Species of Parrots - Small, Medium and Large!
There are many different species of parrots. There are tiny parrotlets and budgies (parakeets) and very big macaws but all of these are still classified as 'parrots'. This article examines some of the small, medium sized and larger parrot species.
Small parrots are the budgies, cockatiels, parrotlets and lovebirds. These species of parrots are generally less tricky to care for. Cockatiels and budgies are noisy and can live for ten to fifteen years if well taken care of. Cockatiels may live as long as fifteen to twenty five years! These two parrot species live happily alongside each other. Lovebirds are a different matter entirely! Lovebirds should be housed on their own where possible. They live as long as budgies and cockatiels.
Medium species of parrots are the conures, African greys, psittacula, poicephalus and pionus species. These parrots will need everything that big parrots need. Conures are very noisy birds when kept in captivity. They are also very boisterous and need plenty of attention and understanding. They live for about 30 to 40 years. African Grey Parrot
s are thought to be the most intelligent parrot species and live from 50 to 60 years old. They are great talkers. The Psittacula family are independent birds, so they are less affectionate and pionus are quiet birds.
The large species of parrots are the cockatoos, Amazons, macaws. Cockatoos are pretty challenging birds. They see their owners as their mates and tend to be quite possessive -often developing separation anxiety in the process. They are also very loud birds. They are very intelligent and need attentive owners. Macaws tend to make difficult pets. They scream, bite, chew and these are all normal behaviors! They can be very playful and cuddly but the wrong owner could see them locked away just to gain some sort of control.
Amazon parrots are also very popular as pets. They do tend to act out during breeding season when their hormones may make them very aggressive. On the plus side they are good species of parrots for talking and love to clown around or cuddle.
