Because parrots are bright, interesting, and full of personality, they make excellent pets. However, they may also be high-maintenance, socially demanding, dirty, and aggressive. As a result, you must select a parrot that is suitable for beginners.
Small, sociable, and easy-to-train parrots are ideal for beginners. Budgerigars, cockatiels, parrotlets, and several conure species are low-maintenance and enjoyable to handle. Senegal parrots, Pionus parrots, quaker parrots, and white-fronted Amazons are all friendly birds with a good sense of humor, too. Lovebirds form strong bonds with their owners.
There is no such thing as a “low-maintenance” or “easy-to-care-for” pet parrot. Regardless of how big or tiny a breed is, it will demand a substantial amount of time. Even though most starting parrots are little, they produce a lot of trash. All parrots are messy eaters that spill and hurl their food all over the place.
Food will frequently accumulate in water trays, which you must clean at least once a day. The water may need to be changed multiple times a day, depending on how many parrots you have. Parrots shed their feathers. Molting is the process of replacing old, worn-out feathers with new, healthy ones. Parrots molt twice a year on average. It will be typical to find discarded feathers all over the cage and the rest of the house.
The good news is that some parrots can be trained to use the toilet. It just takes a few days to teach them to deposit their droppings in a specific spot. This will assist in reducing the natural mess that comes with raising parrots. With all these in mind, read on as we select the 10 best parrots suitable for beginners like you.
Budgerigars
Colorful plumage and big flocks distinguish these little parrots known as budgerigars. They are quite gregarious and, when handled and educated properly, are very pleasant and loving. Budgies are known for their ability to learn a large vocabulary.
They adore practicing vocalizations with their owners. Many people choose to buy numerous budgies at once because of their inexpensive cost. For their sociable nature and propensity of dwelling in big groups, this is ideal. A happy, healthy budgie will continually sing, babble, chirp, and shriek, since these birds are energetic and boisterous. An ill budgie, either physically or emotionally, is a silent budgie.
Budgies, despite their little stature, may be demanding to the point of becoming bossy. They will strive to rule over you and other birds who share their territory. They are, nevertheless, highly lively and like being in the company of people.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are extroverted, affectionate, and sociable birds. Males get moody when they don’t get the attention they seek, so females are typically kinder.
These medium-sized birds are naturally lively and get along well with their owners. They may, however, give you the cold shoulder for the first few days while they adjust to their new surroundings. They need at least 2 hours of fun every day outside of their cage. To feel at ease, they should be given a big cage with a variety of perches and toys.
Cockatiels are not particularly vocal by nature, preferring to whistle instead, but they are exceptionally good at learning and obeying directions. That’s great news for potential owners because teaching and playing together will be a lot of fun.
The crest of a cockatiel is an unusual feature. It’s not only lovely, but it’ll also assist you to comprehend the parrot’s mood. It might be agitated or terrified if its crest is flattened. A high and spread-open crest, on the other hand, may indicate that the bird is engaged, fascinated, or attentive.
Green-cheeked Conures
The care of this medium-sized parrot is a little more difficult than that of budgies and cockatiels. Conures are perfect for individuals who want a larger parrot but don’t want to cope with the stress that macaws and cockatoos do. Green-cheeked conures have become increasingly popular in recent years. Their warm nature and rather calm demeanors account for this.
Conures learn tricks and a few words rapidly and like playing with their owners. Because they are not always one-person birds, they operate well in family households. Several members of the family may spend valuable time with these priceless, sensitive creatures.
Conures are not violent, although they have a reputation for being irritable. If they are not properly taught, they will bite. That is why, especially when your parrot is young, it is critical to be consistent and devoted.
These parrots are noted for their acrobatics and jumps from perches, and they are said to be highly humorous and lively. They, like cockatiels, require a lot of area to move about in. They like playing with shredding toys as well as spending time with you or near you. Green-cheeked conures like snuggling up to their humans. Make sure they aren’t squished between sofa cushions or headboards.
Senegal Parrots
Handling and playing with Senegal parrots is a pleasurable experience for these pets. This makes them an excellent pet for people who want one-on-one engagement. They are naturally timid parrots who like to be alone and dislike crowds or family members. They make wonderful life companions, as they may live up to 50 years.
Senegal parrots, despite their small size, require a spacious cage to walk about in. Make careful you get something that won’t let the birds out, since they may be pretty cunning. They are extremely sensitive to their environment and will react poorly to abrupt changes in décor.
When it comes to noise levels, apartment dwellers will be relieved to find that Senegal parrots are among the quietest. They don’t scream or talk excessively. Instead, they love sometimes whistling, so listening to you is a terrific way to connect with them. While you watch TV or read, a Senegal parrot will happily sit on your shoulder. They may be pretty acrobatic when it’s time to play.
Parrotlets
These spunky and petite parrots have plenty of personality. Parrotlets will enchant everyone who takes the time to get to know them. This is because they require 3 to 4 hours of attention and playtime with their owners daily to be psychologically fit. They are quite energetic and, if properly educated, like being handled all day.
Pay attention to their indications and body language to make sure they’re in the mood to play. If they are overworked or anxious, parrotlets have been known to bite.
Even though not all of them are major talkers, some of them learn to speak by picking up a few words and phrases here and there. Just don’t expect parrotlets to be quiet parrots. Parrotlets will chatter and chirp like all parrots, but they aren’t certain to speak.
This species makes excellent friends. If you just maintain one bird, they will form a strong attachment with you. However, if you purchase two, they will form a stronger bond.
They get along well with other birds, but they should be kept in separate cages. The personality of parrotlets is described as “feisty.” Despite their diminutive stature, they aren’t afraid to be bossy (just like budgies).
Quaker Parrots (Monk Parakeets)
You might be excused for thinking a monk parrot is sick the first time you see one. But don’t be fooled by the incessant head bobbing and shaking. This strange behavior is entirely natural and healthy.
Aside from their questionable mannerisms, monk parrots are standard fare among parrots. They enjoy making noise. Many of them can sing or whistle, and some even have a large vocabulary. These parrots are rather vocal, so anyone hoping for a serene and quiet companion should look elsewhere (but this applies to any parrot, really).
It’s critical to investigate the legal status of this parrot in your nation or state, as it hails from South America. Because of their fast reproduction, they are considered agricultural pests in several areas. This isn’t even taking into account their predatory behavior toward other birds.
If you decide to acquire a male and female, keep in mind that they usually deposit 5 to 12 eggs at a time. This can happen up to six times a year, with a 24-day hatch period. Quaker parrots are a terrific choice for breeding, but they may be overbearing if you want to keep your colony modest.
Peach-Faced Lovebirds
The majority of people believe lovebirds must be maintained in pairs. When maintained as a single bird, though, they thrive. Lovebirds, despite their name, may be extremely snappy unless they’ve been tamed. Your initial days with the parrot should be spent educating them to be well-behaved and comfortable in your presence.
Lovebirds “marry for life” when maintained in couples. As a result, you’ll undoubtedly feel a little left out. You won’t have as much if any, one-on-one time with them.
Peach-faced lovebirds, like green-cheeked conures, are very active and have fascinating and funny dispositions. They demand a greater level of dedication and attention than the other parrots on this list.
Lovebirds aren’t particularly chatty, although there will be lots of chatting and whistling. This is especially true in the mornings when the lovebirds are very noisy. As a result, the species is better suited to homes with plenty of space, where neighbors may not be able to hear or be bothered by noise levels.
Keep in mind, though, that lovebirds can be violent to other pets. They should be housed in a separate cage from any future birds you may obtain. This is especially true with budgies, as fights between the two are common. To avoid any unfortunate situations, cats and dogs should be properly guarded near lovebirds. These little birds aren’t scared to get into a brawl.
White-fronted Amazon Parrots
Amazon parrots are one of the most well-known species on the planet, and there are many different types. They are intelligent and medium-sized parrots. They are excellent talkers, like singing, and one of their favorite pastimes is shrieking. When Amazons are not given enough enrichment, they develop serious behavioral issues.
Not all Amazons are suitable for beginners because of their difficult character. White-fronted Amazons come to the rescue in this situation. This species is the tiniest of all Amazons, being just around 10 inches tall. Other Amazons are known to play rough and wrestle their owners with their beaks, thus these creatures are considerably kinder. White-fronted breeds, on the other hand, are quite sociable and like being petted.
White-fronted Amazons can be trained despite their ability to bite. So long as you put in the time and effort, their modest size lends itself nicely to handling from devoted novices. You’ll need to learn about the requirements, behavior, and body language of the parrot. When playing with you, Amazons, for example, may experience “play overflow,” in which they become too thrilled and carried away. If this happens, avoid scolding the parrot. Instead, return it to its cage for some relaxing time.
Amazons have a distinct edge in that their body language is clear and expressive. The way they feel will be communicated by their pinning eyes, ruffled feathers, posture, and vocalizations. If you live in an apartment with near neighbors, be aware that white-fronted Amazons may be rather noisy. They learn a lot of words and phrases, and they may imitate you or their environment, just like the rest of the Amazons. You haven’t experienced eerie until you hear an Amazon impersonating an alarm clock.
The purchase and upkeep of these parrots may be rather pricey. They do, however, make wonderful life partners, with lifespans of around 40 years. Because all Amazons are prone to obesity, it will be critical to maintain them while consuming a balanced and nutritious diet. This is particularly hazardous to birds.
Sun Conures
Conures appear on the list once more, this time in the shape of the magnificently colored sun conure. The active personality and loving conduct of these birds distinguish them. They are easily trainable, which is beneficial in controlling their dictatorial dispositions.
They’re cuddly and fun, and they don’t mind being handled by different members of your family as long as they’re treated correctly. They aren’t usually solitary birds.
Because sun conures are particularly noisy, noise levels in smaller flats might be a concern. When they’re having a wonderful time, nothing makes them happier than yelling. Their contact calls are deafeningly loud, but they’ll be tailored to your specific needs. Conures can also be trained to imitate you and other home items.
Because these parrots require a lot of open room, make sure you choose a big enough cage. The minimum size is 20 x 20 x 36. Sun conures are inquisitive creatures who like investigating their environment. As a result, parrot-proofing your house is critical.
Pionus Parrots
These lesser-known birds aren’t as well-known as their more flashy counterparts. However, the hue of Pionus parrots varies greatly from one bird to the next, thus no two are alike. Many bird keepers prefer to raise them because of their lack of recognition. Because there aren’t many people who own Pionus parrots, they have an enigmatic allure.
They resemble Amazon parrots in appearance, but they are considerably quieter and reclusive. They’re renowned for being aloof and distant, but they’re also laid-back and don’t tend to be confrontational. They are not one-person birds, so they may be handled by several family members.
When handling a parrot, however, youngsters should always be supervised. Those beaks have the potential to do a lot of damage. A warning hissing sound is made by Pionus parrots when they are anxious or terrified.
Pionus parrots are not particularly chatty birds. Their voices are gravelly or raspy, yet they can learn a lot of words and phrases. The surroundings will determine how quiet or loud your bird is. Pionus parrots respond to loud stimuli in their environment by making even louder noises. You can’t go wrong with a Pionus as a pet parrot to accompany you in your tranquil apartment life.
Conclusion
New owners should select a parrot that is compatible with their way of life. More enrichment and social time will be required for Amazon parrots. Budgies or cockatiels, on the other hand, will survive with only a few hours of fun as long as they have access to the outside of their cage. The strongest ties are formed by lovebirds, although they do require additional training. Because it’s calm, gentle, and easy to care for, a quaker parrot could be the best choice for you.
For beginners, smaller parrots are advised. This isn’t because they’re low-maintenance birds; rather, they provide fewer obstacles and have shorter lifespans. Smaller parrots, such as budgies, can live for 5-8 years, whereas medium and big parrots can live for up to 40 years.
Quaker parrots, on the other hand, are often regarded as the finest choice for beginners. They’re fast to pick up new skills and build deep attachments to their owners. Because they are among the most intelligent parrots, they are very easy to train. It’s easy to compare them to three- or four-year-olds.
Any of these options will be a perfect match once you’re ready to commit to having a parrot. Just keep an eye on the noise levels, size, and social requirements.