the list due to their affectionate nature.
Parakeets (Budgies or Budgerigars)
Parakeets stand out as one of the most beloved types of pet birds, prized for their friendly demeanor and ease of care. These small companions bond quickly with owners, especially males, making them ideal for first-timers. With training, they pick up phrases and perform tricks, turning your home into a symphony of chirps and chatter. Active and playful, parakeets flourish in pairs once established, providing entertainment even when you’re out.
Species Info
Weight: 1 ounce
Length: 6 to 8 inches
Lifespan: 7-15 years with proper care
Physical Characteristics: Vibrant colors like neon green, yellow, blue, and violet, with black bars on head, wings, and back.
Colorful parakeet perched on a branch showing varied feather patterns
Cockatiels
Among popular types of pet birds, cockatiels shine for their emotional expressiveness, using their signature crest to signal moods—from excitement (raised high) to fear (flattened). They’re mimics of household sounds like phones or whistles, with males often whistling compliments to favorites. Females offer gentle companionship. As parrot family members, they demand social time and large cages with perches to avoid loneliness; pairs work best for busy owners.
Species Info
Weight: 3 ounces
Length: 12-13 inches
Physical Characteristics: Gray body with orange ear spots, yellow head (males), or gray (females), plus white accents.
Lifespan: 15-20 years, up to 30 in ideal conditions.
Cockatiel displaying its raised crest and yellow head markings
Doves
Doves appeal to owners with hectic schedules among types of pet birds, as they’re low-demand yet affectionate when handled. Their soothing coos create a peaceful vibe, perfect for families with older kids learning gentle care. Social by nature, they need flight time and vast cages to hop between perches, since climbing isn’t their forte.
Species Info
Weight: 5-8 ounces
Length: 11-13 inches
Physical Characteristics: Brown/gray feathers, black eyes, beak, and neck collar; variants in orange, white, or pied.
Lifespan: 8-15 years.
Gentle dove with brown feathers and black neck collar on a perch
Canaries
Canaries, with over 200 breeds, offer variety in looks and song among types of pet birds. Shy at first, they bond over time but prefer minimal handling, thriving in spacious flight cages. Males serenade with beautiful tunes, while females provide quieter company—ideal for beginners wanting low-attention beauty without fragility risks if handled carefully.
Species Info
Weight: Less than 1 ounce
Length: 4-8 inches
Physical Characteristics: Yellow, green, orange, or brown plumage; vibrant and melodious.
Lifespan: 9-10 years, up to 15+.
Bright yellow canary showcasing its singing posture
Hyacinth Macaws
As the largest parrot, hyacinth macaws reward dedicated owners with deep bonds among advanced types of pet birds. Cuddly and social, their blue feathers and smiling faces captivate. They need ample space and handling but offer lifelong loyalty. Before investing, review average parrot pet price to prepare.
Species Info
Weight: 42-51 ounces
Length: 40 inches
Lifespan: 30+ years
Physical Characteristics: Cobalt blue with yellow eye/beak patches, black beak, gray feet.
Majestic hyacinth macaw with striking blue plumage and yellow facial markings
Lovebirds
Tiny yet feisty parrot relatives, lovebirds pack big personalities into small frames as charming types of pet birds. They form strong human bonds singly or in pairs, though they may nip during boundary-testing—better for experienced families without toddlers. Their affection mirrors larger parrots.
Species Info
Weight: 2 ounces
Length: 5-6 inches
Lifespan: 20+ years
Physical Characteristics: Green body, orange head, blue rump, red beak, white eye rings.
Pair of lovebirds displaying green feathers and affectionate bonding
African Grey Parrots
Renowned for genius-level smarts, African greys demand stimulation (4-5 hours daily) but repay with contextual speech and empathy—suited for committed owners among types of pet birds. Use positive reinforcement for training; they’re not for novices.
Species Info
Weight: 15-18 ounces
Length: 13 inches
Lifespan: 30+ years
Physical Characteristics: Gray body, red tail feathers.
African grey parrot perched with gray feathers and vivid red tail
Pionus Parrots
Balanced and independent, pionus parrots enjoy cuddles without clinginess, making them apartment-friendly types of pet birds. Quiet and low-maintenance for their size, they need 3+ hours out daily; great starter parrots.
Species Info
Weight: 8-9 ounces
Length: 11 inches
Lifespan: 30+ years
Physical Characteristics: Blue head, green body, black ear patches, red undertail.
Pionus parrot with blue head and green body on a branch
Green-Cheeked Conures
Mischievous and social, green-cheeked conures bond playfully as quieter types of pet birds. Less vocal than kin, they entertain without much talking, thriving on owner interaction.
Species Info
Weight: 2-3 ounces
Length: 10-11 inches
Physical Characteristics: Green with gray head/breast, blue wings, maroon tail; color variants.
Lifespan: Up to 30 years.
Green-cheeked conure showing green body and maroon tail feathers
Choosing from these types of pet birds depends on your home, time, and experience—parakeets for ease, macaws for grandeur. Prioritize spacious habitats, fresh diets, and vet check-ups for health, drawing from avian expertise like the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). Consult professionals for tailored advice to ensure your feathered friend thrives for years.
Ready to welcome a bird? Explore more pet care tips on our site!
