Large birds make fascinating pets, known for their impressive size, intelligence, playfulness, and affectionate nature. Many can learn to talk, perform tricks, and develop deep bonds with their human companions. However, owning one of them requires significant commitment. These birds need ample space, can be quite loud, and often have long lifespans, sometimes outliving their owners. Left alone in a cage, they may become unhappy and unhealthy. Their care can also be costly due to specialized diet, housing, and healthcare needs.
List of Big Pet Birds
Parrots are the most popular large birds kept as pets, barring exotic pet birds. This is often because of their beautiful plumage or because of their ability to mimic human speech.
| Name | Length (in) | Weight (oz) | Wingspan (in) | Talking Ability | Lifespan as Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm (Black Palm) Cockatoo | 22-24 | 32-48 | 27-39 | Decent mimic but not very communicative | Up to 100 years |
| Blue-and-gold Macaw | 30-34 | 28-46 | 41-45 | Can clearly repeat words and phrases | Up to 100 years |
| Yellow-headed Amazon | 15-17 | 16-23 | 8-9 | Possesses excellent vocal capabilities and has a good vocabulary | Up to 60 years |
| Eclectus Parrot | 17-20 | 13-19 | 8-10 | Can learn to mimic speech only if taught from a young age | Up to 30 years |
| Hyacinth Macaw | 36-39 | 42-51 | 15-17 | Can learn to talk but is a soft speaker and cannot learn many phrases | Up to 75 years |
| Military Macaw | 27-34 | 32-38 | 33-43 | Can clearly repeat words and phrases | Up to 80 years |
| Red-and-green Macaw | 35-37 | 32-60 | 41-49 | Can clearly repeat words and phrases | Up to 65 years |
| Scarlet Macaw | 30-32 | 32-39 | 44-47 | Can clearly repeat words and phrases | Up to 90 years |
| Sulphur-crested Cockatoo | 17-22 | 12-31 | 40-41 | Can repeat words but is often unclear | Up to 100 years |
| Umbrella Cockatoo | 18-24 | 16-26 | 20-22 | Can repeat words clearly and has a sweet voice | Up to 80 years |
| Salmon-crested Cockatoo | 18-20 | 29-30 | 22-24 | Can repeat words and is extremely loud and talkative | Up to 70 years |
Proper care and enrichment are crucial to preventing behavioral problems and ensuring these intelligent and social birds remain healthy and content in captivity.
