Best Family Parrots – 5 Parrots that love large families

Best Family Parrots

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Parrots can be wonderful additions to your family. But not all breeds have the same temperament.

Some birds tend to be more affectionate, and others need a lot more attention and training before they can become great pets.

Before you get a new parrot, it’s important to know all about the parrot’s temperament and care needs, especially if you have young children.

Let’s take a look at some recommendations for the best family-friendly parrots. 

If you’re looking for a suitable cage. Then read our reviews and recommendations here first!

5. Budgerigar Parakeet

budgie with family

Budgerigars ( commonly known as budgies or parakeets) are tiny multicolored birds that enjoy living in family homes. 

They don’t have a lifespan as long as most other parrots; they live for up to 15 years. 

Budgies are very social birds. They aren’t too demanding of attention but don’t do well if left completely in isolation. 

Because of their very small size, they tend to be delicate, so you need to hold back on the cuddles and avoid being handsy. 

One thing you’ll love about budgies is their great talking skills. These birds are among the most talkative of the parrots.

They are inclined to learn words and phrases easily. 

However, budgies are prone to obesity and other diseases, so they’ll need regular care and visits to the vet. 

Plus, they require a bit of taming to become really great pets.

Before they are tamed, they may bite. The good thing is that they are not difficult to tame. 

4. Meyer’s Parrots

myers parrot
The Meyers Parrots are affectionate birds and love being handled and scratched and tickled on the head.

Meyer’s Parrots are part of the Poicephalus family. They are usually not as loud as other parrots. 

If you are thinking of getting a parrot, but you’re worried about the noise, then a Meyer’s parrot may be just the bird for you.

Meyer’s parrots are typically calm and easy-going, making them perfect pets for homes with children. 

They are often lovable and interact very easily with people. 

Also, they rarely get over-excited or demanding. They have such cool attitudes; they can sit for hours chewing at a toy and enjoying what’s going on around them.

They don’t always demand to be the center of attention. 

Meyer parrots also love to entertain and can be quite acrobatic when the situation calls for it.

Plus, they are not likely to bite, making them one of the best pet birds. You need to train the bird from a young age to blend in with your family. 

3. Pionus

Pionus Parrots

Pionus Parrots don’t have the same bright plumage as most other parrots, but they still make great pet friends.

They are very gentle birds that play well even with young children. Plus they are very friendly and can interact well with many people to make a good friend for the whole family. 

Also, they are not too demanding, so they won’t overwhelm you with insistence for attention.

With some other parrots, you won’t be able to go out of the house for more than a few hours a day. A pionus, on the other hand, will be content entertaining itself for hours.

Most other parrots need some interactions and playtime with you outside of the cage.

With a pionus, outside time often involves sitting on top of the cage looking at what everyone is doing. 

Though the bird doesn’t demand attention, it does respond well to it.  It will sit and let you pet it for hours on end. They are not much of a talker, but you can teach them to say a few words or make some clicking noises.

Some will even learn to mimic the sounds around your home, like the doorbell or the beep of an alarm. 

They can live for up to 25 years. However, the birds are prone to some fungal infections and need to stay in a clean environment to thrive. 

2. Cockatiels

single cockatiel

These birds are arguably the most common parrot species in the USA. And for good reason too; they make great company. 

They tend to be less aggressive than most other parrots.

What’s more, they have a pleasant character and tend to enjoy human company.

They are also not hyper as most other small parrots, so they aren’t overwhelming to care for. 

The birds are often well-behaved and won’t bite, and they’re very playful, so kids will enjoy having them around. 

Cockatiels like human interaction and love to spend their time around your family.

The good thing is they don’t demand this attention — they are perfectly happy with as much or as little as you can give. 

Most cockatiels are not very noisy, with some exceptions, and don’t need a huge space to thrive. This makes them great pets even if you live in an apartment. 

Another great thing about cockatiels is that they don’t tend to over bond with one person.

Imagine having a family bird that only responds to one family member? Cockatiels can adjust very well to having multiple owners. 

They also have great voices; the whole family will enjoy hearing them talk or whistle a new tune (with some training, of course) 

If you don’t have much experience with birds, Cockatiels may just be the bird for you. They can live for up to 30 years, making them a lasting addition to your family. 

1. Conures

Conures

Conures are bright, colorful birds with a vibrant, bold personalities.

They are very smart and love interacting with people. Best of all, they enjoy cuddle time.  

Conures will be a colorful family member for many years; they can live for up to 30 years.

They tend to adapt well to family members and aren’t aggressive. They enjoy social interaction. 

Moreover, they are naturally very curious, which makes them respond positively to stimulation.

You will need to get lots of toys and provide entertainment to keep them stimulated.  

They tend to be playful and can be quite charming. Conures enjoy hanging around people— they’ll love to join you for dinner or family games. 

However, they can be noisy. In their excitement, they will scream or shriek for pleasure.

So they aren’t suited for small dwellings and tend to thrive on larger spaces with ample room to exercise. 

Final Thoughts

Parrots make a wonderful addition to your family. Choosing a family-friendly bird will allow the whole family to thrive.

Remember that all parrots need care and attention. That’s why you need to do some research before you settle on a breed so that you can provide the best for your bird. 

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