Small parrots are as charming as large birds. See which species are friendly and affectionate and best to keep as pets
Small parrots are adorable creatures that make good pets for owners of all ages and experience levels. They typically max out at 13 to 14 Inches (managable size) and are friendly, affectionate, and easier to care for than large parrots.
They rarely develop behavioral issues, such as biting and plucking, and are quieter than your average pet, apart from a few species, like sun and Jenday conures.
These small parrots are perfect for beginners and families with kids and often form strong bonds with more than one family member. Some, like Budgies, Quaker, and Parrotlets, can talk, while others, such as cockatiels, will mimic household sounds with exceptional prowess.
Good small pet parrots🦜 include:
- Budgies (link)
- Cockatiels
- Quakers (Monk Parakeets)
- Lovebirds (link)
- Parrotlets
- Green Cheek Conures (link)
- Bourke’s Parakeet
- Crimson Bellied Conure
- Sun Conure (link)
- Jenday Conure (link)
- Pionus Parrot
- Senegal Parrot (link)
- Lineolated Parakeet
See the rest of this post for more insight.
What Small Parrots Make The Best Pets
Budgies, cockatiels, and Lovebirds are the most popular and best pet parrot species. They are available in most pet stores in different colors and at an affordable rate.
Rarer species, like Bourke’s parakeets, Lineolated parakeets, and Crimson Bellied Conures, also make good small and unique pets, but they all come with unique perks and cons captured in the species profiles below.
1—Budgies
- Name: Parakeet (Budgerigar)
- Colors: Vibrant green body with yellow and black markings, sometimes with blue or white hues
- Size: Approximately 7 inches (18 centimeters) in length from head to tail
- CageSize: Minimum of 18 inches (46 centimeters) in length, width, and height; larger cages are preferred for increased activity and comfort
- Lifespan: 5 to 10 years, with proper care and attention
- Origin: Australia
- Ideal Owner: Ideal for individuals or families seeking a social and interactive pet; suitable for both novice and experienced bird owners; those who can provide daily interaction and mental stimulation
Budgies are small but mighty. They are the most popular small parrots kept as pets, perhaps almost as commonly as cats and dogs. They are friendly, affectionate, and amiable, perfect even for young owners.
Budgerigars are also exceptionally intelligent and able to mimic human speech with the prowess and mastery of larger parrots, such as African Grays. They are loyal and trainable and accept petting from multiple people (not one-person birds).
Budgies are colorful, active, cheerful gems and not as loud as other parrots. They are readily tameable and will hop into your hand and kiss you with minimal training. Budgies will also adore sitting on and chatting from your shoulder.
But remember, different birds, including budgies, will have their individual personality, so the sentiments above may not wholly apply to your parrot. They are only general guidelines.
You are also more likely to have success with a hand-raised, tamed budgie than a wild-caught bird. So, we suggest getting one from a reputable breeder.
* Budgies’ Upside (Pros):
1. Sweet and affectionate (but not the cuddliest)
2. Intelligent
3. They talk (mimic human speech)
4. Quiet than most parrots
5. Active and cheerful
6. Colorful (several color mutations available)
7. Sociable and easygoing (perfect for kids and beginners)
* Budgies’ Downside (Cons):
1. Timid and easily frightened
2. Constant chatter, need some getting used to
3. Very social, best if you have plenty of time to spare
4. Budgies are perceived to be starter birds, resulting in their impulse buying. Many go to people who are uneducated or unwilling to meet their needs
5. Many are not bred irresponsibly
6. Tiny, so they are prone to household accidents
7. Their lifespan is shorter than large parrots but still long, so they are long-term commitment
2—Cockatiels
- Name: Cockatiel
- Colors: Various color mutations including gray, white, yellow, and cinnamon
- Size: Approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in length from head to tail
- Cage Size: Minimum of 20 inches (51 cm) in L, W, and H
- Lifespan: 15 to 20 years, with proper care and attention
- Origin: Australia
- Best Owners: Ideal for individuals or families seeking a sociable and interactive pet; suitable for both novice and experienced bird owners
Tiels are another perfect small pet parrot. They share many similarities with budgies, especially in size and care requirement, but differ in personality and temperament. They are cuddlier but not active like budgies, and prefer to spend most of their time on a play stand or desk, napping and preening, to hopping or playing around.
Cockatiels are also not chatty, like budgies, but they can whistle sweet melodies, especially in the morning, and mimic sounds from household items, such as fire alarms and microwave beeps.
Cockatiels come in several colors, so you get plenty of options, and are friendly and affectionate but can be nippy at times.
A tiel is a perfect pet for beginners and experienced owners and will fit in single-person households or families (even with kids). However, they are dusty, so perhaps consider a different bird if you have allergies.
Cockatiels are also prone to night frights and can kill themselves from being spooked. They are frightened by everything, even their shadows, so keep that in mind.
* Cockatiels’ Upside (Pros)
1. Calm (not overly active like budgies)
2. Cuddly and affectionate
3. Relatively quiet, reserve for their whistling flock calls
4. Reasonably priced
5. Come in several colors
6. Sociable and easygoing (perfect for kids and beginners)
* Cockatiels’ Downside (Cons)
1. Tiels are skittish and easily flightened
2. Dusty (Bad for people with allergies)
3. Can be couch potatoes
4. Do not talk
5. Many are not bred irresponsibly
6. Tiny, so they are prone to household accidents
3—Green Cheek Conures
- Name: Green Cheek Conure
- Colors: Various color mutations including green, turquoise, cinnamon, pineapple, and yellow-sided
- Size: Approximately 10 inches (25 cm) in length from head to tail
- Cage Size: Minimum of 24 inches (61 cm) in length, width, and height
- Lifespan: 25 to 30 years, with proper care and attention
- Origin: South America
- Best Owners: Ideal for individuals or families seeking a sociable and interactive pet; suitable for both novice and experienced bird owners
Green cheek conures are my next choice of good small pet parrots to own. They have active and goofy fits, like budgies, and some calm moments, like cockatiels.
The little goofballs are friendly, affectionate, and loving. They spend plenty of time doing funny antics, like hanging upside down and climbing, although not the cuddliest parrots.
Green cheek conures are relatively quiet, especially compared to their cousins, Suns and Jendays, but this also means they are not chatty. They also don’t whistle or mimic sounds like Tiels.
GCCs are still intelligent like most parrots and will learn endless antics. Sometimes, it almost seems like they are making up for what they lack in speech and mimicry.
These little birds are perfect for different owners. They are fine living with multiple family members but still comfortable in a small household. However, GCCs get occasional fits and have strong bites that can cause injury, so be careful with the birds around kids.
Green cheek conures are also messy and will chew on wooden household items, like door frames and cabinets, given the chance. So, observe your birds closely and birdproof hazardous objects, like power outlets, in your house.
4—Lovebirds
- Name: Lovebird
- Colors: Various color mutations including green, blue, peach-faced, and yellow-collared
- Size: Approximately 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) in length from head to tail
- Cage Size: Minimum of 18 inches (46 cm) in length, width, and height
- Lifespan: 10 to 15 years, with proper care and attention
- Origin: Africa
- Best Owners: Ideal for individuals or families seeking a small, colorful, and active pet; suitable for both novice and experienced bird owners
Lovebirds are less fearful, and new things pique their interest instead of scaring them; r/parrots, Weekly Species Profile, Lovenirds.
Lovebirds are another perfect small parrot for you. They are ideal if you prefer a species with the signature parrot look but are tiny and manageable. Lovebirds are also less skittish than budgies, cockatiels, and GCCs.
However, lovebirds are not active, like budgies, and prefer staying around one area, more like cockatiels. But less like Tiels, lovies will play with anything they find. They are also unusually cuddly, friendly, and sometimes even clingy. For this reason, they may need to be kept in pairs, especially if you don’t have enough time to socialize with your bird (at least 4 to 5 hours a day).
Most lovebirds will let you hold them and adore kisses, but it varies between individual birds, and if the birds prefer their own space, they will politely let you know rather than bite, like other species.
They are not too much to care for, meaning lovebirds can be kept by beginners. However, the birds are not a species for owners who do not have time for them, including kids. They require plenty of attention because (as mentioned) they are deeply affectionate.
Unfortunately, these little colorful birds are not the best talkers but love to make subtle chatters, especially when kept in pairs. Lovebirds are not too loud, so they are perfect for apartment living or owners living in close quaters (e.g hostels and dorms).
Lovies, compared to large parrots, do not have very long lifespans, but they still live for 15 years, so they require dedicated owners willing to commit time, effort, and resources to their pets.
* Lovebirds’ Upside (Pros)
1.Less skittish than budgies and cockatiels
2.Very cuddly and affectionate
3.Relatively quiet
4.Have the signature parrot look albeit tinnier
* Lovebirds’ Downside (Cons)
1. Needy. They require plenty of attention and socialization
2. Not the best talkers
3. May need to be kept in pairs, so double the cost and expenses
4. Not the most active or entertaing small birds. Can be couch potatoes
5. Many are not bred irresponsibly
6. Tiny, so they are prone to household accidents