Complete Picture Guide to Pet Parrot Species, Common Breeds at a Glance

There are many species of parrots, with diverse forms and brilliant plumage, including the noble and elegant hyacinth macaw, the all-white cockatoo with a yellow crown, the talkative Amazon parrot, the colorful rainbow lorikeet, the small sunflower-like cockatiel, the compact and delicate budgerigar and lovebird, etc. Now let us take a look at the complete picture guide to pet parrot species!

Budgerigar

The budgerigar is a bird of the order Psittaciformes, family Psittacidae, also known as the shell parakeet. It is a small climbing bird species native to the inland regions of Australia. Wild budgerigars inhabit woodlands, grasslands and other places. They live in flocks and feed on plant seeds. The breeding season is from June to January. They nest in tree holes, laying 4 to 8 eggs per clutch, with an incubation period of 18 days. They are lively in temperament and easy to tame, and are one of the most common pet birds in China.

Macaw

Macaws are native to the tropical regions of the Americas and are among the most beautifully colored and largest parrots, with a total of 6 genera and 17 species. They have zygodactyl feet, with 4 toes on each foot, 2 facing forward and 2 backward. The tail is extremely long, and they are large climbing birds. Their native habitat is forests, especially the rainforests of Mexico and Central and South America. Their diet consists of many fruits and flowers, and they have a large appetite. Their powerful beak can crack open nuts, and they use their blunt tongue to extract the flesh. They build nests in trees along riverbanks and in cliff caves. They are relatively easy to train and can get along amicably with other species of parrots, but they may also bite other animals and strangers. Their lifespan can reach up to 70 to 80 years.

Lovebird

Lovebirds are also known as parakeets, love birds, etc. They are birds of the order Psittaciformes, family Psittacidae. There are currently 9 species in China, and they are relatively precious captive-bred birds. Common species include the Fischer's lovebird (brown-headed lovebird), the yellow-collared black lovebird (black-headed lovebird), the golden-red peach lovebird (peach-faced yellow lovebird), the small cherry lovebird (peach-faced green lovebird), and the blue lovebird, etc.

Cockatiel

The cockatiel, also known as the weero, is often called the cockatiel in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, China. It is one of the most common medium-sized parrots in the world. Wild populations originate from Australia. Due to high breeding numbers, cockatiels are quite common. Hand-raised young birds are very lively and love to be close to their owners. There are many color mutations, with the more common ones being gray, white, and pearl. The total number worldwide exceeds 1 million, and the population continues to grow, with the flock being very stable and safe.

Monk Parakeet

The monk parakeet is a typical climbing bird, with a strong and powerful beak that is curved and hooked, a movable joint in the upper mandible, and a cere at the base of the beak. The tongue is thick and muscular. The feet are short, strong and powerful, zygodactyl, with two toes facing forward and two backward, suitable for grasping and climbing. Females are 10 to 20% smaller than males. The upper body is bright green, the forehead and chest are light gray, and the abdomen is pale greenish-yellow. They are altricial chicks. They mainly inhabit dry open woodlands below 1000 m in altitude, tropical savannas with thorny scrub and cacti, palm groves, agricultural cultivation areas and other regions. Their food includes the seeds, buds and flowers of various grasses, trees and other plants, as well as fruits and berries, and occasionally insects.