Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

6 simple tips: How to pick a great name for your new bird

Rebekkah Adams
By

“Does Polly want a cracker” might have a nice traditional ring to it, but we know when to leave behind a label that’s over. Names for pet birds should reflect their personality and yours. Whether you’re into history or books, music or pop culture, we have a name that will capture the essence of your bird with a little piece of his owner thrown in. Here are a few guidelines and suggestions to use when deciding what to call your bird.

Two affectionate birds on a branch
Jondolar Schnurr/Pixabay.com

Try a literary name

While Iago may be a classic, we think Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy would make an excellent set of names for a pair of lovebirds. Make sure to have some nicknames ready as calling those out each time you come home will turn into quite the mouthful. Liz and Fitz work great, too, if you want to skip straight to the shortened versions. Or give Romeo and Juliet a shot to christen your star-crossed lovers.

Recommended Videos

Use historical influence

For the history buff, think of the memorable mononymous figures like Napoleon, an excellent name for a bird whose personality doesn’t match his size. Charlemagne or Rasputin work if your bird seems like the ruler of the household. For a lady, test out Cleopatra or Boudicca, especially if she knows that she’s the boss.

Cockatiel sits in human hand
tenenbaum/Shutterstock

Listen to their favorite song

Your bird probably loves to sing, and choosing a name based on his or her favorite artist can bring an extra thrill. If you aren’t quite sure what he’ll like, or she seems to sing along to everything, try a few of the classics like Van Halen. On the flip side, go really modern with your Queen Bey or Taylor. Take it far back to Mozart or Beethoven, especially if he seems to dig the classical. Don’t be afraid to hone in on icons of the last century as well like Elvis or Marlon, which really work fine for either gender.

Stick with a popular name

Feel free to steal from movies or pop culture; we think Ripley and Captain Marvel make great names for your colorful pet. Sisters might become Elsa and Anna or Thor and Loki for brothers. But if you’re traditional at heart, you can look to the more common bird names such as Tweety, Woodstock, or Blu. After all, your bird thinks his name has never been used before.

Bird looks quizzically at stone
klickblick/Pixabay.com

Have fun with it

We love a good pun and can’t help but throw out a few suggestions that play on words. Maybe you’re a bookworm with a sense of humor? Then you should try Excalibird or Birdicus to start. If you envision your pet to be quite the detective, stick with Hercule Parrot or Edgar Allan Crow. Does your budgie like to communicate? They’re probably writing a hit song or a salty column, so call them Carrie Bradcaw or Paul Macawtney. Extra points if you can teach your bird to say his humorous name. We want him in on the joke, too.

Find something easy

Still not satisfied? Name your pet after a state or city, including Dallas, Montana, or Jersey. Ponder a few jobs as well. A bird who’s always looking out for his friends becomes Doc. One who leads the group (even in bad behavior) can be Admiral or Colonel. Your pet’s favorite snack makes a suitable moniker, too — play with Apple, Turnip, Pepper, and Blossom. It’s okay to change his name a few times a day while you’re still working on it. He won’t mind.

Choosing your pet bird names might rank low on the list of necessities when acquiring an animal, but his or her handle may end up sticking around a long time — remember, some birds live over 50 years. Start with a long list of your favorites based on popular bird names and a few to reflect your interests. It’s best to begin this brainstorm before you even bring a bird home. Then narrow it down and experiment with a few different ones when you have your bird. You never know when something might stick, or he may decide to respond to one over the others. Once your pet learns to recognize or repeat a name, you know you’ve come across the right one. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why do birds sing in the morning? There are 2 clever reasons for it
Are the birds waking you up every morning? Here's why
Bird sings from a perch in a pine tree

Who doesn't want to wake up to the playful chatter of birds in your neighborhood? While we admit it might start a little too early on the weekends, catching the famous dawn chorus will brighten the start of your day, and it has many benefits for the singers as well. Avians sing for a few reasons and they give their best and loudest performances in the early morning for strategic reasons.

Of course, you might hear the occasional soloist at any old time. But if you want the best show, look for that classic AM serenade coming from your yard. But why do birds sing in the morning? There are a few reasons for this, but here are the main ones.

Read more
Certain colors may scare your bird – these are the ones to avoid
Here are the right and wrong colors for your pet bird's mood
Scared parrot squawks

Have you noticed that your bird responds differently to different colors and might even be startled by certain shades? Birds across the globe come in all colors — it’s one of the delights of birdwatching. In the home, parakeets, parrots, and canaries are well known for their beautiful plumage, another appealing aspect of owning these pets. But nature has given our feathered friends an instinct to perceive particular bright colors as a threat and thus avoid them. With careful observation and a little planning, you can avoid upsetting your bird with specific hues.

Why are birds attracted to certain colors?
There are probably a few reasons birds seem attracted to certain colors. Many birds eat fruit and the nectar of flowers and are therefore inclined to the colors associated with them. That’s why hummingbirds and others go for the bright, beautiful flowers in our yards (or the feeders designed to mimic them). In addition, pretty feathers aren’t just attractive to you but are also intended to help birds procure mates. On the other hand, birds in the wild might display color patches as a warning, which may lead fellow birds to fear some colors.
What colors are birds afraid of?
Many bird owners swear that their bird is afraid of red, and there’s probably some truth to that. Just as we take red to mean caution, so too, do some birds, who may view it with trepidation. If your bird finds red scary, try to minimize its presence around your birdcage or play area. 

Read more
Why do birds fly into windows? The truth is kind of sad
There's a lot you can do to keep neighborhood birds from flying into windows
Bird takes flight off a branch in slow motion

Watching birds from the windows is one of the many perks of living near wildlife: we can stay warm and gaze out on the flocks that frequent our feeders. But sadly, these windows that allow us to view the outdoors can harm the creatures in it. Animals experience the world differently from us, and they see differently, too. Therefore, it's important to take steps to make your windows visible to birds (and other fauna) in order to help spare them from unnecessary death or injury. But why do birds fly into windows? We'll explain what the problem is and also give you some advice on how to prevent it. With a few simple tricks, you'll still get to enjoy the bird show and keep them from getting hurt. 

Why do birds fly into windows?
Turn off the lights inside and go out during the early morning to look at your windows. You'll likely see a dim version of your own yard reflected back to you. While it only gives you a moment's pause, birds don't understand that a plant can show up in a piece of glass but not really be there. Unfortunately, this means when they fly into your windows, they're actually trying to get into the trees. That's because there's a wide-open sky in the panes of your home welcoming the avians of your area.

Read more