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8 White Pet Bird Species: Pictures, Care & More

Adam Mann

By Adam Mann

pair of white cockatiels in cage

There’s just something about a white bird that’s majestic, regal, and beautiful. And if you’re looking to bring home a white bird to care for, there are quite a few different options for you to pick from.

We’ve highlighted eight different white pet bird species you can bring home for you here, and we’ve also highlighted a few basic bird care tips you should know before getting one.

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The 8 White Pet Bird Species

1. Parrots

two white parrot birds perching
Image Credit: dangdumrong, Shutterstock
Size 9 to 10 inches long
Lifespan 25 to 35 years

When you think of parrots, you probably think of super colorful birds that can mimic everything you tell them. And while that’s true of a lot of parrots, there are certainly white parrots out there. Whether you’re looking for a parrot with some white coloring or a completely white parrot, there are plenty of birds to choose from.

Parrots have great personalities and are usually quite talkative, but to get them to learn a ton of words and phrases, you’ll need to work with them consistently.


2. Goffin’s Cockatoo

goffins cockatoo in cage
Image Credit: Murilo Mazzo, Shutterstock
Size 12 inches long
Lifespan 30 to 40 years

While plenty of white cockatoo species are out there, we need to highlight the Goffin’s Cockatoo specifically because of its all-white color, unique personality, and adorable appearance.

They’re extremely vocal birds and they can learn a ton of new tricks. And since they can live up to 40 years, you’ll have plenty of time to teach them new tricks and bond with them. But because they live so long, you really need to think about the long-term implications of getting one and how you will care for them throughout their entire life.


3. Doves

dove on a bird feeder
Image Credit: chrisjmit, Pixabay
Size 10 to 12 inches long
Lifespan 10 to 20 years

While you might not think of the dove as a pet bird if you’re not in the aviary world, they’re an outstanding bird choice for beginners. They’re not as vocal as parrots or cockatoos, making them a better choice for people who live in close quarters with others.

But while they’re not as chatty, they still have extremely sweet and loving personalities. However, if you are planning on getting a dove, we recommend getting a pair since they’re social creatures and typically don’t do well by themselves.


4. Cockatiels

blue White cockatiel
Image Credit: ONGUSHI, Shutterstock
Size 12 to 13 inches long
Lifespan 10 to 15 years

If you’re looking for a bird with no color other than white, a cockatiel isn’t the way to go. But when you see a white cockatiel, the few splashes of color aren’t what comes to mind. That’s because white cockatiels have white wings, backs, chest, and tail feathers, but they’ll usually have some splashes of color around their face and head feathers.

While cockatiels are a popular pet bird option, we recommend them for more experienced handlers because of their feisty personalities if you don’t bond with them enough. But if you dedicate the necessary time to them, the cockatiel is smart, curious, and loving.


5. Cockatoos

two white cockatoos perching
Image Credit: pojvistaimage, Shutterstock
Size 18 to 24 inches long
Lifespan 20 to 60 years

There are quite a few white cockatoo species out there, but if you’re looking at getting one, we recommend at least a little prior bird experience. That’s because while white cockatoos are beautiful and have sweet personalities, they also have very specific care requirements.

It’s easy to mess things up and get your bird pretty sick if you don’t know what you’re doing. Finally, white cockatoos need plenty of space to fly and move around, so if you don’t have large open spaces for them, we don’t recommend getting one.


6. Song Canary

white canary bird perching
Image Credit: Fernando Zamora Vega, Shutterstock
Size 6 to 7 inches long
Lifespan 10 to 15 years

Song canaries are one of the smaller bird options you can bring into your home, and they also have a shorter lifespan compared to many other birds. However, while they’re not going to chirp and chat in the same way as a parrot or a cockatoo, they’re still noisy little birds.

Many owners love the way they sound, but if you live in an apartment or other tight conditions with other people, they might not feel the same way! You can find song canaries in brown and yellow too, but white is a very common color option.


7. Parakeet

white parakeet in wooden floor
Image Credit: vintage_genes, Shutterstock
Size 7 to 12 inches long
Lifespan 7 to 15 years

Parakeets, also known as budgies, are an extremely popular pet option, and there are plenty of white color variations out there. White parakeets, known as albino parakeets, lack the color pigmentation other parakeets have.

Overall, an albino parakeet is almost identical to any other parakeet, but you should give them vitamin supplements to help prevent blindness. They need plenty of space and enrichment, but overall, they’re an excellent choice for first-time bird owners!


8. Finches

white finch birds in cage
Image Credit: Ane AJ Dhas, Shutterstock
Size 3 to 10 inches long
Lifespan 15 to 20 years

While most finches are not white, there are a few specific finches that come with white colors. Two of these variations are the Owl Finch and the Australian Zebra Finch. They’re both small birds that are pretty easy to care for.

But if you’re planning on getting a finch, you really shouldn’t get just one. They do well in pairs or as a part of a flock, which means you need to dedicate a bit more space to them.

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Tips for Owning Pet Birds

Before you bring home a pet bird, there are a few things you should know. The tips we’ve highlighted here are far from a comprehensive guide, but they’re a great starting point!

Don’t Use Air Fresheners or Scented Candles

Birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems and scented candles, oils, or air fresheners can cause very serious problems for your bird. Not only can it get them sick, but it can actually kill them depending on exposure levels.

Get a Great Vacuum

Birds make a mess, and you’ll need to clean out their cage each day to keep their habitat clean for them. Vacuuming is the easiest way to do this, and having a high-quality vacuum will make your life a lot easier.

cannister vacuum
Image Credit: monticello, Shutterstock

Invest Enough Time

Birds require a lot of time and energy to care for properly, and they’re not a short-term commitment. Be ready to commit at least an hour each day to them, and since they can live anywhere from 10 to 60 years, you need to be ready to commit that much time for a very long time.

Get Ready for Noise

While some birds are certainly louder and quieter than others, every bird is going to make noise. They also don’t care how early in the morning it is; once the sun is up, they’re going to start chirping. This makes birds an excellent choice for morning people but not so much for those that need a bit more time to sleep in after the sun comes up.

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Conclusion

Now that you know about all the different white pet bird options you can bring home, all that’s left is for you to pick your favorite, get everything you need to care for them, and then go out and get one!

All birds are going to take a bit of work to care for, but with sweet personalities and extremely high intelligence, they’re a great pet option that can provide you with companionship for decades to come!


Featured Image Credit: Creative arts gallery, Shutterstock

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