Corvids like crows and ravens are probably the first to come to mind when thinking of birds with black plumage. But, keeping them as pets is illegal in most places worldwide, including the United States. When it comes to pet birds, there are plenty of beautiful black-feathered parrots, like the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, the Black Lory, and the Palm Cockatoo, that are popular throughout the world.
List of Pet Parrots With Naturally Black Plumage
The plumage of the following parrots is mostly black, with only a handful of differently colored feathers present.
| Name | Length (in) | Weight (oz) | Where They Are From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm (or Black Palm) Cockatoo | 22-24 | 32-42 | New Guinea and Australia |
| Black Lory | 11-13 | 8-9 | West Papua, Indonesia |
| Glossy Black Cockatoo | 18-20 | 15-23 | Eastern Australia |
| Red-tailed Black Cockatoo | 22-24 | 20-32 | Australia |
| Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo | 22-26 | 26-32 | Southeast Australia |
| Baudin’s Black Cockatoo | 20-22 | 20-22 | Southwest Australia |
| Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo | 21-23 | 18-28 | Southwest Australia |
| Greater Vasa Parrot | 19-20 | 17-18 | Madagascar and Comoros |
| Lesser Vasa Parrot | 13-16 | 6-7 | Madagascar |
There are also exotic birds like the Keel-billed Toucan that have noticeable black plumage, but they are difficult to keep as pets due to their dietary and housing requirements.
Pet Birds With Black Morphs
Most other pet birds, even some parrots, do not naturally have black plumage. However, a “black morph” can sometimes be bred through selective breeding.
- Black Budgerigar (Anthracite mutation)
- Black Australian Zebra Finch
- Black Society Finch
How Do Black Parrots Get Their Color
The black color of these birds comes from a natural pigment called melanin, which is also responsible for the color of human hair and skin. Black plumage is excellent for absorbing UV light, making these feathers advantageous for birds living at relatively high altitudes or in arid areas.
It is worth noting that some unscrupulous sellers might resort to dyeing birds or using other deceptive tactics to mislead buyers. In these cases, it is very likely that the black color will wear off after some time.
