Different Parrot Types

There are many different types of parrots. There are approximately 372 different species in 86 genera of parrots divided into 3 families: Psittacidae (true parrots), the Cacatuidae (cockatoos) and the Nestoridae. We’ll focus on examples from the first 2 families. The Nestoridae family broke away from the other species about 82 million years ago with the formation of New Zealand.

Smaller species of parrots (such as cockatiels and lovebirds) cost less, are easier to care for and use a smaller cage. Larger species require more care and are more expensive. Smaller parrots live 10 to 15 years. Larger parrots such as the macaws and cockatoos live more than 75 years.

African Grey Parrots

African grey parrots are renowned for their red and maroon tails. Many people get the name of the parrot wrong and in fact spell African grey parrot as ‘African gray parrot’. This is indeed wrong but if you made a mistake then don’t worry about it!

African Grey Parrots may require more oils in their diet than other species of Parrots.

Yellow Headed Amazon Parrots

Yellow Headed Amazon Parrots are one of the most intelligent species of parrots. Amazon parrots love food and have a tendency to become overweight. Amazons often eat out of boredom, necessitating the need for several toys and cage activities.

Amazon parrots are one of the most widely known companion parrots. In addition to their brilliant green feathers and beauty, which makes them a showcase in any home, they posses a wonderful personality.

Electus Parrots

Eclectus Parrots are perhaps the most misunderstood of any species of commonly available medium-sized parrots. Eclectus Parrots are very sensitive to diet and can often become very radical in their behavior when given a nutritionally deficient diet. They can show very erratic behaviors both as babies and as adults.

Red-Crowned Parrots

Red-crowned parrots live along the northeast Mexican coasts. Military macaws live in fragmented canyon and forest habitat from Mexico to Peru, having disappeared from Argentina. Red has been long known as the color of love and passion.

Monk Parakeets

Monk Parakeets are found in agricultural areas. Monk Parrots live in the canopy trees in open tropical areas, savannas, and in woodland areas. Their bulky nests are constructed of thorny twigs.

Senegal Parrots

Senegal parrots are known to bond only one human and will generally not interact with anyone. Senegal Parrots live an average of approximately 25-30 years in the wild.

Macaws

Macaws are generally not as talkative as other species of Parrot although they will learn up to 10 words. As pets they are most frequently kept separately. Macaws require a diet that is high in fat, and thus should eat unsalted nuts everyday. Chocolate, alcohol or avocado should never be offered to any bird, as they are poisonous to them.

Severes

Severes are mostly green in colour, with a blue crown, brown forehead band and chin. The flight feathers are blue and the tail has a red-dark chestnut underside.