Living in a small space doesn’t mean missing out on pet ownership. Small birds are perfect for compact living, offering low-maintenance companionship as they are easy to care for. Whether it’s the melodious chirps of a canary or the playful nature of a budgie, these birds can be quite a delight.
List of Small Birds Kept as Pets
| Name | Size | Can They Talk | Do They Like Being Held | Lifespan (in years) | Cost For a Single Bird |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Zebra Finch | Length: 4-5 in Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz | No | No | 5-15 | Purchase: $40-$80 Annual Upkeep: $250-$450 |
| Pacific Parrotlet | Length: 4-5 in Weight: 1-1.1 oz | Can mimic humans but not very effectively | Yes | 15-25 | Purchase: $100-$300 Annual Upkeep: $300-$675 |
| Canary | Length: 4-6 in Weight: 0.5-1 oz | No, but the males are great singers | No | 10-15 | Purchase: $80-$400 Annual Upkeep: $180-$1,800 |
| Lovebirds | Length: 5-7 in Weight: 1.5-2 oz | No | Yes | 10-12 | Purchase: $100-$150 Annual Upkeep: $25-$500 |
| Budgerigar | Length: 6-9 in Weight: 1-1.5 oz | One of the best mimics of human speech | Yes | 15-20 | Purchase: $15-$40 Annual Upkeep: $120-$250 |
| Bourke’s Parrot | Length: 7-9 in Weight: 1.4-1.7 oz | No | Yes | 10-15 | Purchase: $150-$250 Annual Upkeep: $350-750 |
| Senegal Parrot | Length: 8-9 in Weight: 4-6 oz | Can mimic words but isn’t very talkative | Yes | 30-50 | Purchase: $300-$4,000 Annual Upkeep: $400-$800 |
| Gouldian Finch | Length: 5-6 in Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz | No | No | 5-8 | Purchase: $175-$500 Annual Upkeep: $300-$500 |
| Green-cheeked Conure | Length: 8-10 in Weight: 2-3 oz | Vocal but not great mimics | Yes | 25-30 | Purchase: $300-$900 Annual Upkeep: $300-$1,800 |
| Black-headed Parrot | Length: 9-10 in Weight: 4-6 oz | Poorly | Yes | 25-40 | Purchase: $800-$1,000 Annual Upkeep: $500-$950 |
| White-fronted Amazon | Length: 9-10 in Weight: 6-9 oz | Can mimic human speech in addition to repeating different types of sounds | Yes | 40-50 | Purchase: $800-$1,000 Annual Upkeep: $700-$1,400 |
| Cockatiel | Length: 12-13 in Weight: 2-4 oz | Limited vocabulary, but great mimics of different sounds | Yes | 16-25 | Purchase: $50-$200 Annual Upkeep: $200-$350 |
Note: While the Cockatiel is noticeably larger than the other birds on the list, it has been included due to being the smallest of all cockatoos, which are generally more than 20 inches long.
FAQs
None of the birds mentioned above are flightless, but their wings can be clipped to prevent them from flying away. However, it is possible to keep the Serama chicken as a pet. While not quite flightless, it is unable to sustain flight and instead uses its wings for brief jumps.
The Gouldian Finch is the most colorful of the birds listed here, with its plumage containing red, green, black, yellow, and purple feathers.
