Parrotlets Bird Breed Pictures,Characteristics, & Facts

Smaller parrots tie with Amazons and African greys in terms of popularity, according to the APPA survey (all come in at 7 percent). One type of small parrot is the parrotlet, which is even smaller than parakeets. Why is this small parrot on our list? Because parrotlets make for some of the best parrots for pets, especially if you are a first-time parent, Blanchette says. While they may be tiny, parrotlets have big, charismatic personalities and can be trained to do all sorts of things, from stepping onto your finger to turning around or waving, she says.

Again, you’ll want spend quality time with this bird, or else your pet parrotlet can pick at the bars of their cage, rip things apart in your house or pluck at their feathers, Blanchette says. So, like all birds, get a roomy cage, put in plenty of interesting toys that are changed up weekly, and get up close and personal with your bird, Blanchette says.

As with all parrots (and pet birds), you can supplement food pellets with vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli florets) and fruits that are low in sugar, Dr. Rolfe says. Avoid fruits like apples, bananas and oranges for those that are higher in phytonutrients (like papayas and berries), she says.

Also known as:

Pocket parrots. There are several species, including the Pacific parrotlet and green-rumped parrotlet.

Average lifespan:

15 to 20 years

Social needs:

You can get one parrotlet or two. If you get two, the birds will probably bond more to each other than to you, Blanchette says.

Talking ability:

They can be taught to say words, but those words may not be crystal clear, says Blanchette. They’re not as noisy as other types of parrots, so may be the perfect one for apartment dwellers.

Medical concerns:

Yeast infections: When parrotlets preen, they’re spreading oil from a gland they (and most pet birds) have at the base of their tails. “They put a very precise and specific type of oil on their skin and feathers. So, when we apply more oils to them, from our hands or from lotions or creams on our bodies, it can actually upset the balance on the skin and lead to overgrowth of yeast or bacteria,” Dr. Rolfe says.

Accidents: Parrotlets are tiny birds, and can get stepped on accidentally by family members, Dr. Rolfe says, so be sure to supervise when you let them out in the room. If you have dogs or cats in the house, make sure you keep your bird’s cage in a secure area—and always be aware of your other pets’ whereabouts, no matter how friendly or relaxed they seem around your bird, she says.