PET BIRD SPECIES

Budgerigar

Cockateil

Quaker Parrot

Eclectus Parrot

King Parrot

Princess Parrot

Superb Parrot

Regents Parrot

Small Australian Lorikeets

Amazon

Conures

Macaw

African Grey

African Love Bird

Alexandrian

Indian Ring Neck

Larger Tropical Lorikeets

Black Capped Lory

NON-AUSTRALIAN PARROTS

AUSTRALIAN PARROTS

Parrots As Pets

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

Black Cockatoo

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Gang Gang Cockatoo

Galah

AUSTRALIAN COCKATOOS

South American Parrots

Amazons

The Amazon is a loving and sociable parrot originating from South America. The affectionate and loyal nature of the Amazon make this bird a wonderful pet for those experienced with companion parrots. Amazons are highly intelligent and require a devoted owner who is willing to provide significant and meaningful attention, as well as stimulus such as chewing toys to keep them happy and healthy. Hand reared male birds from aviary bred parents make the best pets. Amazons are generally easily trained and have an excellent talking ability. If not provided with the necessary training and socialisation, the Amazon can become aggressive and susceptible to other behavioural problems.

Conure

Originating from South and Central America, the conure has over 30 different species in the wild. These friendly birds have a cheeky and boisterous nature and make for a very entertaining pet.

Although conures make delightful house pets, prospective owners should be aware of their loud and high pitched voice. Some conures are particularly good escapists and special training is required to set boundaries of acceptable behaviour and promote wanted activities. Conures are extremely intelligent and easy to train. They enjoy learning new tricks and can be very entertaining. They love to dance and can also be taught to go the toilet with a simple command such as "toilet".

Of the conure species, the Sun Conure Aratinga solstitialis is the most desirable because of its particularly friendly and cheeky nature. It has bright yellow plumage, tinged with orange and green. In the wild, Sun Conure flocks frequent the savannahs of southern Surinam. This flock-type social structure makes the Sun Conure a particularly animated bird that communicates through actions rather than words. Sun Conures do however have a high pitched squawk and can be very noisy pets. Continuing obedience training is necessary to prevent this from becoming a problem.

The Jandaya conure is more introverted than the Sun Conure and is a pleasant, loving bird. In the wild they are usually seen in pairs or small flocks frequenting primary rainforest. They form strong bonds with their owner and make very good pets. Jandaya conures are not typically good talkers but love to dance and listen to music.

Other popular conure species include the Blue crowned (one of the quieter species), Dusky, and Nanday.

Macaw

Originating from South America, the macaw is a striking and impressive bird. A large variety of Macaw species are available as pets, ranging from the smaller Macaws such as the Red Shouldered Macaw (30cm in length) and Yellow-Collared Macaw (38cm in length) to the larger Scarlet Macaw (85cm in length). Macaws are very intelligent birds and require an owner who is willing to provide the necessary stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. This includes providing lots of toys on which they can chew. Macaws deprived of such toys often become very destructive, using their large, strong beaks to chew on their cage and other household items.

Macaws have an excellent talking ability, however constant training is also required to prevent this beautiful parrot from becoming excessively loud. The Macaw is a very sociable parrot and will most often develop a strong bond with its owner, making it a wonderful pet for those experienced in the care and training of a companion parrot. As with any parrot species, a hand reared male macaw from aviary bred parents always makes the best pet.

African Parrots

African Grey

Originating from central Africa, the African Grey is a highly intelligent parrot and requires a committed and patient owner. Alongside the Eclectus, these birds are one of the most intelligent parrot species and possess the ability to develop a large vocabulary and communicate efficiently with their owner. Due to their highly intelligent nature, the African Grey can become easily bored and inactivity may quickly lead to behavioural problems such as feather picking. African Greys that are bored have a tendency to chews things and consistent training and a diligent owner are a must for this vivacious bird. These intelligent birds are best suited to people who have experience with pet birds and are familiar with their ongoing care requirements.

African Love Bird

The African Love Bird originates from South Africa and makes a lively and energetic pet bird. They are available in a variety of colours and are playful and often boisterous birds. African Love Birds require an owner that is equally energetic and is willing to provide the care and attention this animated bird adores. Birds that do not receive this attention become prone to behavioural problems, including feather picking.

Aviary Notes

The best breeding results for African Love Birds are achieved when kept in a colony system. A group of five or six pairs requires an aviary a minimum of three metres long and one metre wide. African Love birds may also be bred successfully using the cabinet system, where cabinets no less than 80x50x50cm are recommended. Hens build a substantial nest and will gather twigs and other nest building materials from their surrounds.

Asian Parrots

Alexandrian

The Alexandrian originates from India and is well known for its mimicking abilities. These intelligent birds make good pets for those willing to provide continual obedience training. If neglected or not given the appropriate training, Alexandrians become prone to feather picking and other behavioural problems. The Alexandrian's large and powerful beak has a strong bite and for this reason is not recommended as a pet for children. A larger cage is required for the Alexandrian to accommodate its beautiful, long tapering tail.

Indian Ring Neck Parrot

As the name suggests, the Indian Ring Neck parrot originates from India. These birds are elegant, beautiful and make good pets for those willing to provide ongoing obedience training. If not given sufficient attention, the Indian Ring Neck may become unfriendly and disobedient. In order to maintain their friendly personalities and tameness, regular handling and socialisation are a must for these birds.

The plumage of the Indian Ring Neck is apple green, although mutations in a range of other colours also exist. This includes buttercup yellow and the increasingly popular powder blue.

Lorikeets & Lories

Larger Tropical Lorikeets

The larger lorikeets are highly intelligent and make excellent pets for those seeking a playful and energetic bird. All species are strikingly beautiful with their varied colours and stunning glossy plumage. As with any lorikeet species, they have special dietary requirements, and must be provided with nectar and wet/dry mix.

The larger lorikeets make excellent talkers but can become extremely noisy and require a committed owner who is willing to provide continuing obedience training.

Aviary Notes

The boisterous nature of the larger lorikeet species demands an aviary no less then four to six metres long and one to two metres high. The best breeding results are achieved when the correct housing and nutritional care are provided. Lorikeets particularly like eucalypt branches in the aviary.

Black Capped Lory

The plumage of the Indian Ring Neck is apple green, although mutations in a range of other colours also exist. This includes buttercup yellow and the increasingly popular powder blue.