Most of us think of pets as part of our family providing them love, care, and attention. And that is exactly what parrots want – a sense of belonging and being a part of a flock.
Parrots thrive in a family setting as they are flock animals that have an innate desire for companionship and social interaction.
But there are a few considerations that need to be made when choosing a parrot for your family.
Some species of parrots tend to get attached to only one person, while some might not be appropriate when you have kids in the house.
In this article, we will focus on affectionate and friendly parrot species that are ideal for families.
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What Makes A Good Family Parrot?
A good pet parrot for the family is one with a calm and gentle nature and who loves to spend time and bond with everyone.
Temperament
Parrots with a gentle and sociable nature make great pets for families. A parrot that is standoffish or screams all the time, might be considered socially undesirable. So you want a pet parrot that is friendly with everyone, and not just the ones that care for them.
Kid-Friendly
Children, especially younger ones, may not know how to interact with birds. Out of curiosity, they may probe, touch, or even grab birds, which could lead to them getting bitten.
While all parrots have a tendency to bite when they feel threatened, some calmer birds are less likely to bite. Also, bites from smaller bird species may not result in significant harm, but they can still be painful.
That being said, it is recommended that children under the age of 12 should not be allowed near a parrot.
Tendency to Become a “One-Person Bird”
The tendency to become a “one-person bird” refers to a parrot’s inclination to form a strong bond with one specific individual, often to the exclusion of others in the household. While this behavior is natural for many parrots, it often leads to the bird disliking other family members.
Some species are more prone to becoming one-person birds such as African Greys and cockatoos. On the other hand, species like budgies, cockatiels, and conures are social butterflies that form bonds with people who take care of them.
Best Parrot Species For A Family Setting
Here are the 8 best parrots that make great family pets:
Budgerigars
Budgies are highly social and intelligent parrots that love the company of humans. They are affectionate towards their caretakers and do not mind being handled. They also respond well to other forms of physical affection. However, they only snuggle up to the people they are closest to in the family.
Older children can safely interact with budgies but it is recommended that they are supervised by an adult. They can offer the bird treats and talk to them, building a rapport with them from the ground level.
Budgies are chatty birds, vocalizing frequently, however, their loudness levels are low. They are capable of talking and mimicking sounds.
They are fun birds for the entire family to hang out with, and it is better if their cage is situated in an area where they can interact with everyone.
Lovebirds
As their name suggests, lovebirds are an affectionate species that form strong bonds with their owners and their mates. Their sweet demeanor makes them a favorite with everyone, but you do need to match their high energy levels.
Lovebirds are very playful and have an exploratory nature, which means they are always ready for playtime and training. With multiple family members interacting with them, a lovebird can never feel neglected or bored. But they still cherish their time out of the cage and require a large space for flying around.
Lovebirds are pretty vocal birds that express themselves through a range of sounds, from melodic chirps to playful chatter. While their vocalizations can be occasionally noisy, they are not particularly loud and many people find their vocalizations to be pleasant and endearing.
In a family setting, it’s better to get a single lovebird instead of a pair. Lovebirds in pairs can bond deeply with one another and they might neglect interactions with other family members. A single lovebird is more likely to form strong connections with members of the family.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are as sociable as they come. They are loving birds that are eager to spend time with all family members in the house.
Cockatiels like gentle rubs on the head and will often walk up to their owners and bow down asking to be petted. The areas they like to be pet are the head, behind their crest, and their cheeks.
Young cockatiels are easy to tame and they maintain their good behavior as long as they are given attention and love. They are also fairly quiet and only vocalize in melodic chirps and whistles.
Cockatiels are dusty birds, which is an important thing to consider if you have a family member who is allergic. Also, having a dusty bird as a pet will require frequent cleaning of the cage. You would also need to install an air purifier in the house.
Parrotlet
The smallest of the bunch, parrotlets are referred to as “pocket parrots”. They are feisty little creatures that are active in their cages for most of the day. Even though they are small, they need a roomy enclosure with lots of toys to keep their beaks busy.
Because parrotlets are so tiny, their chattering sounds are hardly any loud. So your neighbors won’t come to know that you have a parrot.
Like other parrots, parrotlets need regular social interaction. You can keep their cage in a common room or the living area where they can get the most attention from all family members.
Conures
Conures like to be where people are. They are socially active birds that quickly become the center of focus wherever they go. They pack a bunch of personality for their size. Their inquisitive nature and playful antics are entertaining for everyone.
Being small in size, conures don’t require much space in the house. However, they also do not prefer to stay in their cages all day. They like to hang around people and explore their surroundings.
Conures perform tricks, mimic their owners, and do all sorts of goofy stuff. They’re a fun pet to have and are relatively easy to take care of.
Most conure species are loud making shrieking sounds, especially in the morning. They are not for apartment dwellers as they vocalize pretty frequently.
Sun Conures, Green Cheek Conures, and Jenday Conures are some of the popular conure species. If you want a quieter species, you can go for the green cheek conure as they’re considered to be less noisy compared to other conures.
Caiques
Caiques are high-energy birds known for their comical nature. Their mischief and goofiness go on non-stop and can be pretty funny to watch. Caiques have a reputation for hopping around, often performing acrobatics when very excited.
They are small birds, but they need a large enough enclosure to freely stretch their wings. Toys are also equally important to keep them happy and satisfied. These birds tend to be extra beaky so you need to keep your furniture safe from them.
Pionus Parrots
Laidback and easygoing, these parrots relish the family life. Pionus parrots are people-oriented, sweet, and easy-going, making them excellent pets for families. They easily adapt to new situations and are known to get along well with multiple caretakers.
They are often low energy and simply chill on their play stand or near their owners. But that does not mean they are dull or uninteresting. Pionus parrots are characterful birds with a balanced mix of the good and bad qualities of the larger parrots.
Pionus parrots rarely vocalization. They are quiet for most of the day, however, they are capable of making loud screaming noises. Pionus parrots are not known for their talking ability but they can learn to repeat a few words.
They are gregarious but they do not actively seek the attention of their owners like some of the other parrots do. But they are very affectionate and love for people to come to them.
Quaker Parrots
Quaker parrots thrive being part of a family. They have strong social instincts and constantly look for opportunities for interaction and bonding. As social birds, their happiness and mental well-being are closely tied to the attention and companionship they receive.
In households where attention falls short of their social needs, Quakers may display undesirable behaviors. Consistent attention is essential for keeping them friendly, engaged, and content.
This is the reason why they do so well in a family. Quakers are also a fun parrot to hang out with. They are highly trainable, intelligent, and fast learners. They are also great talkers, able to learn words and phrases. However, Quakers tend to be a noisy parrot, so they are not ideal for apartments.
