Different Species of Parrot
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To help you find out more about the many different types of Parrot, we've provided this useful tool to allow you to see the different characteristics of certain species, as well as providing some facts about each.
Simply click on the relevant graphic below to see that parrot's information.
african grey
macaw
conjure
ORIGIN: With their name, it’s by no surprise that in the wild they are found in Africa. However, most African Greys are now captive bred in the UK and are often just called ‘Greys’.
About them: They are medium sized birds, weighing about 400g. It is difficult to tell males and females apart as both sexes appear similar, with predominantly grey plumage, red tail and undertail feathers. At approximately 33cm long and with an average wingspan of 46-52cm, they should not be confused with their smaller cousins the Timneh Grey.
In the wild, African Greys need 12 hours activity and daylight, with 12 hours resting and sleeping time. As a pet, this should be replicated in the home, with a ‘quiet’ room for the bird cage so they can get their required rest time. If you cannot provided enough natural sunlight, a UV lamp can be used as an alternative.
At night you should cover their cage over with a blanket to help damp down outside noise and also to ensure that it is dark enough.
Bird SnapshotSmall to medium sized parrots but with big personalities, they range in size from 20-45cm in length. As a pet they are often very affectionate and playful. Some can be taught to speak, all of them can be very loud! They tend to be noisy and outgoing, so they’ll keep your home full of life. Their fondness of cuddling shows off their softer, affectionate side and they make for a great family pet.Diet
- A suitable mix for Parrots would provide them with plenty of shapes, sizes and textures to keep them stimulated. Seed should make up a maximum of about 30-50% of their total diet.
- For a balanced, varied diet, freshly chopped fruit and vegetables should be fed alongside so they get all the essential nutrients they need.
- Monitor the amount of sunflowers you give your Parrot, as they can become addicted to them which can lead to obesity problems.
Top tips for African Greys
- The less time they’re back in the cage the better. Close all the windows just to make sure they don’t go on an adventure.
- African Grey’s tend to be kept alone but can be kept in pairs. If you do get two together, be sure to have two water bowls and two feeding dishes.
- Clever creatures that can easily become bored. A great way to prevent this is to offer toys. Changing them regularly will keep them more entertaining.
- Greet me when you first come home.
- As a more sensitive Parrot, in the wild they like to be able to hide and retreat. Hanging toys in front of perches is a great way to give them a hiding place.
ORIGIN: Central, South America and Mexico.
About them: They are medium sized birds, weighing about 400g. It is difficult to tell males and females apart as both sexes appear similar, with predominantly grey plumage, red tail and undertail feathers. At approximately 33cm long and with an average wingspan of 46-52cm, they should not be confused with their smaller cousins the Timneh Grey.
There are nineteen known species of Macaws, some of which are now extinct, but all are considered endangered in the wild. All Macaws have characteristically large beaks and long tails, and their facial feather patterns tend to be unique, like a finger print.
The largest species is the Hyacinth, with a wing span of over 1.25 meters and a length of about a metre. They are also a hefty bird, weighing in at about 1.5kgs!
The smallest of the Macaws is the Red Shouldered Macaw. These are similar in size to a Parakeet being only about 30cm in length and about 130g in weight.
Bird SnapshotMischievous and fun, they love to spend their time playing and making lots of noise. With an intelligent mind, they’re great at learning new tricks and behaviours but remain kind natured and loving. However these birds are often large with very powerful beaks, so good research before you get a Macaw is essential to make sure they are the right bird for you.Diet
- Choose a blend with a variety of shapes, sizes and textures of seeds, fruits and nuts to provide stimulation and enjoyment to your Parrot. Supplementing the diet with a range of nuts such as palm nuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews and pecan nuts will provide your Macaw with something to use their powerful beaks on and give them an enjoyable challenge of breaking into them.
- For a balanced, varied diet, freshly chopped fruit and vegetables should be fed alongside so they get all the essential nutrients they need.
- Beware not to feed too many sunflowers, as many Parrots can become addicted to them, with their high oil content they can lead to weight issues.
Top tips for Macaws
- The less time they’re back in the cage the better. Close all the windows just to make sure they don’t go on an adventure.
- In the wild Macaws live in flocks, therefore it is possible to keep more than one Macaw together, though it will be easier if they have been raised together as they’re territorial over their environment and owner.
- Macaws are clever creatures that can easily become bored. A great way to prevent this is to offer them toys, changing them regularly will keep them more entertaining. Keep some outside the cage too. Also, try feeding them in clever ways that makes them work for their food.
- Training from an early age is essential for good behaviour. Positive reinforcement is a great way to promote good behaviour.
- Macaws can be destructive as their beaks are so powerful, enclosures built from metal or brick are much more suitable.
ORIGIN: South America
About them: They are often called the clowns of the parrot world due to their constant attention seeking behaviour which can include hanging upside-down and swaying back and forth or "dancing."
They are really small birds with very long tails and small but very strong beaks, which means their bite can be quite painful.
Their beaks have a small cere and are usually horn-coloured (grey) or black.
In the wild they live in flocks of 20 or more birds and as they often eat grain, are treated as agricultural pests in some places.
A blue-crowned Conure was the star of the family movie Paulie!
Bird SnapshotSmall to medium sized parrots but with big personalities, they range in size from 20-45cm in length. As a pet they are often very affectionate and playful. Some can be taught to speak, all of them can be very loud! They tend to be noisy and outgoing, so they’ll keep your home full of life. Their fondness of cuddling shows off their softer, affectionate side and they make for a great family pet.Diet
- A suitable mix for Parrots would provide them with plenty of shapes, sizes and textures to keep them stimulated. Seed should make up a maximum of about 30-50% of their total diet.
- For a balanced, varied diet, freshly chopped fruit and vegetables should be fed alongside so they get all the essential nutrients they need.
- Monitor the amount of sunflowers you give your Parrot, as they can become addicted to them which can lead to obesity problems.
Top tips for Conjures
- The less time they’re back in the cage the better. Close all the windows just to make sure they don’t go on an adventure.
- They can be successfully kept as singles or in pairs, if they bond when young. If you do have a pair, they’re more likely to be less interactive with you as they’ll keep each other company, good if you can’t provide lots of attention.
- Conures are clever creatures that can easily become bored. A great way to prevent this is to offer toys, changing them regularly will keep them more entertaining. Keep some outside the cage too.
- They tend to form strong bonds with one individual and can become over protective.