10 Blue Pet Birds & Parrot Species You Can Bring Home (With Info & Pictures)

Birds are among the most fascinating pets you can own. They form strong bonds with their owners and are curious and affectionate. Their plumage gets most people talking, and while you can find species with feathers of all colors, blue is probably one of the most striking variations. Birds can have various shades of blue, from deep indigo to a soft pastel hue.

If you love birds and the color blue, here are 10 blue pet birds and parrot species that will add a splash of color to your home.

The 10 Blue Pet Birds and Parrot Species

1. Blue Budgerigar (Blue Parakeet)

The blue budgerigar is adored for their bright voice and vibrant plumage. They’re available in several colors, though blue is one of their most striking. Budgerigars are native to Australia and commonly known as parakeets in the U.S.A. They are among the most popular birds to keep as pets.

Budgerigars are easy to care for, small, and well-suited to first-time bird owners, which makes them popular in pet stores and rescues. They are also known for being easy to train and are quick to pick up on vocabulary.

Regardless of their color, budgies should always have companionship. They form strong bonds with their owners, but you should consider buying or adopting a pair or a small flock so your bird always has a friend.

2. Blue and Gold Macaw

One of the most recognizable parrots is the blue and gold macaw. If you’re looking for a vibrantly colored blue pet bird, the blue and gold macaw is a beautiful choice. Their undercarriage is entirely yellow, while their back and the top of their wings are a deep blue color. They also have green markings on their head.

Originally native to South America, macaws are loved for their ability to talk, their coloring, and their availability, though they can be costly. If you adopt one, remember they have long lifespans and might even outlive you.

Unlike some smaller birds, blue and gold macaws aren’t ideal for first-time owners. They need a great deal of space to stretch their wings, and they can be destructive.

3. Blue-headed Pionus

The blue-headed pionus, or blue-headed parro, is predominantly green, but their heads are such a vibrant shade of blue that they’ve earned a place on this list. They’re intelligent, curious, sociable, and highly affectionate toward their owners. Like most other parrots, they are native to the southern parts of Central America and the tropical and subtropical areas of South America.

They’re a great choice if you prefer a small, quiet parrot. However, they are still noisy birds, even if they’re not as loud as other species. If you want a bird that is good at mimicking human speech, though, the blue-headed pionus isn’t the best choice. They’re not known for their speaking ability.

4. Blue-Masked Lovebird

The blue-masked lovebird can be a friendly and vibrant addition to your home. Their blue feathers, white collar, and black head give them an eye-catching appearance in the wild and in captivity.

These birds are rarely sold as individuals. They’re friendly creatures that do best as part of a pair, and breeders will sell them in twos to ensure they always have companionship. It can be challenging to build a bond with a pair of lovebirds, though, as their attention is mainly on the other. Most blue-masked lovebirds will still form a solid attachment to their owner and are easy to care for, making them suitable for beginners.

5. Blue Indian Ringneck Parakeet

The blue Indian ringneck parakeet was developed by selective breeding, but that doesn’t mean the color is any less vibrant than birds with natural blue feathers. They are hardy and adaptable, making them relatively easy to care for. Their most notable presence is in London, as one of the U.K.’s only naturalized parrot species, though you won’t see many blue parakeets in the wild.

They are highly sociable but are sensitive to loud noises. They form strong bonds with their owners but aren’t suited to families with children. Although they’re not one of the largest birds on this list, they still require a great deal of space to fly around.

6. Blue-Throated Macaw

An easy-to-recognize blue parrot is the blue-throated macaw. Native to Bolivia, they can bite and be destructive but are also highly intelligent and easy to train. Macaws are also well-known for their speaking ability, though some can only mimic speech.

Although they look incredibly similar to the blue and gold macaw, they’re different species, and there’s an easy distinction. The blue and gold macaw has black and green markings and blue and gold feathers, while the blue-throated macaw only has blue and gold coloring. Blue-throated macaws are also rarer and far more endangered, with only 350–450 remaining in the wild.

7. Hyacinth Macaw

If you’re looking for a completely blue pet bird, the hyacinth macaw is one of the finest examples. Their deep blue feathers are contrasted by the small yellow patches around their eyes and at the base of their beak. Like other macaws, they’re good at mimicking human speech but aren’t as skilled as some other species.

The hyacinth macaw isn’t one of the longest-lived parrots, but they still have long lifespans and can outlive their owners. They’re known to be affectionate but can cause accidental injuries by biting due to the size and strength of their beak.

Out of the blue parrot species on this list, the hyacinth macaw is one of the most expensive and isn’t recommended for novice bird owners.

8. Lear’s Macaw (Indian Macaw)

Named after Edward Lear, an English artist who often used the species in his work, the Lear’s macaw is easily mistaken for the larger hyacinth macaw. Besides being the smaller of the two nearly identical species, Lear’s macaw can be distinguished by the faint greenish hue on their feathers and their limited native range. They are considered endangered in the wild despite their popularity as pets.

Before they were classed as a separate species, Lear’s macaws were considered to be a hybrid of the hyacinth macaw and the glaucous macaw. They are among the rarest macaw species alive today, which makes finding them for affordable prices or at most pet stores a challenge. They’re often victims of poaching and the illegal pet trade.

9. Pacific Parrotlet

If you don’t have space or money for a full-size parrot, a parrotlet is basically a big parrot in a small package. They are much quieter than larger parrot species, but you can still teach them to mimic a few human words, even if they’re not the best at it.

Pacific parrotlets are mischievous, energetic, and intelligent, with an incredibly curious nature. You can get them in several colors, including a soft pastel blue. They were given the nickname “pocket parrots” due to their size and habit of hitching a ride in your pocket as you move around the house.

Although they’re among the cheaper birds available, they require a great deal of attention. They need plenty of activity and interaction with their owners. If they’re not handled enough, they can become moody and aggressive.

10. Quaker Parrot

The blue Quaker parrot, or the blue monk parakeet, only has two color varieties. Green is the most common, but they’re also available in blue due to selective breeding. They’re self-assured and not afraid to face off against larger species. Quaker parrots are also curious, highly intelligent, and hardy.

This species is one of the most controversial birds on this list. They’re illegal in some states due to the hazards that they pose to local crops, and they’re considered agricultural pests. Despite the controversy surrounding them, they form strong bonds with multiple people in the house, making them well-suited for families.

Should You Own a Blue Pet Bird?

Finding a species with the perfect shade of blue feathers is a delight. However, pet birds require a great deal of care and can be pretty expensive. Some of the larger parrots, like the hyacinth macaw, can cost around $10,000, which doesn’t include the cost of their cage or other supplies.

You should also consider that many of the species are endangered. They might be popular pets, but their numbers in the wild are decreasing, and illegal poaching for the pet trade is often one of the reasons. If you decide to purchase a pet bird, research the breeder and the bird’s origins to make sure they’re not a wild bird being sold illegally.

Owning a pet bird isn’t the only way that you can help. If you can’t afford a pet bird of your own, consider donating to one of the conservation agencies dedicated to protecting the wild population. You’ll be able to save your favorite blue-colored birds even if you can’t afford to keep one of your own.

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer pastel blue or a deeper shade, there’s bound to be a blue pet bird that you’ll fall in love with. Not all the birds listed here are good matches for new bird owners, and you should consider their personality, cost, and maintenance needs before settling on your final choice.

Remember to consider your budget too. Many large parrot species cost a small fortune even before you buy the necessary supplies. To keep them and yourself happy, you’ll need to carefully consider your existing monetary responsibilities and ensure you can afford to keep one.

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