Macaws are truly majestic parrots. They range in size from the smallest Hahn's Macaw to the largest Hyacinth Macaw. The colors are vibrant and range from every color in the rainbow. Macaws are independent, playful & mischievous. They require social interaction with their human companions; instructional play & foraging toys to keep their minds stimulated and release physical energy. Macaws are loud at times, so this should be taken into consideration. They are highly intelligent and learn some words and phrases. If you are not easily intimidated by these playful extroverts, and have the time and living space for them, a beautiful Macaw may be just right for you.
Types of Macaws:
Hahn's
Blue & Gold
Scarlet
Greenwing
Hyacinth
African Greys:
African Greys are known to be the best talkers in the parrot world. It is said that Greys are capable of developing the intellectual and emotional intelligence equal to a five year old child. Greys are not normally known for being loud, such as a Cockatoo or Macaw. They enjoy social interaction with their human companions. Foraging and instructional play & toys are a must for Greys so they do not become bored. They are wonderful companion parrots & reward their guardian with a strong emotional bond & many, many years of entertainment.
Types of African Greys:
Congo
Timneh
Cockatoos:
Cockatoos are loving and affectionate parrots. They may learn a few words or phrases, but normally their vocabulary is limited. Cockatoos love to cuddle & require a lot of attention from their human companions. They are very intelligent & need instructional play as well as cuddle time to avoid negative behaviors. Cockatoos are not suggested for households where the parrot will spend a lot of time alone or for people with allergies. With a proper diet & nurturing guidance techniques, Cockatoos can be a wonderful life long companion.
Types of Cockatoos:
Moluccan
Umbrella
Goffin's
Bare Eyed
Rose Breasted
Citron Crested
Sulfur Crested
Amazon Parrots:
Amazon parrots by nature are affectionate & loyal. There are many varieties within this species. They are very intelligent and need a lot of interaction with their human companions as well as toys to keep them busy. Boredom is the worst thing for an Amazon or any parrot for that matter. The Amazon can lose its friendly nature if not given enough to occupy its time; this may lead to aggression & behavioral problems. Their talking ability is excellent & they tend to be quick learners. They also can be loud, so this must be taken into consideration depending on your living arrangements. The right human companion will be rewarded with a lifetime of love and loyalty from the beautiful Amazon parrot.
Eclectus Parrots:
Eclectus parrots are affectionate & intelligent, with mellow personalities. Females are violet-blue & red; males are green with red & turquoise under the wings. Many say they equal African Greys in their talking abilities, & are not shy about it. In fact, most would rather talk than squawk. If socialized they will go to anyone and make great family pets, bonding equally with everyone that takes the time to get to know them. They require a special diet, rich in fruit, dark green leafy vegetables & nuts in order to maintain their health and coloring. The Eclectus may be the perfect pet for your family.
Caiques Parrots:
Caiques (pronounced Kye-eek) are very beautiful little parrots with yellow, white, green, black, and orange feathers which continue to grow ever more striking with each molt over the first couple of years. They are known as the "Clowns" of the parrot family, as they are extremely active and need a variety of toys to keep them occupied. They love playing with other Caiques & get pretty rambunctious about it, tumbling and rolling around on their backs. They do tend to only socialize with their own species, so if you already have another smaller size parrot, don't expect a friendship to develop. So, if it is entertainment you are looking for in a small package, one or two Caiques will fit the bill.
Conure Parrots:
Conures are beautiful bundles of energy. There are many varieties within the Conure species, the best known being the Sun Conure. Most Conures bond with their owners very well, especially if kept as a single bird. They love to preen your hair or snuggle up in your shirt pocket. Most can learn a word or two or three, however, the Blue Crown Conure is by far the best talker of this species. They love to sleep in snuggle tents at naptime. Everything is a potential toy to the Conures, especially if it can be shredded, such as paper. They can be a bit loud at times for their size, so they are not a good choice for those in apartments. Conures greet you with excitement when you come home after a long day. They probably won't bring you your slippers and the newspaper, but they would love to snuggle with you on the couch.
