Big Birds as Pets: 10 Species With Info, Pictures & Care Chart

Owning a big bird is an entirely different experience than having a dog or even another smaller pet species in your home. Training and early socialization are crucial for a well-behaved pet, especially one with a large beak and claws. Likewise, toys are insurance against destruction. Chewing is second nature to these animals. It doesn’t matter to them if it happens to be your dining room table and chairs.

The other consideration is age. Some species live nearly as long as humans. When we talk about pet ownership being a commitment, this one carries the lifelong tag. However, if you have the time and interest, our round-up of our favorite 10 species will give you a place to start.

The 10 Big Bird Species That Make Great Pets

1. Blue and Gold Macaw

Few birds are as beloved and recognizable as the Blue and Gold Macaw. It has so much going for it. It’s a sweetheart if given enough attention and mental stimulation. The bird is quite social and readily bonds with you and your family. It can be very loud if it feels ignored. The macaw can be destructive if left to its own devices. Toys will help keep your pet from chewing your furniture.

The Blue and Gold Macaw is an affectionate bird. It can also learn to talk and do tricks to entertain you and your family while giving it something to do. They are long-lived, making them lifelong pets for people willing to devote the time and attention to their avian best friend.

2. Scarlet Macaw

The Scarlet Macaw is one of the most beautiful big birds you’ll ever see. Individuals also have green, yellow, and blue plumage that helps them fit in their tropical Central and South American habitats. It’s also an introduced species in Puerto Rico. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), its population is decreasing.

Your best bet is to get a hand-raised bird from a reputable seller. That will make training easier for you. It’s essential to socialize your macaw with other individuals. Many big birds often bond with one person, making other interactions challenging. All parrots require daily attention, and the Scarlet Macaw is no exception.

3. Harlequin Macaw

The Harlequin Macaw is a first-generation cross between the Green-winged Macaw and the Blue and Gold Macaw. Both species make excellent pets, giving you the best of both worlds with this hybrid. The result is an extroverted but gentle bird. Nonetheless, training and early socialization are vital, especially when getting a larger pet like this one.

Parrots are social animals. Remember that you’re filling in as a flock replacement. Therefore, daily attention and bonding time are essential with the Harlequin Macaw. Otherwise, it will likely make its feelings known and heard—loudly.

4. Amazon Blue-fronted Parrot

The Amazon Blue-fronted Parrot catches your eye with its pretty, colorful patch on its forehead, giving it its name. It lives in large flocks in the forests of the northern half of South America. It’s a very social bird, which will carry over as a pet in your home. The parrot is chatty and can even sing. Expect a morning chorus and an evening serenade from this one.

Many enthusiasts point out its easy-going temperament. That makes it a good starter parrot for those just getting started with big birds. Your pet will thrive if you give it a lot of attention and make it a part of everything you do. Like all of these species, owning one is a commitment.

5. Senegal Parrot

While you may associate big birds with South America, the Senegal Parrot is an interesting-looking species from central West Africa. It starts with a gray head that morphs into a colorful green and orange body. It’s smaller than most of the entries on our list, but it’s surprisingly long-lived for a species of its size. This bird can live up to 50 years.

This parrot is a fun pet to invite into your home. Early socialization with everyone in your household is vital since this bird often devotes its attention to one person. The Senegal Parrot is sure to make you laugh with its charming antics. It isn’t a quiet pet, but it isn’t over-the-top loud, either.

6. African Grey Parrot

The African Grey Parrot is probably one of the most intelligent and talkative birds you’ll ever meet. This species takes speech to a new level, building up an extensive vocabulary. It even seems to understand what it says. It also picks up new words very easily, even the ones you’re not actively teaching it to say. That’s something to keep in mind if you have small children in your home.

Unsurprisingly, boredom is an issue with birds as intelligent as this one. It thrives on attention and will languish—and shriek—if ignored. You should provide plenty of toys for your parrot for mental stimulation. Fortunately, a well-attended pet isn’t particularly loud. It also prefers a quiet home as opposed to an active, noisy household.

7. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

There’s no getting around it. The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a handful best suited to experienced pet owners. It’s an intelligent animal on several fronts. It can learn to talk, which many people want in a bird. However, it can be pretty vocal, making it unsuitable for apartment dwellers. However, you can forgive it for being noisy because of how affectionate this bird is.

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is probably one of the most people-oriented birds you’ll find. It also takes intelligence to the next level. Australians sometimes call them “trash parrots” because of their unseemly habit of getting into the garbage. Houdini has nothing on these clever feathered bandits. Escape-proofing your pet’s cage is something you can’t forget.

8. Umbrella Cockatoo

You can’t ask for a better choice of a big bird than the Umbrella Cockatoo. Its looks alone can sell you. This one is downright cute! It’s an adaptable species in the wild, which carries over into its life as a pet. It can learn tricks, although it’s not a talker. This one will keep you entertained, nevertheless. It’s an incredibly intelligent parrot.

The Umbrella Cockatoo mates for life in the wild. As a pet, you’ll fill in as its lifelong BFF. It’s a fitting description, given its long lifespan. These birds are affectionate and will enjoy cuddling with you. However, it’s imperative to give your pet a lot of attention to prevent destructive behavior.

9. Nanday Conure

The Nanday Conure is a highly vocal bird, which isn’t unusual for a forest species. After all, vegetation can muffle sounds, so you have to compensate to be heard. Its green plumage provides excellent camouflage in its native South American homeland. It has a black beak and mask that make it easy to identify. It’s a handsome species that has won many hearts in the pet trade.

While it comes from South America, it has also found a home in many other places, including Sarasota and Los Angeles. A flock of conures is a stunning sight. Nevertheless, many consider it a pest because of its destructive nature as feral birds.

10. Sun Conure

The Sun Conure is probably on many pet owners’ lists for the most beautiful bird species. It’s the smallest entry on our list, but that doesn’t detract from its looks or personality. Everything about this bird demands that you take notice, from its striking plumage to its playful nature to its intermittent squawking.

The Sun Conure lives in the forests and savannas of Brazil and Guyana. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), it is an endangered species. Pressure from the pet trade and habitat loss have contributed to its decline. If you want a Sun Conure, we strongly urge you to get one from a reputable seller.

Tips for Keeping Big Birds

Big birds come with a lengthy list of considerations before you commit to owning one. We’ve talked about their long lifespans. Therefore, it behooves you to research the various species carefully. Know what you’re getting before you bring one home. Doing your homework before you buy is far better than relinquishing a pet that didn’t work out for you. After all, they are capable of complex emotions, too.

Attention and mental stimulation are imperative for a good owner-pet relationship. Parrots are intelligent animals. Remember that their habitats give a lot for them to do. Most species are social creatures, which adds more complexity to their lives. You have to provide it for them. Therefore, understand what owning a big bird entails—it’s not like having a dog or cat.

We also recommend taking your time researching sellers as much as the species. Sadly, the illegal pet trade has decimated many wild populations. Ensure you’re getting a captive-bred bird, as many wild animals are illegal to sell in the United States.

Conclusion

Big birds offer a different experience for the pet owner. They live much longer than dogs or cats, making it more of a lifelong relationship than with other animals. The other consideration is space. You need a large cage to house them. You must also keep their destructive behavior on the front burner. Like cats, the instincts of parrots often conflict with humans.

Owning any pet is a serious responsibility that no one should take lightly. A bird’s life and well-being depend on you fulfilling its mental and physical needs. If you’re ready for the challenge, you’ll be amply rewarded.

• Related Read: 5 Yellow Pet Bird Species That You Can Bring Home Today (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: hartono subagio, Pixabay