Which Pet Birds Are Worth Getting – Top 10 Pet Birds Worth Getting

Introduction

​​Bird keeping has become a popular choice for pet enthusiasts, but which pet birds are truly worth raising?​​ This article introduces ten of the most recommended bird species for pet owners, including Budgerigars, Macaws, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Larks, Mynas, Canaries, Society Finches, African Grey Parrots, Red-billed Blue Magpies, and Hill Mynas. So, what makes these birds particularly suitable as pets? Let’s explore together.

Top 10 Most Popular Pet birds in the World

1. Budgerigar
2. Macaw
3. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
4. Lark
5. Common Myna
6. Canary
7. Society Finch
8. African Grey Parrot
9. Red-billed Blue Magpie
10. Hill Myna

Top 10 Most Popular Pet birds in the World – Anoverview

1. Budgerigar – Easiest to Keep

Budgerigars are one of the easiest pet birds to care for. They are simple to raise, require minimal management, tolerate simple diets, have strong constitutions, are resistant to illness, and breed easily. As the most common parrot species worldwide with affordable prices, their playful and adorable nature makes them widely popular. With a global population exceeding 5 million, they often serve as the first parrot for beginners and frequently appear in bird exhibitions.

2. Macaw – Most Beautiful

Macaws are the most vibrantly colored large parrots, boasting spectacular rainbow-like plumage. Their most distinctive feature is their facial patterns – some covered in stripes resembling Peking opera masks that turn red when excited. They readily accept human training and coexist peacefully with other parrot species, though they may bite other animals and strangers. With lifespans up to 65 years, some species can mimic human speech with soft voices.

3. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo – Longest Lifespan

With lifespans reaching 80 years, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are the longest-living among pet birds and indeed all avian species. Well-cared for, they can accompany their owners for a lifetime. Their predominantly white plumage lacks iridescence, complemented by yellow crests that fan out dramatically when agitated, resembling blooming sunflowers. Their powerful beaks require metal cages, and like many cockatoos, they demand significant owner companionship.

4. Lark – Best Singing Voice

Larks possess not only beautiful but remarkably diverse songs, typically mastering over ten different melodies. They effortlessly imitate various birds and small animals while maintaining loud, sustained vocalizations. Their graceful, penetrating songs can reach skyward even from cages, earning them the title “songbird virtuoso.” However, training their singing requires considerable patience and skill from owners.

5. Common Myna – Most Affectionate

Common Mynas easily bond with humans when properly trained early, becoming intensely attached companions that follow owners everywhere – perching on shoulders or playing on command. Prevalent in southern China, they serve as beneficial agricultural birds while being popular cage pets worldwide. Their ability to mimic other birds and simple human speech has made them globally kept, exported to countries like Philippines and Canada. A talkative myna provides endless entertainment.

6. Canary – Highest Ornamental Value

Canaries combine lark-like singing with dazzling plumage, ranking among the most ornamental birds. Known variously as serin finches, they originate from Canary Islands with 24 varieties, universally regarded as noble cage birds. Measuring 12-14cm with slender builds, their wild yellow-green feathers with dark streaks have been bred into colors including yellow, white, green, orange and bronze, with improved vocalizations.

7. Society Finch – Most Prolific Breeder

Society Finches (also called white-rumped munias) are valued not for colorful plumage but for lively dispositions, strong family bonds, and easy trainability. Exceptional brooders among small birds, they make excellent “nanny birds.” As highly productive breeders, females start incubating at three months old, breeding year-round with 5-6 annual clutches of 5-6 eggs each – the most prolific among pet birds.

8. African Grey Parrot – Best Talking Ability

African Grey Parrots rank among few animals capable of genuine human conversation, renowned for exceptional mimicry skills, intelligence and cognitive levels comparable to 4-6-year-old children. Beyond human speech, they mimic wild animal sounds. Despite their vocal prowess, they’re Class I protected species in China where unauthorized keeping is illegal.

9. Red-billed Blue Magpie – Largest Pet Bird

Red-billed Blue Magpies are among the largest pet birds excluding parrots, measuring 54-65cm long. Their elegant appearance features blue-purple plumage, exceptionally long tail feathers with white tips, and striking red bills/feet creating dignified beauty. Social and noisy, they actively hop between branches or fly through trees.

10. Hill Myna – Most Spiritual Connection

Through training, Hill Mynas overcome human fear while learning various animal sounds. Expressive and interactive, they relieve stress and entertain owners. As popular talking birds, they exceptionally mimic owners’ voice tones, reproducing speech with remarkable similarity.