8 Amazing Talking Pet Birds You Can Bring Home Today
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Every pet parent wishes they could talk with their best animal buds, but some talking birds can actually learn a lot of words! Vocabulary size and voice vary by species, but all talking birds need lots of human quality time to learn human speech. Aside from their vocabulary, though, you should always look at the species’ lifespan, dietary requirements, and other unique health needs.
To help you find some of the right birds for you, we’ve compiled a guide with the most popular talking birds you can bring home today and start talking to.
The 8 Talking Pet Birds
1. African Grey
| Lifespan: | 45–60 years |
| Weight: | 14–18 ounces |
The most iconic talking bird in the world, the coveted African Grey is known to live 60 years or more as a pet. This makes them a lifelong commitment, but in that time, they can learn 100 or more human words.
Timneh African Greys are known to be more talkative than their Congo brethren, but every bird has their own unique personality and capacity for speech. Some African Greys can learn complex phrases and seem to use learned words in context, which is unusual for a talking bird.
2. Budgies
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Weight: | 1 ounce |
The delicate Budgie can learn up to 100 words, and most people recognize them from pet stores everywhere. A Budgie holds the Guinness World Record for words learned by a bird. The Budgie named Puck knew 1728 words before he died in 1994.
Budgies are a little slow to learn words at first, taking weeks or months to speak even one. After they start, though, it gets much easier, and they accumulate vocabulary like it’s nobody’s business.
3. Quakers
| Lifespan: | 20–30 years |
| Weight: | 3–5 ounces |
Also called Monk Parakeets, stylish blue-and-green Quaker Parrots are among the most sociable birds out there and they can acquire vocabulary very quickly. This makes them a great middle ground between a small bird and a big personality, but they’re not available everywhere.
Quakers have a reputation for being invasive, even though they don’t usually cause damage to agriculture. A number of states have banned owning them, including California, Tennessee, Georgia, and more.
4. Amazon Parrots
| Lifespan: | 30–60 years |
| Weight: | 12–24 ounces |
Amazon Parrots come in a range of tropical colorings and markings, but it’s their sweet, clear voice and gregarious persona that people fall in love with. They live up to 60 years with good care, and they develop an unshakable bond with their owner.
Not a low-maintenance bird, Amazon Parrots need a lot of socialization, space, and time to play. They are for active families that can keep up with their high energy levels!
5. Eclectus
| Lifespan: | 30 years |
| Weight: | 13–19 ounces |
Unlike other talking birds, the Eclectus Parrot actually lives longer in the wild than as a pet. They’re more of a medium-sized bird, and they’re less sociable than many of the birds listed above. Males, in particular, are laidback and docile compared to the feistier females. If they get enough quality time, Eclectus Parrots can learn 100 to 150 words.
6. Indian Ringneck Parrots
| Lifespan: | 25–30 years |
| Weight: | 4–5 ounces |
Indian Ringnecks have a long history as a favored pet of Indian royalty because they would repeat Hindu prayers, leading to the belief that they were sacred. Today, we know them by their green plumage and signature black ringed neck, but they can memorize up to 200 words. Ringnecks have also been known to mimic cats, dogs, and other sounds heard around the house.
7. Macaws
| Lifespan: | 30–50 years |
| Weight: | 16–32 ounces |
Macaws come in all colors and sizes, but they’re renowned for their bright tropical plumage and loud voice. They can’t learn as many words as other talking bird species, but they have a great singing voice and the ability to mimic environmental noises.
Macaws are often considered exotic bird species, but the Severe Macaw is perhaps the most popular species as a pet.
See Also: Types of Tropical Pet Birds & Where They Can Live
8. Cockatoos
| Lifespan: | 40–70 years |
| Weight: | 10–30 ounces |
Cockatoos come in a lot of sizes, from the small, red palm cockatoo to the large, dramatic Black Palm Cockatoos. They have a very clear voice but can only learn about 20 to 30 words or phrases. That may make them less desirable for their talking, but cockatoos are very loyal, cuddly pets that do well in nearly any household.
Conclusion
Talking birds make great companions for single people or families, and some can even learn to mimic your dog or cat. From the dainty, talented Budgie to the more wild Macaw, there’s a talking bird out there for anyone who’s willing to put in the work.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: Paul Brennan, Pixabay
