Leisure and Hobbies

You took one look at that big, fluffy cockatoo and knew you had to have one of your own. Those chocolate brown eyes sparkling with intelligence and the way the bird cuddled up to its owner have convinced you that cockatoos are the only bird for you.

Conures are the charmers of the bird world. These gregarious, spunky little parrots are small enough to fit easily into most households and large enough to satisfy the desire of someone wanting to own a real parrot.

If you want a parrot that can talk, you may want to consider the African grey. This extremely intelligent parrot species is the best talker in the parrot family.

If you are going to be owning a bird for the first time, you may want to take a close look at the cockatiel. This family friendly bird is the perfect choice for beginners, since it is easy to care for and adaptable.

One of the biggest and brightest parrots is the macaw. The largest macaws are so big that their beaks are longer than a man’s hand. These vibrant, powerful birds are not a good choice for the beginning bird fancier.

There are nine lovebird species available, including the peachfaced, Fischer’s, masked, Abyssinian, Nyasa, black-cheeked, redfaced, black-collared and Madagascar lovebird.

If you have never owned a bird before, you may want to take a look at the parakeet. This little bird can be found in almost any pet store at a very reasonable price, which makes it a great choice for someone with a tight budget who is looking for a pet.

So, you want a parrot, but you’re concerned about all of the stories you’ve heard about aggressive, moody birds. Isn’t there a mild mannered, quiet parrot out there? Well, while each bird is an individual, overall the Pionus parrot is a sweet natured bird.

If you live in a warm climate, you may have noticed a big flock of noisy gray and green parrots flying about. These birds are Quaker parrots, a popular pet for many bird lovers.

If you want a bird that is playful, affectionate and colorful, you may want to take a close look at the Senegal parrot.