8 Best Companion Birds

Good things come in small packages, and small birds can make excellent companions. They are generally easier to care for than many larger bird species, and their size makes them a bit quieter. But small birds also have big personalities. Some prefer to live with other birds, while others can be left alone as long as they have enough human contact. Here is a short list of the 8 best companion birds.

Finch

Finches are ideal for people who enjoy watching birds but don’t want to handle them. They are somewhat shy and appreciate the company of other finches more than humans. Finches as pets are usually comfortable in flocks of three to five and require a spacious cage in which to fly, as this is often their only exercise space. There are many species of finches, including the Zebra Finch, the Gouldian Finch, and the Society Finch.

Species Description :

• LENGTH: 4 inches
• WEIGHT: 0.5 oz.
• PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Black and white stripes on the throat, orange cheek patches, and reddish-orange bill (male zebra finch); gray coloring all over the body and less vivid bill (female zebra finch).

Canary

Native to the islands of Micronesia, canaries are known for their glossy plumage and beautiful song. Like other members of the finch family, these small birds do not tolerate handling well. But if they are well trained, they can learn to perch on a human. House a canary in a spacious flight cage, especially if you have no other safe place for it to fly. Also, it is often necessary to keep canaries singly, as they can be very territorial.

Species description

• LENGTH: 5 to 8 inches
• WEIGHT: 0.5 to 1 ounce.
• PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Bright yellow (most common), red, orange, or white plumage; some species have crests on the head or ruffled feathers.

Budgerigar

Budgerigars, also known as parakeets, are small birds with big personalities. One of the smallest parrots, budgies come in a variety of colors and can learn to talk. These intelligent birds need lots of toys and social interaction to keep them happy. If you can’t spend enough time with your budgie, you should keep at least two to avoid loneliness.

Species Description :

• LENGTH: 6 to 8 inches
• WEIGHT: 1 ounce
• PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Green belly; black and yellow back; yellow head; dark blue tail; mutations: blue, yellow, white, and gray.

Parrotlet

Parrots also called “pocket parrots,” don’t seem to know how small they are. Like their cousin, the giant Amazon parrot, parrots tend to have a sassy, comical personality and crave attention. They need to be adequately handled, as they have a reputation for becoming bitey if not properly trained. They are also active birds and need to spend several hours outside the cage each day.

Species Description :

• LENGTH: 4 to 5 inches
• WEIGHT: 1 ounce
• PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Greenhead and body; blue on the back and behind eyes; mutations include blue, yellow, and white.

Bourke’s Parakeet

Bourke’s parakeets are generally gentle birds. These Australian natives tend to bond closely with their people and get along well with other peaceful birds, such as finches. However, their gentle nature can make them a target for more aggressive birds. They are only moderately active but require at least a few hours of exercise outside the cage each day.

Species Description :

• LENGTH: 7 to 9 inches
• WEIGHT: 2 ounces
• PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Brown plumage, pink belly, blue rump, tawny bill; males have a blue crest, while females have a white crest.

Lovebirds 

As their name suggests, lovebirds are comfortable in pairs. However, even a single bird can do well with a dedicated keeper. Lovebirds don’t like to be alone and can develop behavioral problems, such as biting, if neglected. They are also quite noisy, emitting high-pitched whistles not expected from such a small bird. The most common species kept as pets are Fisher’s bird, the Black-faced masked bird, and the Peach-faced lovebird.

Species description

• LENGTH: 5 to 7 inches
• WEIGHT: 2 ounces
• PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Short tail; somewhat stocky build; many color variations, including green, blue, peach, yellow and white; face and body are often different colors.

Green-cheeked Parakeet

Green-cheeked parakeets are popular for their playful and affectionate nature, but require proper handling to avoid behavioral problems. Native to South America, they quickly learn tricks and games (although most do not speak). However, they are prone to peck at feathers if bored or neglected.

Species Overview

• LENGTH: 10 to 11 inches
• WEIGHT: 2 to 3 ounces
• BODY CHARACTER: Predominantly green; olive cheek spots; gray breast and head; maroon tail; blue flight feathers; mutations include turquoise, yellow, and cinnamon.

Cockatiel

Native to Australia, the cockatiel is prized for its friendly nature. When properly socialized, they tend to be good-natured birds that adore people. They are generally not noisy but can learn to whistle excellently. A single cockatiel is fine as long as you give them plenty of attention. Otherwise, a pair of birds can also keep each other company.

Species Overview

• LENGTH: 12 to 13 inches
• WEIGHT: 3 ounces
• BODY CHARACTERISTICS: Gray body; yellow face and crest; orange cheeks; long tail; mutations include albino, lutino, pied, anda cinnamon.