Parakeets, Cockatiels, Parrotlets, Conures, Lovebirds, Lorries, Macaws, Amazons, Cockatoos, Caiques and Poicephalus
There are a wide variety of Pet Parrots suitable as companions each having its own charm and concerns. There are a number of factors to consider whether one Parrot species would be suitable to an individual. These are the cost, the level of commitment required, the acceptable noise level in the household, the space available, allowance for mess and destruction, the availability of required food, the level of socialization and the expectations of the owner with regards to the capabilities or characteristics of the Pet Parrot.
Parakeets
A Parakeet is any of a number of small parrots that are often kept as cage birds. Its name literally means “small parrots”. Parakeets come in a large variety of colors including pastel blue, yellow, dark green, violet, solid white and an almost limitless combination of these said colors. They can be found throughout the world but a true Parakeet is native to Southeastern Asia.
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Cockatiels
A Cockatiel is a type of bird that belongs to the parrot group. Its most basic color is gray with both the male and female having gray bodies, beaks and feet. Mature males will have solid yellow heads and black feathers on the underside of their tails while mature females will have more of a grayish head and barred yellow with black feathers on the underside of their tails. However, there are many different color mutations in Cockatiels.
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Parrotlets
A Parrotlet is a bird that belongs to the large family group of parrots. Literally meaning the little parrot, the Parrotlet is very much a true parrot with all the virtues and some of the vices parrots are known for. It measures less than 6 inches in length and make ideal pet birds due to its energy and pleasant disposition.
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Conures
A Conure is one specific type of parrot that is commonly found in most parts of South and Central America. Wild Conures are friendly and peaceful birds that seldom fight with each other while pet Conures are also known for their sweet disposition and playfulness. However, Conures are noisy and almost all have loud voices with the exception of the small Pyrhurra Conures.
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Lovebirds
The bird type commonly referred to as Lovebirds is comprised of a very diverse and colorful group of parrots from Africa. It is so-called because if kept in pairs, the Lovebirds constantly groom each other and sit as close together as possible when sleeping or resting. This species is short and thick-bodied and measures about 5 to 6 inches long from head to tail.
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Macaws
A Macaw is a parrot type that is native to the tropics of the Americas. The smallest Macaws are about the size of pigeons while the largest reach 3 feet or more in length. Macaws are typically brightly colored with large beaks and long tails. They are often referred to as winged rainbows.
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Cockatoos
A Cockatoo belongs to any of several crested parrots native to Australia and Northwestern Asia and the nearby islands. Cockatoos have powerful hooked bills, thick fleshy tongues and short, strong legs which all fit the common description of a parrot. However, they are the only parrots that have crests of long feathers that they can raise or lower.
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Caiques
Caiques are relatively new to the pet trade but are fast making their mark in the world of aviculture. They are gaining their much-deserved popularity with their bright and festive coloring plus their playful and active personalities. They are described as friendly, outgoing and curious with a talking ability that is more than adequate and an entertaining tactic that will never fail to delight its observers. Seemingly, Caiques possess the traits that are considered desirable in a pet parrot.
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Amazons
The Amazon Parrots comes originally from the New World ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean. Most Amazons are predominantly green accented by vivid colors depending on the species. They feed chiefly on nuts and fruits as well as leafy matters when in the wild.
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Poicephalus Parrots
Poicephalus Parrots are small to medium-sized parrots that have robust beak and stocky bodies. They originally came from Africa’s many environments. There are many parrot species belonging to this group including the Senegal Parrot, Brown-headed, Cape/Un-cape, Jardine’s, Meyer’s, Niam-niam, Red-bellied, Ruppell’s and Yellow-faced. The word poicephalus seems to refer to the perplexing head colors of this species that varies with age, sex, subspecies and individual differences.
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