How to read these: the experience level is about what the bird needs, not how much you care. A first-time owner with a budgie and a proper flight cage gives a far better life than an experienced owner with a cockatoo they do not have time for. Adoption is worth asking about for every species on this page — an adult bird’s temperament is already known.
Good first birds
Manageable noise, reasonable size and forgiving temperaments — provided you give them daily flight, company and a proper diet. None of these is a low-maintenance pet.
Budgie
Melopsittacus undulatus
The best first parrot here — if you give it flight, company and real food.
Read the care guide →
Cockatiel
Nymphicus hollandicus
Gentle, whistling and forgiving. Watch for night frights and feather dust.
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Green-Cheek Conure
Pyrrhura molinae
Conure charm at flat-friendly volume. Nips through adolescence.
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Peach-faced Lovebird
Agapornis roseicollis
Tiny, bold and territorial. Never house with other species.
Read the care guide →
Senegal Parrot
Poicephalus senegalus
Quiet enough for a flat, but it will pick one person if you let it.
Read the care guide →For experienced owners
You should already be able to read parrot body language, handle a hormonal season, and absorb serious noise before taking one of these on.
African Grey
Psittacus erithacus
Brilliant and sensitive. Needs routine, foraging and decades of your attention.
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Blue-fronted Amazon
Amazona aestiva
A superb talker with a seasonal temper. Keeping him lean is the whole job.
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Indian Ringneck
Psittacula krameri
Elegant and independent. Everything rests on surviving the bluffing stage.
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Sun Conure
Aratinga solstitialis
Spectacular colour, spectacular volume. Detached homes only.
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Jenday Conure
Aratinga jandaya
Affectionate and vivid — and clearly audible several houses away.
Read the care guide →
Galah
Eolophus roseicapilla
Playful and athletic, prone to obesity, and may well outlive you.
Read the care guide →
Goffin's Cockatoo
Cacatua goffiniana
A feathered engineer. Opens latches, solves puzzles, and needs constant work.
Read the care guide →Expert only
Aviary-scale housing, a detached property and a written succession plan. These are the birds most often surrendered — please consider adopting one that already needs a home.
Blue-and-gold Macaw
Ara ararauna
Magnificent and enormous. Aviary-scale housing and a voice that carries a kilometre.
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Umbrella Cockatoo
Cacatua alba
Cuddly at six months, overwhelming at six years.
Read the care guide →
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cacatua galerita
Bold, loud and destructive. Seventy years of aviary-scale commitment.
Read the care guide →
Moluccan Cockatoo
Cacatua moluccensis
The most demanding parrot on this page. Please consider adoption first.
Read the care guide →No species match that filter. Choose All species to see everything.