Pet birds will bring a lot of joy to your household if they’re probably cared for. I wrote an extensive list of all types of pet birds that you can have with their traits and pros and cons.
There was an attempt to order them in difficulty to handle plus popularity. Birds with longer lifespans and that need experienced owners are on a second section below.
A little side note before we start
Any pet is a commitment. Don’t forget to do extensive research before getting a bird. Parrots are not domesticated which means that they do whatever they want and don’t care what you think.
Birds are naturally noisy, and they demand lots of time as they’re social creatures. You do need to spend time with them every day, weekend, week out, all month, all year after year.
Additionally, it’s ideal to adopt rather than to buy a bird from a breeder. There are many animal shelters at high capacities that could be housing your new family member. Also, when you buy birds, you’re indirectly supporting an industry that does extensive trapping of wild parrots for the pet trade and indiscriminate breeding.
Common reasons for bird surrendering are buying from breeders without researching (not realizing they can bite and they’re loud) or because they don’t have time to care for the bird anymore.
It’s good to know that some places don’t accept birds on pet insurance. Bird vet bills can cost a lot of money, in the range of thousands of dollars if your bird needs a CT scan or surgery done. If you can’t afford a vet, definitively don’t get a pet bird.
1 – Budgies
When Budgies are properly tamed and cared for, they can be extraordinarily friendly and affectionate. Given some budgies take well training, there is even a possibility they can learn how to talk and do little fun tricks.
Budgies’ Lifespan
Budgies can live 5-15 years. They usually live around 5-8 years in the wild.
Budgies’ Cost
A Budgie will cost as little as $15-$40 for a standard blue or green variety. However, as we mentioned before, costs with vet bills can be as big. It’s good to keep this in mind before thinking they’re ‘cheap’.
Budgies’ Pros
- Small homes and apartments.
- Good for families with children (not small children, since they’re easily spooked and demand patience) and other pets.
- Produce less mess than larger species.
- Very affordable – Tend to eat less than larger parrots like the African Grey, which means owners will save money on food and other necessities like toys.
- They tend to be very social and bond with their owners.
- They won’t bite as often and they don’t bite hard.
Budgies’ Cons
- Can be skittish and a bit difficult to tame, especially if they were never let out of the cage.
- Can be easily spooked
- They are known to easily get sick and require medical attention. They hide their illnesses pretty well.
- Budgies will produce constant noise and occasionally loud screeches. For instance, you will probably be able to hear them from across the street if the windows are open.
- They need friends, they thrive better when they have regular companionship. Try to bond with that bird for a couple of months before getting another.
2 – Cockatiels
Cockatiels have a famous nickname, “mini cockatoos”. It’s because they have similarities with cockatoos in their behavior, despite their small size. They are second in popularity only to the budgies.
These birds are easier to handle when they’re hand-fed as babies and raised in positive environments. While they don’t normally learn to talk, cockatiels are exceptionally intelligent.
Many learn to whistle quite well. Males are better at singing and whistling while females tend to be quieter.
Cockatiel’s Lifespan
Cockatiels can live 15-20 years or more.
Cockatiels’ cost
Cockatiels prices range from $65 to $300 depending on where you live.
Cockatiels’ Pros
- They are personable, playful, and affectionate birds who like to be held and pet.
- They have a lot of character for a cute “compact package”.
- In a way, they kind of remind us of a dog in their behavior, as they are very loyal and tend to form strong bonds.
- More than one person bird, good for families with kids.
Cockatiels’ Cons
- They require a lot of attention in order to maintain a healthy mental and physical state.
- If you just can’t tolerate screeching, that will be a problem as it will probably scream for attention.
- Like any other parrot, they don’t like being stuck on cages for a very long time and they love flying around.
- Like Cockatoos, Cockatiels have dandruff and that may be bad if you have some allergies.
- They like to chew, so they might get a bit destructive.
3 – Finches
Finches are probably the quieter birds you can have as a pet when compared to parrots. They are not loud (unless you have several of them).
You can get one but really it’s better if you have at least two birds, ideally two females. They will breed fast if you have a couple and fight if you have two males.
Finches’ Lifespan
Finches can live 5 to 10 years.
Finches’ Costs
Finches usually cost around $20-50 dollars.
Finches’ Pros
- There are friendly birds who do not require constant attention.
- They have cute little voices. They sound like a squeaky toy.
- They don’t screech, so they’re quieter when compared to cockatiels.
- They’re not as destructive as bigger species of birds.
- Finches won’t bit you!
Finches’ Cons
- They are hard to tame as they are scaredy and skittish. They will probably be afraid of you, but there is definitively space for bonding if you engage with them for long enough and make them part of your family.
- Some people don’t like the fact they “can’t talk” or “sing”.
- They can be quite messy and need a large thin cage to fly around in. They LOVE flying!
- They’re flock birds, you can’t just get one.
- Finches do get bored, so you need to provide toys and something to distract them
4 – Canaries
If you don’t have much time to spend with a pet bird, a canary might be a good option. They’re happy in their little worlds as long as they get all the enrichment they need.
As they don’t have an inclination to hang out with humans, their taming process can take weeks, months, or forever. You can’t push them to interact with you.
Another fact about canaries is that the males can sing beautiful songs. It’s also important to know that canaries don’t sing if they’re stressed.
Canaries’ Lifespan
The canaries can live up to 15 years if when taken care of.
Canaries’ Costs
The canaries can be bought for around $150.
Canaries’ Pros
- Loners by nature, canaries are content on their own, and are low maintenance.
- Canaries can’t bite you!
- Beautiful singing.
Canaries’ Cons
- The canaries can be surprisingly messy and noisy, despite their small size.
- Not every canary is able to be tamed. They tend to be scaredy.
Pigeons/Doves
The legend of boxing, Mike Tyson, is a big pigeon fancier! And that’s not hard to understand why. They are a great fit for someone who is interested in having a bird but may not be ready to take on the demands of a parrot. Though, they will need attention and toys to play with, as any other bird.
They’re also quiet, not too messy, their bites are completely harmless, and their typical lifespan usually does not exceed 20 years.
People tend to think that all Pigeons and Doves are “dirty”, or rats with wings, which is a common misconception. If they were bred as pets, and get cleared out of parasites, such as mice (like other birds have as well), they are pretty clean and safe to handle.
Pigeons and Doves’ Lifespan
As mentioned, pigeons and doves usually don’t live more than 10-25 years.
Pigeons and Doves’ Costs
They can cost around $20-$100 depending on where you live.
Pigeons and Doves’ Pros
- Pigeons/Doves don’t bite.
- Quieter than other birds.
- Good for families with children.
Pigeons and Doves’ Cons
- Easier to train
- Need out of cage time to fly around and exercise their wings.
5 – Quails
Quails are often not mentioned as often as pet birds, since most of the attention goes to parrots. However, they can be lovely companions.
If you raise them from an incubator and you handle them, they will become tame.
Quails’ Lifespan
Quails can live only 2-6 years.
Quails’ Cost
Depends on the type of quail. The simple Cortunix one can be sold for around $1-$6. Other fancy quail types, such as the Snowflake Bobwhite Quail can cost about $125.
Quail’s Pros
- Free eggs.
- Quails are hardy, they don’t get ill often.
- They don’t need a lot of space, you can keep them on rabbit cages.
- Minimum effort, easy to keep.
- Very quiet when compared to other birds. Whenever they make noise, it’s a quiet soothing tone.
- Quails can’t bite you
Quails’s Cons
- They poop a lot!
- They do need some kind of mental stimulation.
- Some people don’t like the fact they “can’t talk” or “sing”.
- Females need calcium supplement of they take it from their bones to make eggs, which can obviously kill them over time.
- You can’t have more than one male, or they will probably fight.
- They’re very scaredy if you haven’t had the chance to raise them since chicks.
6 – Parrotlets
Parrotlets are cousins to the amazons and are known for having big personalities, despite having the size of lovebirds.
They are known for their feisty and sometimes mischievous characters that demand a ton of attention.
Parrotlet’s Lifespan
Parrotlets can live 5-10 years, but some species, such as the Blue-winged can live up to 25 years.
Parrotlet’s Costs
Parrotlets can cost from $150 to $600.
Parrotlet’s Pros
- Not noisy when compared to Cockatiels or bigger parrots
- Good for families with kids over 10 years old.
- Won’t talk very much, but may be able to learn a few words.
Parrotlet’s Cons
- They can be a bit nippy. Not recommended for families with small children.
Now we’re going into ‘intermediate’ bird difficulty level territory. They require experienced owners.
7 – Pionus
Pionus parrots tend to be admired for their sweet and quiet nature, however, they can get loud if they live in a noisy house.
Pionus’ Lifespan
A Pionus parrot can live 25 to 40 years if properly cared for. 40 years can be a lot of time to care for an animal, be sure to consider this before trying to find a breeder (which is not ethically advisable most of the time.
Pionus’ Cost
Pionus’ prices can vary a lot depending on where you are. They can vary from $500 to $4000.
Pionus’ Pros
- Gentle nature, don’t get moody as often as other birds.
- Tend to bond easily with its owner.
- They can spend time entertaining themselves. Not so dependent on attention as other parrots.
- Lovely musky smell for people that like to sniff birds (it’s not weird, I swear!).
- Beautiful 4 shades of colored feathers to admire.
Pionus’ Cons
- Might not talk at all.
- Male Pionus can get a bit possessive over their favorite person. They need to be properly socialized with all the family.
- Can get nippy sometimes, but that tend to be rare.
- He’s a mid-sized parrot, a bit bigger than other birds listed so far. The bigger the bird the bigger the bite.
8 – Meyer’s Parrot
He’s cousins with the Senegal parrot, but Meyer’s parrots are on the quieter side. They rather watch things from afar instead of being the center of attention. This bird is happy sitting quietly on a perch, destroying a toy.
Meyer’s Parrot Lifespan
They can live up to 25 years.
Meyer’s Parrot Costs
Meyer’s Parrots may cost from $1,000 to $2000.
Meyer’s Parrot Pros
- Quieter than other birds.
- Tend to bond with the entire family (ideally older kids), however they can be one-person birds.
- Very loyal.
- Hardly moody if you’re buddies with them.
Meyer’s Parrot Cons
- Not exactly a cuddly bird. Enjoy head scratches, but will not get obsessed offer pets like a cockatoo would.
- Can be territorial.
- Can be nippy.
- They’re not very talkative.
- Can be destructive.
- He’s a mid-sized parrot, a bit bigger than other birds listed so far. The bigger the bird the bigger the bite.
9 – Green-Cheek Conures
Green cheeks can be little mischief-makers, so keep an eye on your bird at all times. They’re not recommended as beginner birds. There are almost 100 different subspecies of Conures, making them one of the most diverse parrot species.
Green-Cheek Conures’ Lifespan
These birds can live up to 30 years.
Green-Cheek Conures’ Prices
Prices can vary from $200 to $700.
Green-Cheek Conures’ Pros
- They can be snuggly and playful.
- They can learn to do simple tricks.
- Quieter than other parrots.
Green-Cheek Conures’ Cons
- Conures can be quite bitey. Their bites can draw blood.
- They can be hard to train.
- They can be pretty messy.
- May not be as noisy, but can still get loud and may not be well-suited for apartments.
10 – Caiques
Caiques are extremely active and have tons of personalities, a very clownish one to be more specific! They need a fair bit of handling and a little training to maintain a happy household.
They like to feel different textures and like to cuddle.
Caique’s Lifespan
Despite their small size, Caiques can live 20 to 40 years.
Caique’s Costs
Caiques’ prices can range from $1000 to $4000.
Caiques’ Pros
- They’re clown birds, very inquisitive and fun to be around.
- Caiques like to hop and they hop high! It’s absolutelly adorable to see them stomping and jumping around with their little feather pants.
- Because of they playfulness, they are good learners and can learn to do little tricks like flip around.
- Caiques can be social with everyone (as long as they don’t spend all their time with only one person).
Caiques’ Cons
- Painful bites. Caiques strike and attach their beaks to your skin, hanging their entire body weight off of you.
- Very energetic birds, they will need plenty of playtime.
- They desperately need a stimulating environment as they won’t just sit around.
- They can be destructive as they try to spend their energy chewing furniture.
- Because of their high energy, there is a chance they can be improperly reinforced to have overexcited aggressive behaviors.
11 – Senegal Parrots
Senegals are moderately quiet parrots. Their calls are generally high-pitched whistles and squawks along with mimics, but they are not as noisy as many other parrot species.
‘Sennies’, as they are often called, love interacting with people and need socialization.
Senegal Parrot’s Lifespan
Senegals can live from 30 to up to 50 years, being 30 the most common.
Senegal Parrot’s Costs
Senegals can cost around $1500 to $2000.
Senegal Parrot’s Pros
- Quieter than other parrots.
- Easy-going and playful.
- Can be trained to learn tricks.
Senegal Parrot’s Cons
- They can’t talk as well as other parrots, such as Amazons, but they may learn a couple words.
- Have a tendency to become “one person” birds and may not desire interaction with other family members.
- Requires a lot of attention and mental stimulation.
12 – Indian Ringnecks
Indian Ringnecks are very social parrots that need a lot of attention from their owners, as they can get clingy.
Indian Ringnecks’ Lifespan
They can live 15-35 years old.
Indian Ringnecks’ Costs
Indian Ringnecks can cost from $200 to $1,500 depending on the color variation.
Indian Ringnecks’ Pros
- They can talk and their voices are the most adorable when they’re mimicking.
- They enjoy pets and interacting with humans.
- They have beautiful pastel colored feathers.
Indian Ringnecks’ Cons
- They don’t appreciate change, they need a strict routine.
- They can be squidish.
- Indian Ringnecks can be unpredictable and that might need to a lot of bites.
- They can be pretty loud.
- Can also be destructive, you will need to keep bringing in toys for chewing to keep their beaks busy.
13 – Lorikeets
There are about 53 species of Lorikeets, and they all have beautiful multiple-colored feathers. Their color patterns are simply amazing.
To add to that, they are known for being very playful and having talkative personalities. They like shiny things.
Lorikeet’s Lifespan
Lorikeets can live for more than 15-30 years.
Lorikeet’s Costs
Lorikeets can cost from $250 to $700.
Lorikeet’s Pros
- They can be trained.
- They’re normally not very aggressive.
- Lorikeets can talk, but they’re not the best talkers.
- They can be quite affectionate. They tend to “lick” the people they like.
Lorikeet’s Cons
- Very messy poos because they’re in a nectar diet. They’re mostly liquid and can get all over the area where they hang out.
- Lorikeets make a lot of noise most of the time and it can be loud. They just like to scream for fun!
- They can be bitey.
- Hard to pair up with other birds.
14 – Sun Conures
Sun Conures are probably the brightest parrot that exists! Their beautiful saturated yellow feathers are a delight to the eyes. They are popular as pets because of their bright coloration and curious nature.
Unfortunately, almost a million of them are traficated from the Amazon forest every year and they became endangered species.
Sun Conure’s Lifespan
They can live from 15 to 30 years.
Sun Conure’s Cost
Sun conures can cost from $150-$800.
Sun Conure’s Pros
- It is capable of mimicking humans, but not as well as some larger parrots.
- Beautiful vibrant feathers.
Sun Conure’s Cons
- Sun Conures are known for having a really loud screech, probably one of the most ear-piercing screams from all parrots.
- They are determined chewers and require toys, treats to chew on and might be destructive.
15 – Quakers parrots
Quaker parrots are definitively not recommended as beginner birds. They’re a bit “rebellious” and hard to tame. They tend to be territorial and aggressive, especially if people don’t know how to properly raise them. However, they do make lovely pets when they have experienced owners and lots of attention. They also have cute voices.
Quakers’ lifespan
Quaker parrots live from 15 to 30 years.
Quakers’ Costs
Quaker’s parrot costs vary from $300 to $1600. It depends a lot on the breeder and location.
Quaker’s parrot Pros
- Very affectionate birds.
- They can learn tricks.
- Their bites hurt, but not as bad as from the ones from bigger parrots.
Quaker’s parrot Cons
- Quaker parrots can be very territorial and possessive of its favorite person.
- They can be quite aggressive towards anyone that is not its favorite person.
- They can also be quite nippy.
16 – Lovebirds
Unfortunately, Lovebirds are one of the most abandoned birds I see on Craigslist. The most common reason is that Lovebirds can be loud and nippy.
Lovebird’s Lifespan
Lovebirds can live 10-20 years.
Lovebird’s Costs
Lovebird’s prices can vary from $25 to $400. It really depends on where you live.
Lovebird’s Pros
- If they bond well with their owners, they can be very affectionate.
- They are adorable and come in a variety of colors.
- Very social and curious birds.
Lovebird’s Cons
- They need a lot of attention, not ideal for people working 9-5 office jobs.
- They don’t screech often as budgies, but they do, it’s ear piercing level, very loud.
- During nesting times, they can be quite territorial.
- If they do not bond well, they can become aggressive.
- Can be shy and moody.
- Even though they’re small, their bites can be very painful and can draw blood.
Now we’re going into ‘advance’ bird difficulty level territory. They require very experienced owners. These are larger species with very long lifespans that can bite hard.
17 – Mini Macaws
Mini macaws will need lots of interaction from their owner along with plenty of toys and an abundance of space. There are six types of Mini macaws, being the Hahn’s the most popular one.
- Illiger’s Macaws
- Yellow-Collared Macaws
- Hahn’s Macaws
- Severe Macaws
- Red-bellied macaws
- Blue-headed macaws
Mini Macaws’ Lifespan
Mini Macaws can live from 30 to 50 years, even up to 80 year-olds in the Severe Macaws case.
Mini Macaws’ Costs
The prices can vary a lot depending on the species and where you live. Can vary from $650 to $4,000.
Mini Macaws’ Pros
- Hans Macaws speaks very well and sings well, too. And has a very attractive voice.
- Beautiful plumage.
- They can be trained.
Mini Macaws’ Cons
- Very noisy.
- Can cause painful bites.
18 – Amazon Parrots
Amazon parrots comprise a category with a dozen of species. The Yellow-headed Amazon, Yellow-naped Amazon, and Turquoise-fronted Amazon are some of the species which are commonly kept as pets.
Most amazons are predominantly green, with accenting colors that depend on the species, and can be quite vivid. Almost 60% of all Amazon species are endangered in the wild and they’re hard to breed in captivity.
Amazon Parrot’s Lifespan
They can live from 30 to 50 years.
Amazon Parrot’s Cost
Prices for Amazon parrots can range from $400 to $5,000.
Amazon Parrot’s Pros
- They are know for being the best singers and having beautiful voices. They can also learn how to talk very distinctly when compared to other birds.
- Amazons tend to be very social and enjoy interacting with people.
Amazon Parrot’s Cons
- Amazons are known for giving one of the worst bites in the parrot world. Not only they dig deep, as they also twist the skin while bitting. You don’t want to be on they bad side. Period!
- Can screech loudly, but now as bad as Macaws and Cockatoos.
- Become very moodly and bitey in their “teenage” years.
19 – Eclectus
Eclectus are the only parrots that have completely different-looking appearances in different sexes. Males are green and females are red. That’s quite uncommon in the parrot world because usually, females have dull colors. Scientists thought that females were a completely different species in the beginning.
Eclectus’ Lifespan
Eclectus can live from 30 to 60 years.
Eclectus’ Cost
Prices for Eclectus can vary from $600 to $2,000.
Eclectus’ Pros
- Beautiful vibrant feathers.
- Intelligent and usually gentle birds.
Eclectus’ Cons
- They’re loud birds, but don’t like loud noises. They can get very scaredy.
- They need a special low fat high hiber diet because they have unusually long digestive tracks.
20 – Macaws
Macaws comprise a series of different species. The most common macaw types made as pet birds are below:
- Blue and Gold Macaw
- Scarlet Macaw
- Military Macaw
- Hyacinth Macaw
- Green Winged Macaw
They’re very beautiful parrots, with vibrant colors and powerful beaks. Speaking on sizes, they’re the largest parrots in the world. They feel very heavy when you have them in your arms!
The Hyacinth Macaw, known as the gentle giant, is the largest parrot among all parrots, measuring 1 meter from beak to tail. It’s also one of the most chill parrots. Recently, they’ve been suffering a lot of consequences from the devastation of their habitat in Brazil. In 2020, the Pantanal, the wetlands where it lives, had 30% of its area burned to open space for cattle.
Macaw’s Lifespan
Macaws can live from 30 to 70 years.
Macaw’s Costs
Macaws can cost from $1,500 to $40,000 in the case of Hyacinth Macaws. Because they’re rare, hard to breed and being captured from the wild. It’s an endangered species and there are only 7,000 left. I cannot stress how vile it would be to take an endangered chick from the wild…
Macaw’s Pros
- Macaws can be quite affectionate.
- They can learn a few tricks and learn how to talk a few words.
- Their feathers are oily, not dandruffy like the Cockatoos. That means less mess.
Macaw’s Cons
- With powerful beaks, come in a lot of power. Macaws can give long lasting painful bites in a form of small punctures. They have the second most painful bites, behind only from the Mollucan Cockatoo.
- Macaws have a strong scent.
- Big poops! The largest ones in all parrot world.
- Very loud noises.
21 – African Greys
African Greys are the most intelligent birds in the world. They’re capable of amazing things, even counting! They are known to have the intelligence of a four-year-old child in some tasks. In addition to their striking cognitive abilities, African Grey parrots have displayed altruistic behavior and concern for others.
According to Wikipedia, researchers found that while blue-headed macaws were unlikely to share a nut with other members of their own species, African Grey parrots would actively give their conspecific partner a nut, even if it meant that they would not be able to get one themselves.
They’re also great talkers, they can learn an extensive vocabulary depending on the environment and on the bird, of course. Some of them are able to repeat words and phrases after hearing them just once or twice.
With all that intelligence, comes a challenge to handle them in a way they feel challenged and engaged in captivity.
Unfortunately, African Greys are an endangered species. Between 1994 and 2003, more than 359,000 grey parrots were traded on the international market. Approximately 21% of the wild population was being harvested every year. Mortality rates are extremely high between the time they are captured and they reach the market, ranging from 60 to 66%.
African Grey’s Lifespan
African Greys can live up from 30 to 80 years. (It can vary a lot!)
African Grey’s Cost
African Greys can cost from $1,000 to $7,000.
African Grey’s Pros
- They can be very chatty companions and fun to be around.
- It’s amazing to have the chance to witness their sharp intelligence! They are such incredible live beings.
- The pattern in their feathers is beautiful to admire.
African Grey’s Cons
- Very emotionally sensitive to be able to handle being bounced from owner to owner. Being surrended hurts them deeply. *The same happens to other birds, but they seem to feel it more.
- They have the corn-cob type of bite. Where not only they bite, but they keep “chewing” in the area. Yikes!
- They’re not very cuddly birds like Cockatoos and Macaws.
- It’s hard to offer an environment that has enough distractions to keep them occupied. Being so smart, they get bored easily and need to be constantly challenged. They’re especially prone to feather-picking because of that.
- They can produce very high pitched noises.
- They are hard to flight-train.
22 – Cockatoos
Cockatoos are probably one the most popular parrots. That is probably because of its cuddly nature and clownish attitude.
People see Cockatoos on funny videos on the internet and they think they’re cute and funny, which they totally are. They totally adorable cute-pies! However, they tend to be moody birds sometimes that can throw a tantrum out of the blue and need a very experienced owner.
They are definitively not supposed to be for first bird owners. Many bird owners say that having a Cockatoo is something close to raising a toddler. But for 30+ years! You will need a lot of training, patience, energy, and money with you planning to have one.
There are many types of Cockatoos, over 25 types, but we will cite the most popular below:
- Umbrella Cockatoos
- Lesser Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo
- Goffin Cockatoos
- Galah Cockatoos
- Major Michell Cockatoos
- Bare-Eyed Cockatoos
- Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos
- Mollucan Cockatoos
- Citron Crested Cockatoos
- Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo
- Glossy Black Cockatoo
- Black Palm Cockatoo
Cockatoo’s Lifespan
Cockatoos can live an average of 50 to 70 years, but there are reports of Cockatoos living as long as 100 years! Allegedly, Fred, the Cockatoo, reached 100 years and received a letter from the Queen of England when completed a century alive.
Cockatoo’s Cost
$600 to $6,500 or even $16,000 for a rare species, such as the Palm Cockatoo. Unfortunately, there are only 3,000 left in the wild.
Cockatoo’s Pros
- Cockatoos are little goofballs. They very inquisitive and social, they love to play.
- In a loving home, they’re can be very gentle and “preen” their favorite people.
- Very smart parrots, they can use tools, and learn a lot of new things.
Cockatoo’s Cons
- Cockatoos tend to be temperamental and unpredictable. One hour, they’re chill, a minute later, they might be screaming their ears off or nip your fingers.
- Cockatoos have particularly higher needs for enrichment and stimulation than most other pets.
- Ear-piercing screeches. They are very loud and there is no such thing as a completelly “quiet” Cockatoo.
- They can be one people birds and act aggressive towards they don’t like.
- Cockatoos are quite destructive, they will chew on furniture if they get a chance.
- Cockatoos bites can be the most powerful bites among all parrots. The Mollucan Cockatoo has the strongest bite force. When they really mean to bite, they latch on and don’t let it go, causing punctures that may need stiches and can cause permanent damage to the nerve area. They can even take a piece out of your lip. Ouchie!
- They have dandruff, so they can get pretty dusty.
Conclusion
Having birds is a great responsibility, but they do bring a lot of joy to your household.
Please note that the list of pros and cons doesn’t necessarily will correspond to the reality of each parrot. Each bird is a single unique individual. For instance, you might meet cockatoos that can actually be pretty calm and hardly ever screech.
Anyway, do good research before bringing one home.
