5 Lesser Known Bird Species That Make Great Pets
If you're the type of person that like to walk "on the wild side" then it's no wonder that you are interested in parrots and other pet birds -- and it's even more fitting that you would be interested in less common birds that are more unique than the most popular pet bird species. Check out the information below to discover some of the neatest and best kept secrets of the bird world. You might just find your perfect feathered friend nested in the links listed here!
The beautiful Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is one of the smaller Cockatoo species, coming in at between 12 and 15 inches in length from beak to tail. Don't let their diminutive size fool you, though -- these birds pack a ton of personality into their little bodies! Also known as the Galah Cockatoo or Galah Parrot, the Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is adorned with bright pink feathers on their heads and chests, accented by soft gray plumage on their wings and backs. Known to be very affectionate, these eye-catching birds make wonderful, loving pets for those who have ample time to spend playing and socializing with them, as they bond very strongly to their owners and can be quite demanding of their favorite person's free time.
While not as easily recognized as a Macaw or an Amazon, the bold and striking Eclectus Parrot is quickly gaining popularity among bird owners around the world. This interesting species is dimorphic, with males displaying brilliant green feathers and females sporting colorful red and purple plumage. A rather large bird, the Eclectus can grow to be up to 20 inches in length, and live for over 60 years when well cared for in captivity. Highly intelligent birds, the Eclectus parrots do best with experienced parrot owners who can spend plenty of time interacting with them.
Known to be highly entertaining and comical pets, the Caiques are an excellent choice for those who would like a medium-sized parrot with all the personality of their larger cousins. Often described as "feisty", the Caique is an active bird who needs plenty of toys and exercise to stay healthy and mentally stimulated. Many Caique owners report that the hardest part about their jobs caring for their birds is keeping the little guys occupied, so they may be a good choice for creative bird lovers who are always in the mood to play.
The beautifully feathered Crimson Rosella is a medium sized parrot species that until recently was labeled by many as an "ornamental" bird, unsuitable for taming. Thankfully, there are a handful of breeders and bird lovers out there who saw great potential in these little beauties and set out to prove the stigma wrong, showing the world that Crimson Rosellas can in fact make very loving pets when raised properly and given consistent training. While they have been reported to go through a bluffing phase during their adolescence, there are now many tame and beloved pet Crimson Rosellas around the world.
One of the lesser-known asiatic parakeet species, the Moustached Parakeet is a bird of many colors that is always a sight to behold. Medium sized at around 15 inches in length, the Moustached Parakeet displays a veritable rainbow within it's plumage, flashing hues of green, yellow, blue, black, pink, and turquoise. They are highly intelligent and social birds who form strong bonds with their owners and tend to demand quite a bit from their human caretakers in terms of attention. For this reason, Moustached Parakeets are often recommended only for more experienced bird owners who have plenty of free time on their hands.
•Rose-Breasted Cockatoos
The beautiful Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is one of the smaller Cockatoo species, coming in at between 12 and 15 inches in length from beak to tail. Don't let their diminutive size fool you, though -- these birds pack a ton of personality into their little bodies! Also known as the Galah Cockatoo or Galah Parrot, the Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is adorned with bright pink feathers on their heads and chests, accented by soft gray plumage on their wings and backs. Known to be very affectionate, these eye-catching birds make wonderful, loving pets for those who have ample time to spend playing and socializing with them, as they bond very strongly to their owners and can be quite demanding of their favorite person's free time.
•Eclectus Parrots
While not as easily recognized as a Macaw or an Amazon, the bold and striking Eclectus Parrot is quickly gaining popularity among bird owners around the world. This interesting species is dimorphic, with males displaying brilliant green feathers and females sporting colorful red and purple plumage. A rather large bird, the Eclectus can grow to be up to 20 inches in length, and live for over 60 years when well cared for in captivity. Highly intelligent birds, the Eclectus parrots do best with experienced parrot owners who can spend plenty of time interacting with them.
•Caiques
Known to be highly entertaining and comical pets, the Caiques are an excellent choice for those who would like a medium-sized parrot with all the personality of their larger cousins. Often described as "feisty", the Caique is an active bird who needs plenty of toys and exercise to stay healthy and mentally stimulated. Many Caique owners report that the hardest part about their jobs caring for their birds is keeping the little guys occupied, so they may be a good choice for creative bird lovers who are always in the mood to play.
•Crimson Rosellas
The beautifully feathered Crimson Rosella is a medium sized parrot species that until recently was labeled by many as an "ornamental" bird, unsuitable for taming. Thankfully, there are a handful of breeders and bird lovers out there who saw great potential in these little beauties and set out to prove the stigma wrong, showing the world that Crimson Rosellas can in fact make very loving pets when raised properly and given consistent training. While they have been reported to go through a bluffing phase during their adolescence, there are now many tame and beloved pet Crimson Rosellas around the world.
•Moustached Parakeets
One of the lesser-known asiatic parakeet species, the Moustached Parakeet is a bird of many colors that is always a sight to behold. Medium sized at around 15 inches in length, the Moustached Parakeet displays a veritable rainbow within it's plumage, flashing hues of green, yellow, blue, black, pink, and turquoise. They are highly intelligent and social birds who form strong bonds with their owners and tend to demand quite a bit from their human caretakers in terms of attention. For this reason, Moustached Parakeets are often recommended only for more experienced bird owners who have plenty of free time on their hands.
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