There are many species of parrot, but few as striking and magnificent as green parrots. Though all are smart and social creatures, green parrots are actually a variety of species and come in many different sizes, accent colors, and temperaments.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the most common types of green parrots that are kept as pets and some basic information on each. Hopefully, this list will give you a better idea of which elegant green parrot you might want to take home.
The 8 Best Green Parrots to Keep as Pets
1. Budgerigar
Image Credit: webandi, Pixabay
Length: 6-8 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
Life expectancy: 5-8 years
Colors: Green body; yellow and black back and wings; dark blue tail; yellow head; variations including blue, white, yellow, and gray
The Budgie, or Parakeet, is one of the most common green parrots that are kept as pets. Though predominantly green, their main secondary color is a greenish-yellow striped with black.
They need quite a bit of exercise, but their small size means that the Budgie can be housed in a much smaller enclosure than many parrots.
The Budgerigar is a social, intelligent little bird that will flourish with plenty of mental and physical exercise.
Related Read: 7 Pets That Don’t Smell
2. Pacific Parrotlet
Image credit: Cynoclub, Shutterstock
Length: 4-8 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
Life expectancy: 20 years
Colors: Various shades of green on head and body; some blue on the back, with some variations in color including white, yellow, and blue
A lively and loveable little bird, the Pacific Parrotlet is also commonly called the “pocket parrot.” Small, but also smart and active, this bird will benefit greatly from several hours a day of exercise and playtime.
They can be quite affectionate with their owners but are prone to biting when not handled often.
3. Lovebird
Image Credit: Eckhard Lietzow, Shutterstock
Length: 5-7 inches
Weight: 2 ounces
Life expectancy: 15-20 years
Colors: Predominantly green but a huge variety of other colors including peach, white, blue, yellow, red, orange
Though the many subspecies of Lovebirds have a vast range of color variation, the majority are predominantly green. Lovebirds mate for life and do not do well as a solo bird.
Lovebirds can be as sweet as the name implies but require extensive socialization and regular handling to maintain their docility. If neglected, a Lovebird will become bitey.
4. Green-Cheeked Conure
Image Credit: bluepaints, Pixabay
Length: 10-11 inches
Weight: 2-3 ounces
Life expectancy: 30 years
Colors: Green wings and back; olive cheeks; red tail; blue wingtips; grey-white breast and head; variations including yellow, turquoise, and nutmeg
As you might expect, these birds are named for their olive-green cheek patches on their grey heads. The rest of their body is mainly a bright, almost fluorescent green with other colorful markings.
Green-Cheeked Conures are sweet, playful birds that often bond quickly with their owners. They need plenty of attention and exercise, as these birds are likely to pick their feathers out when bored or lonely.
5. Quaker Parrot
Image Credit: Pabloavanzini, Shutterstock
Length: 11-12 inches
Weight: 3-5 ounces
Life expectancy: 20-30 years
Colors: Green head, wings, and body; grey face and breast; blue wingtips; variations including albino, nutmeg, blue, pied, and lutino
Also known as the “Monk Parakeet,” Quaker Parrots are playful, outgoing, and highly social. They love attention from humans and other birds, and some bond with one person in particular.
When properly socialized, they are sweet and gentle pets. Quaker Parrots are also entertainers and excel at mimicking sounds and singing.
6. Indian Ringneck Parakeet
Image Credit: TheOtherKev, Pixabay
Length: 14-17 inches
Weight: 4 ounces
Life expectancy: 20-30 years
Colors: Shades of green on body, wings, and head; yellow under the wings; blue tail; red and orange beak; males have a rose and black ring around the neck
The Indian Ringneck Parakeet birds are most commonly a cool, pastel green but are bred in a variety of shades. The most striking coloration is the black and rose-colored rings around the neck on males.
They are highly intelligent and need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to flourish. These birds are not appropriate for inexperienced owners, as most go through a teenage period of hormonal aggression.
See Also: Can Parrots Crossbreed (Hybrid Parrots)?
7. Male Eclectus
Image Credit: Audioscience, Shutterstock
Length: 17-20 inches
Weight: 13-19 ounces
Life expectancy: 30 years
Colors: Almost entirely emerald green; orange beak; blue and red under the wings
The Male Eclectus is a large, brilliantly emerald green parrot. Interestingly, only the male Eclectus is green. Females are mainly bright red, but both have blue coloration under their wings.
Eclectus are incredibly social and loving, but also sensitive and easily stressed out when neglected. Due to their size, they require a significant amount of space for their enclosure and plenty of exercise.
8. Amazon Parrot
Image Credit: fiz_zero, Shutterstock
Length: 15-17 inches
Weight: 16-23 ounces
Life expectancy: 50 years
Colors: Green body; white around eyes; yellow head; red underwings; tan beak
The Amazon Parrot is one of the largest green parrots kept as pets. There are multiple species of this recognizable bird, the most common of which are the double Yellow-Headed Amazon, the Blue-Fronted Amazon, and the Yellow-Naped Amazon.
As with many parrots, the Amazon is very social and intelligent. Their large size and keen minds mean that you should provide these birds with ample room to play, exercise, and interaction with you.
Last Thoughts
Green parrots are strikingly colored, highly intelligent, and sociable pets. Depending on the type, they can also be incredibly long-lived. For example, Eclectus, Quaker, and Indian Ringneck Parrots all regularly live to be over 20 years old!
Choosing a parrot as a pet can be a seriously long-term commitment. Be sure that you can provide the care that these bright, active, attention-loving birds require for many years to come.
We hope this breakdown of the most common green parrots kept as pets will help you figure out which of these beautiful birds might be the right companion for you.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
