Are you planning to add a family pet to your home?
9.9 million households in the US have birds, and it’s not surprising because these bright feathery companions can be as entertaining as dogs and cats. However, there are over 18,000 bird species worldwide, so how will you find the best pet birds for families?
Well, we got the solution for you! We compiled ten great family pet birds that’ll add color and fun to your home.
In particular, you’ll discover:
- Family-friendly birds with excellent talking ability that can build a word bank of 500 to 1,000 words
- Tiny songbirds that can produce pale blue eggs
- Vibrant-colored parrots that can delight you with their comical antics and speaking ability
So, without further ado, let’s unveil the list of the top 10 best family birds to own.
10 Best Pet Birds for Families
Here are ten family-friendly birds that are generally docile and will quickly adapt to your family’s environment and color your world.
1. Budgerigars
These brightly-colored little birds from Australia are our top favorite. It’s the best family-friendly parrot since they’re easy to care for, friendly, low-maintenance, and most of all, intelligent.
And when we say intelligent, we mean it because they’re the Guinness world record holder for the largest vocabulary for a bird!
No wonder they’re one of the favorite pet birds in America. These pet birds can talk and build an extensive vocabulary of 500 to 1,000 words.
On top of their impressive talking ability, they also tolerate handling.
So, if you have a little avian aviculturist in your home, these gentle but clever birds are perfect for your home.
They can entertain you with their whistle and learn basic commands with proper training. Budgies can bond strongly with their owners, so they can be your family’s best friends in no time.
So, if you’re not ready for a long-term commitment with a parrot pet but want to experience the joy of having a pretty and clever bird, this is the best family bird to own.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 7 inches |
| Weight: | 1 ounce |
| Lifespan: | 7 to 15 years |
| Temperament: | Docile, friendly, gentle |
| Talking Abilities: | Excellent; They can talk and mimic human speech |
Pros:
- Ideal for tiny homes or apartments
- Less messy compared to larger species
- Affordable and low-maintenance
- Social and affectionate to their owners
- They don’t bite often, and they don’t bite hard
Cons:
- Sometimes skittish and challenging to tame
- Require medical attention
- It can be slightly destructive
2. Finches
These birds are one of the best pet birds for families because they can charm kids with their soothing music. Their soft chips and chatter are fascinating to listen to.
These birds are also low-maintenance and don’t require much interaction with humans.
They can also delight your family with their aerial antics and interaction with their fellow finches.
Furthermore, finches lay pretty pale blue eggs, and they can be great foster parents to other birds despite their size.
However, finches are not hands-on species. Therefore, they don’t like being handled and better stay inside the cage.
Finches prefer to bond with birds of their kind, so if you want a more hands-on experience, Budgies are the better choice.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 5 to 6 inches |
| Weight: | 1/2 ounce |
| Lifespan: | 3 to 15 years |
| Temperament: | Friendly but hands-off |
| Talking Abilities: | They don’t talk |
Pros:
- Excellent foster parents
- Pale blue eggs
- They sing melodiously
Cons:
- Don’t like being handled
- Prone to air-mite infection
- Need spacious cage
3. The Canaries
Did you know that these birds that make good family pets were used in detecting poisonous gases in the coal mines in the 1800s?
Warner Bros’ cartoon character Tweety was also a canary, and thanks to the show, the bird’s popularity skyrocketed.
The canaries are songbirds with vibrant colors and personalities.
But they don’t like to be handled too! They prefer seeing you most of the time but not being touched. So if you want to keep them happy, you must hang them in a cage where they can always see you.
It’s worth noting, though, that only male Canaries can sing. Females can only chirp. But they can still become good pet birds for families.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 3 to 4 inches |
| Weight: | 1 ounce |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 15 years |
| Temperament: | Friendly |
| Talking Abilities: | Can’t speak but can mimic a few notes of music |
Pros:
- Detects poisonous gases
- Bright plumage color
- Pleasing songbirds
Cons:
- Don’t like being handled
- Can be messy
4. Lovebirds
These charming and good family birds are highly social and loving, as their name suggests, and they develop a strong bond with their mate, whether a fellow lovebird or a human.
If you want your bird to bond strongly with you or your family, it’d be better to raise just one. Otherwise, they will ignore you since they’ll interact more with their kind.
But if you’d do that, you have to spend lots of social interaction with them to fulfill their needs and keep them happy.
Lovebirds’ sweet and loving demeanor makes them one of the best pet birds for families. And since they’re generally quiet, so they’re among the best pet parrots for families living in apartments or condos.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 5 to 6 inches |
| Weight: | 2 ounces |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 20 years |
| Temperament: | Friendly and quiet |
| Talking Abilities: | Can’t speak but can mimic a few human words |
Pros:
- Loving and gentle
- Bonds strongly with owners
- Quiet
Cons:
- They don’t like being alone
- Can be biters sometimes
5. Cockatiel
If you want the best bird pet for kids with a large body and talking ability, cockatiels may be the one you’re looking for!
These yellow-crowned birds can learn to talk and entertain your children with whistles and clever tricks. They can even mimic your voice and sounds!
Cockatiels are friendly, docile, and jolly and enjoy being on their owner’s shoulder at all times!
But they need to have at least 1 hour of attention per day.
So, if you plan to these family-friendly birds, you must dedicate time to play and interact with them and clean their cage because they’re a little messier than budgies and finches.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 11 to 12 inches |
| Weight: | 2.5 to 3.5 ounces |
| Lifespan: | 15 to 20 years |
| Temperament: | Friendly |
| Talking Abilities: | Can talk and mimic voice and sounds |
Pros:
- Easy to tame
- Entertaining/comical nature
- Can learn to talk
Cons:
- Messy than budgies and finches
- High-pitched
- Can get feathers everywhere
6. Cockatoo
Cockatoos are white birds with yellow crowns. These pet birds are devoted to their owners and quickly form bonds with them. They may even start plucking out their feathers as a sign of sorrow if they don’t get enough attention and become depressed.
But as long as these birds receive affection for at least an hour or so each day, they will quickly integrate into the family.
They’re lively and affectionate birds that can be cuddly with your family.
They’re curious and intelligent birds who love a well-ordered lifestyle.
And with proper and constant training, cockatoos can learn a few human words, mimic our speech, and be exciting birds for children.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 12 to 28 inches |
| Weight: | 10 to 30 ounces |
| Lifespan: | 20 to 40 years |
| Temperament: | Lively, affectionate |
| Talking Abilities: | Can pick up some human words and phrases |
Pros:
- Lively and entertaining
- Sweet and devoted to owners
- Can learn some words
Cons:
- Needy of attention
- Can demolish furniture and perches
7. Quaker Parakeet
These tiny but colorful parrots are charming and funny. In fact, they’re like little clowns trapped in a bird’s body! What makes them even more interesting is their willingness to learn human speech.
They can entertain your family and pick up some words from your children and you simultaneously.
This breed is famous for beginners, and they’re one of the best family birds you can have as pets.
They’re friendly but bold and outgoing. Quaker Parakeets are loyal to their owners and enjoy cuddling and petting the head.
However, in some states, keeping them as pets is illegal, so you need to check your local laws before getting one.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 11 inches |
| Weight: | 4 to 5 ounces |
| Lifespan: | 20 to 30 years |
| Temperament: | Friendly |
| Talking Abilities: | Can talk and learn some words |
Pros:
- Funny and entertaining
- Loves cuddling and petting
- Can talk and mimic human words
Cons:
- Illegal to keep in some states
- Can be cage territorial
8. Dove
Doves are renowned for having gentle and affectionate personalities, which is why they earned the symbol of peace. The beaks of softbill doves make them less likely to attempt to bite or harm than the hard-beaked hookbill parrots.
That’s why we think they need to be recognized as good family pet birds.
But you must use positive socialization and bonding techniques to keep them calm and not terrify them.
Doves fit older kids who know how to be patient and kind, but doves also need other birds to socialize with and perform best in pairs.
If you want to make your doves happy, you have to fix some mirrors and swings to their enclosure. But doves should also have access to free-flight time so they can interact with their human caregivers.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 11 to 13 inches |
| Weight: | 5 to 8 ounces |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 25 years |
| Temperament: | Sweet and docile |
| Talking Abilities: | Can’t talk |
Pros:
- Gentle and sweet
- Not demanding
- Quiet and calm
Cons:
- Can’t talk
- Needs lots of toys and big cages
9. Conures
Now we’re down to our ninth pick for the best family pet birds.
These vibrant-feathered conures are exotic and prized for their funny and jolly personality and resemblance to large Macaws.
They’re bright and love to play, but they can be noisy and mischievous sometimes. Some conures even cry or scream, so they’re not suitable for quiet households.
Conures have over 100 subspecies, so they’re widely diversified.
They’re highly demanding and need constant attention.
But on the brighter side, conures don’t get attached to just one person, but they’re friendly towards all house members.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 10 to 15 inches |
| Weight: | 3 to 9 ounces |
| Lifespan: | 20 years |
| Temperament: | Comical and jolly |
| Talking Abilities: | Can speak and learn a few words |
Pros:
- Funny and jolly
- Loyal and playful
Cons:
- Highly demanding
- Needs constant attention
10. Parrotlet
Like their larger counterparts, parrotlets have comical dispositions. So, they’re naturally funny and entertaining.
Despite being smaller than Budgies, parrotlets have a longer lifespan, requiring a long-term commitment.
These birds are aggressive but affectionate and willful.
They’re great companions for families, so we end our list of the best family pet birds with this species.
You have to note, though, that these little feathery friends can be moody and noisy at sunrise and sunset. So, it’s best to cover their cage at these times.
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Species Overview |
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| Size: | 7 inches |
| Weight: | 0.6 to 0.99 ounce |
| Lifespan: | 20 years |
| Temperament: | Friendly, affectionate |
| Talking Abilities: | Can’t talk like other parrots |
Pros:
- Funny and entertaining
- Longer lifespan
- Intelligent nature
Cons:
- Noisy at sunset and sunrise
- Can be moody and cranky
Common Questions About The Best Pet Birds for Families
If you are still hesitant about which family pet bird is a great addition to your home, then you’re not alone! People who are first-time pet bird owners have the same questions, and we’ve compiled them along with their possible answers!
What bird makes the best family pet?
To sum it up, the best birds that make a great family pet are:
- Parakeets
- Finches
- Canaries
- Lovebirds
- Cockatiel
- Cockatoos
- Quaker Parakeet
- Conures
- Dove
- Parrotlet
What is the most kid-friendly bird?
The best pets for kids are finches, doves, lovebirds, budgies, cockatiels, quaker parrots, and bantam chicken.
These birds tend to be affectionate and unaggressive, so they’re safe for kids.
What is the easiest bird to keep as a pet?
Parakeets and budgies are the easiest to keep because they’re low-maintenance and tiny. However, they’re talented and possess the ability to talk.
On top of that, they sport a beautiful feathering pattern and a friendly and affectionate demeanor.
What is the best family parrot?
This may vary depending on your preference, but if you’re a first-timer, Budgies and Cockatiels are ideal. However, if you’re an experienced one and want an intelligent bird matched with elegant plumage, African greys may be the one for you.
Are birds good family pets?
Birds make excellent family pets because they adapt well to households with children and will help kids learn the responsibility of owning an animal.
Not to mention their diverse feather patterns, longer lifespan, and potential and talent in talking.
What is the least messy pet bird?
Budgies may poop several times in an hour, but they’re less messy than larger parrots, and they can thrive when cared for properly.
But the cleanest birds to own are doves, finches, and cockatiels.
Best Pet Birds for Families: Final Thoughts
So, that’s a wrap for the best pet birds for families list!
Which of the family-friendly birds above was your top favorite?
Budgerigars are the most popular companion pet bird in America, and it’s not a surprise since these talented birds offer a complete package. They’re intelligent, kid and family-friendly, affectionate, and entertaining.
But cockatiels, cockatoos, and quaker parakeets can also talk.
And finches, conures, doves, lovebirds, and cockatoos are also charming and friendly.
So, it all comes down to your personal preference.
If you’d love to know more above clever birds and you’re ready enough to add one to your family, then check this out.
