14 of the Most Popular Companion Birds

In this post, we’ll tell you about raising 14 of the most popular companion birds as pets. 

If you’re thinking about raising birds as pets, you’ve made a smart choice. Birds are beautiful and come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and styles.

The type of bird you choose will depend on your lifestyle and personality. 

Birds are some of the most popular pets in the world. If you’re considering adding one to your family, keep reading to find out some of the best options for you to consider!

How to Find the Best Companion Birds For You

You will want to consider several factors when trying to find the perfect companion bird for your home.

First, what kind of environment can you provide? Some pet birds can live for decades, with some outliving their owners.

You will likely have a pet bird in your home longer than you even have your own children there – so make sure this is a commitment you can reasonably expect yourself to make before you dive in.

How much time do you have to dedicate to your pet? Some of the most popular companion birds as pets require a lot of time and attention.

You’ll also want to consider how much space (and what kind of space) you have available. Even if you live in a large apartment and can offer your bird plenty of room, you have neighbors to consider.

They likely won’t appreciate the screeching of a parrot at two o’clock in the morning. 

Of course, when raising any pet bird, you will want to be vigilant for signs of sickness, like lethargy or feather picking.

They all also require regular maintenance and grooming, such as nail trimming, to stay healthy and happy.

Owning a pet bird is a commitment – and while it’s an enjoyable one, it’s one that you need to take seriously for the sake of your pet.

14 Most Popular Companion Birds as Pets

1. Parakeet 

Also known as budgies, parakeets are some of the most popular pet birds you can choose – they are also some of the friendliest and most affectionate!

They are also known for being easy to train and low maintenance. Many budgie owners even train their birds how to talk and perform other tricks.

Not only that, but parakeets come in a variety of colors. They can be found in shades like blue, violet, yellow, green, white, gray, and any combination of those colors, too.

Though smaller than many other pet bird species, parakeets are playful and require minimal space. Plus, they’ll live for more than a dozen years on average! 

2. African Gray Parrot

One of the most popular of all birds kept as pets, African Grays are also some of the most intelligent.

They are smart and can be demanding pets since they get bored and depressed easily if they aren’t given plenty of intellectual stimulation.

That said, they are also incredibly affectionate. 

You can train your African Gray parrot with various training techniques such as operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.

As you might expect, these birds are typically found in varying shades of gray with red tail feathers.

3. Lovebird

The smallest of the parrot species, love birds, are colorful little specimens with all of the intelligence and personality of larger macaws – but without quite as much work and effort.

Lovebirds are quite birds, perfect for people who live in apartments or other confined settings.

They can live for nearly two decades, too, making them great companions for pet owners who are in it for the long haul! 

4. Cockatoo

Are you looking for a large pet bird that is affectionate and friendly? If so, you may want to consider cockatoos, some of the most popular companion birds, as pets.

These gorgeous creatures bond easily and quickly with their caretakers, making them great choices for people who can often be home with their pets.

Like many other pet bird species on this list, cockatoos are prone to becoming depressed if they aren’t provided with adequate attention.

They can resort to harmful behaviors like feather pulling and chewing if they aren’t given enough attention.

5. Finch

Finches and canaries (a type of finch) are growing increasingly popular with people who want to raise pet birds.

They are small, taking up very little space, as a most measure just five inches or less.

Not only that, but finches thrive in small groups. They require minimal interaction – making them great companions if you aren’t home often or don’t have a ton of spare time.

They are softbills, known for their waxy, pliable beaks.

Plus, with their gorgeous colors of red, white, and yellow, finches are known for having impressive lifespans. Many live up to ten years, provided that they are well cared for.

6. Dove 

Doves are known for being sweet and gentle. Since they are softbill birds, you don’t have to worry about them biting you (or doing much damage at all with their delicate beaks).

These birds are easy to calm and socialize, making the bonding process quick and seamless.

They are great for older children and, when kept indoors, should be given lots of free flight time out of the cage.

You may want to consider including entertainment pieces like swings and mirrors, too. 

7. Cockatiel

The cockatiel is another popular pet bird to consider raising. Native to Australia, cockatiels are best raised as early as possible.

Get your cockatiel when it is a baby and get it used to your presence by hand-feeding it.

It probably won’t learn how to talk, but it’s important to note that cockatiels are still extremely intelligent. They can learn how to whistle, mimic household noises, and perform other tricks. 

Cockatiels make great companions for this reason alone. However, it’s important to note that they also have impressive lifespans, with many living between 15 and 20 years.

8. Parrotlet

Parrotlets are native to the tropical forests of Peru and Ecuador, closely related to the larger Amazon parrot.

These birds are small yet possess similar personalities and intelligence levels to their larger relatives. 

They aren’t often kept in captivity but are growing increasingly popular in this setting. Parrotlets are still somewhat wild as a result, which is why it’s important to handle these birds early, often, and properly.

They are known to become aggressive with other birds, so you should only keep parrots by themselves (there may even be scuffles with other pets, like cats and dogs, if you aren’t careful).

That said, parrotlets are absolutely gorgeous to look at, with mostly green colors and a lifespan of up to 30 years. 

9. Conures

Conures are often regarded as the most popular companion birds as pets.

These elegant creatures can be found in all colors and sizes, from large blue-crowned conures to smaller green-cheeked conures.

They are brilliant, known for their ability to learn tricks. They prefer structure and routine along with plenty of one-on-one interaction time with their owners.

If you decide to raise conures, make sure you buy plenty of enrichment items and toys. When you are away, you may want to turn the radio or television on so that your conure has a bit of background noise.

If you fail to provide the right amount of enrichment and entertainment for your pet bird, don’t worry – your conure will let you know about it!

These birds are known to screech and wail if they don’t get enough attention. They can also bite or be destructive. 

10. Monk Parakeet

Don’t let the name confuse you – the monk parakeet, also known as the quaker, is technically a small parrot and not an actual parakeet.

This bird is famed for its ability to speak in words and phrases – it has quite an impressive vocabulary!

The fun thing about raising the monk parakeet is that the more you explain things and talk to your bird, the larger your monk parakeet’s vocabulary.

This bird offers all of the benefits of raising a parrot while requiring a fraction of the space. At only 11 inches long, this bird is small but can live for 20 to 30 years. 

You’ll find these birds in shades of white, green, or blue, with a gray throat, cheek, and breast that resembles colonial-era Quaker clothing. How fun is that?

11. Amazon Parrots

When you think of the most popular companion birds as pets, there’s a good chance that Amazon parrots come to mind!

These birds are large and friendly, prized for their ability to engage in captivating conversation with their owners.

You’ll find them in a variety of colors, including green, yellow, and orange. They have impressive lifespans, with many living up to 40 or 50 years.

They do require lots of social interaction and can be moody if they don’t get enough attention.

Provide plenty of toys for mental stimulation (puzzles and shredding are great options). 

Amazon parrots are also prone to obesity, so be sure to provide your birds with healthy diets (composed mostly of vegetables and as little fruit as possible) to avoid this. 

12. Pionus Parrots 

If you want a bird whose size is a compromise between the gargantuan Amazon parrot and the diminutive parrotlet, a Pionus parrot is the way to go.

Though this bird is smaller than the African Gray and the Amazon parrot, it is also not quite as noisy – it’s also more easygoing.

A blue-headed beauty, the Pionus parrot is a great companion pet for first-time bird owners.

It can be raised in a more confined environment, like an apartment, and while it still requires plenty of mental stimulation and toys, it’s much easier to care for than many other kinds of parrots. 

13. Hyacinth Macaw 

Perhaps the most beautiful of all the popular companion bird species on this list, Hyacinth macaws are also some of the largest.

They are friendly and sociable, often desiring nothing more than regular cuddle time with their owners.

Because of their size, it can be difficult to provide the right amount of housing for these birds.

However, if you’re able to meet your macaw’s needs, you’ll be rewarded with a lifelong companion.

This bird can be up to 40 inches in length and is covered in lovely royal blue plumage.

14. Hahn’s Macaw 

Last but not least is Hahn’s macaw. Native to South America, this bird is the smallest of all macaws, but it makes up for in personality for what it lacks in size.

This playful, intelligent bird is gentle and loveable, especially when you handle and socialize your bird.

It prefers to spend a ton of time with its caretakers and will become depressed if it feels ignored.

Therefore, if you choose Hahn’s macaw as your next pet, make sure you have the time to devote to it.

Plenty of space is also recommended, as it can be noisy and talkative  – something that’s sure to disrupt your neighbors if you are living in close quarters. 

What Are the Most Popular Companion Birds for Pets?

What are the most popular companion birds? This is a complicated question because there are so many different breeds of birds that can be considered “companion” pets.

Birds are not for everyone, but some popular companion birds consider if you’re a bird lover.

Some of these common pet birds include canaries and parakeets, which make great pets because they don’t require a lot of space or care. 

Parrots also make good pets and are available in many colors and sizes so you can find the perfect match for your family!

Choosing the kind of bird you want to raise can be a difficult decision. You will need to consider many different factors, such as their temperament, health, and lifespan.

Ultimately, finding the best kind of bird will depend on your family’s preferences – and your budget. Consider some of the popular companion bird species above as you get started in your search!

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