Parrots are wonderful, colourful birds that are found mostly in tropical regions as well as sub-tropical areas. They are known as Psittacines. These birds are from the order Psittaciformesand are then divided into three families, viz. Psittacoidea, Cacatuoidea and also Strigopoidea. Parrots are extremely colourful birds with feathers that can be long or short. Some of them are multicoloured too. There are many different types of parrots that are classified according to their size. They are intelligent birds who have the ability to speak. There has been a danger to their population due to poaching, but strict laws are now in place to save these birds.
What is a Parrot, and What is its Family Name and Scientific Names?
A parrot is a colorful bird with vivid colored feathers. They belong to the Psittaciformes family, and their scientific name is psittacines. The parrots are usually divided into 3 subcategories. You will also find the types based on their sizes. So you will have small, medium, large and extra large parrots.
Types of Parrots and Their Names:
Parrots are colourful birds that have a strong and curved bill, strong legs and claws. The birds have colourful feathers that can be single or multi. They eat mainly seeds, nuts, buds, and fruits. And they make their nests in the hollow of trees and lay eggs that are white in colour. They hatch their young, who are normally helpless little ones.
Small Size:
They are about 10-20cms in height.
- Budgies: These are about 10 – 15 cm in height. They are also known as parakeets. Perfect talkers, they can learn to speak well and also do a lot of tricks. Their lifespan is about 7 to 15 years when kept in captivity.
- Lovebirds: These African beauties are also some of the most popular choices. There are several varieties of these parrots with vivid colour feathers. Parrots are great pets who learn tricks. Their lifespan is about 15 to 25 years.
- Parrotlets: This is the smallest species of parrots and one of the cutest. These species need exercise as well as socialisation. They do learn tricks and are perfect partners. These types of parrots live up to 30 years.
Medium Size:
They are about 23-33cms in height.
- Conures: These beautiful parrots are 10-15inches tall and are perfect medium size birds. They are loud birds, so it can be bothered for some people in your apartment. They are intelligent and can speak.
- Quaker Parrots: Quaker parrots are about 12 inches in height and need a good size cage to keep them in. They are loud too but great companions.
- Asiatic Parakeets: Here are some great parrots that are medium-sized and perfect companions. They can learn to talk and do tricks as well.
Large Size:
They are about 33-50cms in height.
- Blue and Gold Macaws: Here are some of the most popular large parrots that you can find. They are intelligent birds doing tricks and learning to speak. They like to socialise too.
- Amazon Parrots: If you are looking for talking parrots, then this is the best choice. They are lovely birds which are great at socialising.
- Cockatoos: The Cockatoos are large size parrots that range in size of about 15-20 inches. These are affectionate birds but are also quite high on maintenance.
Extra Large:
They are about 55-100 cm in height.
- Palm Cockatoo: These are the goliath of parrots and are usually black or grey in color. They have a black beak and red cheek patch.
- Alexandrine Parrot: Here are some beautiful parrots that are playful and can do tricks. They live for about 30 years.
- Macaw: These are really very beautiful parrots with bright coloured feathers that are long and graceful. They are social birds and make great companions. The Hyacinth Macaw is on the longest parrots.
List of Top 15 Parrot Types:
1. Rainbow Lorikeet:
These are beautiful parrots that you would love to see in the wild as well as keep as pets. The colours of the feathers are bright and bold.
- Colour: Multicolored
- Size: 26cm
- Popular Name: Rainbow lorikeet
- Habitat: lowlands
- What They Eat: Nectar, fruit, seeds
- Native Place: Australia
- Life Span: 15-20 years
- Behaviour: social, playful
2. Rose-Ringed Parakeet:
These bright green parrots are common to India and other African places too. They are noisy and chirpy.
- Colour: Green
- Size: 40cm
- Popular Name: Ring-necked parakeet
- Habitat: woodlands
- What They Eat: seeds, grass, fruits, nuts
- Native Place: Africa/Asia
- Life Span: 15-20 years
- Behaviour: social, talkative
See More: Types of Kabootar in India
3. African Grey Parrots:
Here are some special parrot breeds that you will find interesting. These birds are common in areas of rainforests.
- Colour: Grey
- Size: 33cm
- Popular Name: Congo African grey parrot /Timneh African grey parrot
- Habitat: rainforests
- What They Eat: seeds, nuts, fruits, berries
- Native Place: Africa
- Life Span: 40-50 years
- Behaviour: Intelligent and social
4. Blue and Yellow Macaw:
The blue and yellow macaws are parrot species that you will love to see. The bright colours are perfect creations.
- Colour: Blue and yellow
- Size: 86cm
- Popular Name: Golden blue macaw
- Habitat: wooded areas
- What They Eat: fruits, nuts
- Native Place: South American
- Life Span: 30-35 years
- Behaviour: noisy and stay in pairs
5. Budgerigar:
Here are some small parrot varieties that are cute to look at. They are perfect home companions.
- Colour: green
- Size: 18cm
- Popular Name: Budgie/ Shell parakeet
- Habitat: arid and semi-arid regions
- What They Eat: seeds
- Native Place: Australia
- Life Span: 5-8 years
- Behaviour: smart birds, social birds
6. Caique:
This stunning kind of parrot is a sight to see. The bird has distinctive features.
- Colour: Multi
- Size: 23cm
- Popular Name: Black-headed/ White-bellied parrot
- Habitat: tropical forest, savanna
- What They Eat: seeds, flowers, leaves
- Native Place: Brazil
- Life span: 40 years
- Behaviour: loud, present in small groups
7. Eclectus:
These are striking parrots that are loud and playful.
- Colour: Red and blue
- Size: 35cm
- Popular Name: Eclectus parrot
- Habitat: forest, savanna, mangrove
- What They Eat: fruits, berries, nuts
- Native Place: Solomon Islands, Sumba, New Guinea, North-Eastern Australia
- Life Span: 25-30 years
- Behaviour: loud, present in pairs, groups or single
8. Amazon Parrots:
These small types of parrots are very cute to look at. They are present in flocks of about 12 parrots.
- Colour: Green
- Size: 12 cm
- Popular Name: Amazon parrots
- Habitat: lowland forest
- What They Eat: fruits, seeds
- Native Place: South America, Mexico, Caribbean
- Life Span: 35-50 years
- Behaviour: social, active
9. Moluccan Cockatoo:
The nice parrot names that are given to the different cockatoo birds have beautiful peach colour feathers.
- Colour: Peach
- Size: 40cm
- Popular Name: Salmon-crested cockatoo
- Habitat: lowland forest
- What They Eat: nuts, seeds, berries
- Native Place: Indonesia
- Life Span: 40-60 years
- Behaviour: shy, in groups
10. Sulfur Cockatoo:
These types of parrots are some stunning birds with distinctive yellow crest. They are great to look at when in pairs.
- Colour: white and yellow
- Size: 50cm
- Popular Name: Sulphur cockatoo
- Habitat: forest, woodlands
- What They Eat: grass, herbs
- Native Place: Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia
- Life span: 30-40 years
- Behaviour: noisy
11. Alexandrine Parakeet:
These are common parrots found in the Indian subcontinent that are easy to spot.
- Colour: Green and red
- Size: 58cm
- Popular Name: Raw parrot
- Habitat: forests and woodlands
- What They Eat: seeds, flowers, nectar
- Native Place: India, Nepal, and Pakistan
- Life Span: 30-40 years
- Behaviour: present in flocks
12. Galah:
The stunning and distinct colours of these parrots are quite spectacular. They are usually present in flocks.
- Colour: Grey, pink and white
- Size: 35cm
- Popular Name: rose-breasted cockatoo, roseate cockatoo
- Habitat: woodland, savanna
- What They Eat: seeds, berries
- Native Place: Australia
- Life span: 40 years
- Behaviour: present in groups
13. Cockatiel:
From all types of parrots, the cockatiel is the most distinctive with the round orange cheek.
- Colour: White with yellow and orange
- Size: 29cm
- Popular Name: cockatiel/ quarrion/ weiro
- Habitat: semi-arid areas
- What They Eat: seeds, flowers
- Native Place: Australia
- Life Span: 15-25 years
- Behaviour: nomadic birds
14. Sun Corn Parrot:
Here are some beautiful parrots that are a sight to behold. The bright colours are striking in the wild.
- Colour: yellow, orange, green
- Size: 30cm
- Popular Name: Sun parakeet/ Sconure
- Habitat: savanna
- What They Eat: fruits, berries
- Native Place: Northeastern South America
- Life Span: 15-25 years
- Behaviour: noisy, seen in large groups
See More: Main Species of Duck in the World
15. Lovebird:
These are the most common pet birds that you will find. The multi-colour feathers are great to look at.
- Colour: Multi
- Size: 13cm
- Popular Name: lovebirds
- Habitat: woodlands
- What they eat: seeds, herbs, berries
- Native Place: Africa, Madagascar
- Life Span: 10-15 years
- Behaviour: very social, loud
List of Best 10 Pet Types of Parrots:
1. Cockatiel:
These are the types of pet parrots that are fond of talking to. The bright colours are just fantastic.
- Colour: White with yellow and orange
- Size: 29cm
- Popular Name: cockatiel/ quarrion/ weiro
- Habitat: semi-arid areas
- What They Eat: seeds, flowers
- Native Place: Australia
- Life Span: 15-25 years
- Behaviour: nomadic birds
2. African Grey Parrots:
Here are some lovely parrots that are very intelligent and so make great pets. You can find them very social too.
- Colour: Grey
- Size: 33cm
- Popular Name: Congo African grey parrot /Timneh African grey parrot
- Habitat: rainforests
- What They Eat: seeds, nuts, fruits, berries
- Native Place: Africa
- Life Span: 40-50 years
- Behaviour: Intelligent and social
3. Budgerigar:
These cute home pets are the best if you want birds that are small in size. They are quite manageable too.
- Colour: green
- Size: 18cm
- Popular Name: Budgie/ Shell parakeet
- Habitat: arid and semi-arid regions
- What They Eat: seeds
- Native Place: Australia
- Life Span: 5-8 years
- Behaviour: smart birds, social birds
4. Moluccan Cockatoo:
The peach colour of these birds is what attracts everyone to them. They are relatively shy but are great home pets.
- Colour: Peach
- Size: 40cm
- Popular Name: Salmon-crested cockatoo
- Habitat: lowland forest
- What They Eat: nuts, seeds, berries
- Native place: Indonesia
- Life span: 40-60 years
- Behaviour: shy, in groups
5. Blue and Yellow Macaw:
Here are some large pets that will need a bigger cage. You will need to take extra care of them.
- Colour: Blue and yellow
- Size: 86cm
- Popular Name: Golden blue macaw
- Habitat: wooded areas
- What They Eat: fruits, nuts
- Native Place: South American
- Life Span: 30-35 years
- Behaviour: noisy and stay in pairs
6. Lovebird:
One of the most common pet birds, these are the cutest there are. They do not talk but are a sight to see.
- Colour: Multi
- Size: 13cm
- Popular Name: lovebirds
- Habitat: woodlands
- What They Eat: seeds, herbs, berries
- Native Place: Africa, Madagascar
- Life Span: 10-15 years
- Behaviour: very social, loud
7. Alexandrine Parakeet:
Choose these common parrots for their chatting and charm. They are great when kept single or even in pairs.
- Colour: Green and red
- Size: 58cm
- Popular Name: Raw parrot
- Habitat: forests and woodlands
- What They Eat: seeds, flowers, nectar
- Native Place: India, Nepal, and Pakistan
- Life Span: 30-40 years
- Behaviour: present in flocks
8. Amazon Parrots:
These cute parrots are ones that kids will love the most. They make good pets are they love to play and learn.
- Colour: Green
- Size: 12 cm
- Popular Name: Amazon parrots
- Habitat: lowland forest
- What They Eat: fruits, seeds
- Native Place: South America, Mexico, Caribbean
- Life Span: 35-50 years
- Behaviour: social, active
See More: Kinds of Eagles
9. Rose Ringed Parakeet:
You can easily find these birds in your local pet store. They are great birds that are perfect home companions.
- Colour: Green
- Size: 40cm
- Popular Name: Ring-necked parakeet
- Habitat: woodlands
- What They Eat: seeds, grass, fruits, nuts
- Native Place: Africa/Asia
- Life Span: 15-20 years
- Behaviour: social, talkative
10. Rainbow Lorikeet:
These birds are the most colourful ones you will find. Do choose them for their playful and social behaviour.
- Colour: Multicolored
- Size: 26cm
- Popular Name: Rainbow lorikeet
- Habitat: lowlands
- What They Eat: Nectar, fruit, seeds
- Naive Place: Australia
- Life Span: 15-20 years
- Behaviour: social, playful
Interesting Facts About Parrots:
Parrots are great-looking birds and also quite intelligent. Here are some really interesting facts about parrots.
- They can imitate the sounds around them. So if you are patient enough, you can teach them different sounds and phrases too.
- They are very intelligent. People have been able to teach parrots many tricks and also teach them.
- Parrots are the only birds that can eat their food with their feet.
- They are pretty strong beaks that can crack open tough nuts and seeds easily and quickly.
- They do mate for life and so are found in pairs.
Parrots are amazing birds that are brilliant and breathtaking to look at. The types of parrots that talk are mostly kept as pets. You find parrot species in India that are beautiful to look at. The different types of parrots in India are of different sizes. You can choose the best parrot for size. Check for your local laws to see if you are allowed to keep parrots as pets or not.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
1. How many parrot species exist on the earth?
Ans: Parrots form almost 393 species that have 92 genera. The main family of Psittaciformes is divided into Psittacoidea, Cacatuoidea, and Strigodoidea. Altogether 393 species are found all over the world in varied habitats like woodland, forests, savanna, lowlands, arid regions, semi-arid regions, etc. All these beautiful parrots can also be found in captivity.
2. What is the biggest parrot in the world?
Ans: The Hyacinth Macaw is the biggest parrot in the world. It is about 3.3 ft or 100 cm in length from the tip of the tail to the head. It can weigh about 1.7kg or 3.7lb. Each of its wings spans 420mm. This beautiful bird is one of the most sought after. The majestic blue color of the bird adds to its charm.
3. What is the smallest parrot in the world?
Ans: The buff-faced pygmy parrot is the smallest parrot in the world. It is just 3.1inch or 8cm long. These parrots are found in the wild and should be kept there. They are not known to survive in captivity. So even though the pygmy parrots may look cute, they must not be taken in as a pet.
