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Here are the best birds to keep as pets

Consider of these bird breeds if you're thinking about having this kind of pet

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Parrot flies in front of trees in the wild
Zdeněk Macháček / Unsplash

Birds are an interesting and entertaining pet to have. Our feathered friends come in a range of colors, demeanors, and sizes, so you’re sure to identify one that is great for you. The species that people usually keep as pets are some of the most intelligent around, which is why we encourage you to pursue bird training tips, as the results will prove rewarding. Read through our list of the best birds to have as pets for information on some of the most popular and tame flyers.

Cockatiels

Cockatiel on perch
GK Hart / Vikki Hart / Getty Images

These miniature cockatoos are just the right size for a pet. Cockatiels are a common bird raised throughout the world. They usually live between 15 and 25 years. Known for their distinctive yellow crest, cockatiels need a lot of stimulation in their cages, so be sure to buy lots of toys for them to interact with.

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Their houses should be large enough for them to fly around and have perches of different materials. Note that cockatiels often bathe in their water bowls, so pick a dish that is large enough to accommodate your pet. These birds can eat a variety of leafy greens, vegetables, seeds, and pellets.

Parakeets

Parakeet on branch
Bianca Ackermann / Unsplash

Also known as budgerigars, or budgies, parakeets are small birds often kept as pets. In the wild, parakeets were exclusively yellow and green, but those bred in captivity can be blue, gray, white, yellow, green, or a mix of those colors. These small birds are great for compact households. Also, they do not make much noise and are not destructive. Parakeets are one of the friendliest pet birds and can be handled easily. They eat seeds, vegetables, and pellets. You should have toys in a parakeet’s enclosure that are no larger than the bird itself. Their lifespan is up to about 15 years.

African gray

An African gray parrot looks quizzically
karolyn83 / Pixabay

African grays are talkative, large birds. They are easily bored and need lots of toys to keep them busy so they don’t become disruptive or destructive. These are very smart birds. They can learn routines when they become accustomed to them. African grays need large cages so they can fly around. These birds need to be fed fruits and vegetables that are high in phytonutrients (red, orange, and yellow vegetables and fruits and dark green leafy vegetables). They enjoy socializing and bonding with their owners. Take note that they can outlive you, with a lifespan of about 60 years.

Doves

Two white doves on a perch
Foodtographer / Shutterstock

Lots of birds on this list love hands-on attention, but doves are for people who prefer to have a more distant relationship with their pets. They still need interaction, stimulation, and companionship, though. In addition to a sweet and fun bird, you’ll also hear the soft, gentle coo wafting through the house from time to time (you can use darkness to cut down on this at night).

Your bird may want a friend, and two females often work best since you don’t have to worry about mating or fighting. Most importantly, doves need a ton of space in their cage to fly since they won’t climb up and down the bars. Make sure you have it set up for them in particular and that they get plenty of exercise.

Canaries

Canary looking into camera
Roy Buri / Pixabay

Canaries are yellow songbirds that have a lively and pleasant voice. They enjoy being around people, so it is a good idea to keep their cage in a room that you frequent. They might eat pellets or vegetables. Veterinarians recommend that you occasionally let your canaries out of their cages to exercise. Like cockatiels, these birds like to bathe in their water bowls, so you may want to provide them with two — a deep bowl for drinking and a shallower one for bathing. They typically live 10 to 15 years.

Conures

Conure on a branch
Sergio Mendoza Hochmann / Getty Images

A type of parrot, conures are brightly colored birds. They can be yellow, green, blue, red, or a combination of those. Conures are very intelligent birds that can be trained to do tricks. Because they’re so smart, they should have daily human interaction to keep them stimulated.

Also, their cages must contain lots of enrichment items. These birds like to keep to routines. Conures are not the best pet bird for beginners because they can become aggressive and bite. Their lifespan is up to 30 years. A normal diet for a conure in captivity consists of pellets, vegetables, and the occasional low-sugar fruit.

Zebra finches

Zebra Finch
ATTILA Barsan / Shutterstock

Zebra finches aren’t difficult to please as long as they are kept in a cage large enough for them to fly around. However, this pet should have a variety of toys to keep them stimulated. They eat pellets, seeds, and greens. Zebra finches live to be around 10 years old.

Whether it is your first bird or your fifth, hopefully our list has taught you something about the most popular birds to keep as pets. These intelligent creatures are quite entertaining to watch as they fly about and play with their toys and can sometimes be handled for more interaction.

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Former Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
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