A bright, colorful and friendly pet bird that likes to live in groups?

Question

My husband and I would really like to get a few pet birds. We would like some that like to live in groups because its fun to watch them interact with each other and its nice to see the beautiful bright colors in groups.


Smaller birds (but not tiny) and tamable (able to handle) pet birds would be ideal.

Another catch is, we have a cat who loves to hunt. I would not want to keep them in the house. I would like to have a large enclosure for them outside on the porch or backyard. I am able and very well know how to build a preditor proof cage for outdoors, just indoors we wouldnt have much room for something like that.

My MIL keeps her parakeets outside and only brings them in when it gets cooler out (we live in FL, so that's no big deal).

Is there anything else besides parakeets that you could suggest that would be ok living outdoors as long as it doesnt get too cold?

Advice appreciated. Thanks!

Thank you so much! So far I have taken into consideration the species you suggested, and Im looking at lovebirds and lorys more seriously. Im worried about the aggresivness issure and the noise issue, however. I may end up with parakeets just because of that. They are beautiful and friendly also, but I find the colors rather common and plain. If I could find a good source that offered more of the brilliant colors that would be great. I looked up the ringneck parakeets and they are beautiful also. I just wish they came in red!!

Ok no lory for me. Its going to be a lovebird (more likely it seems so far) or a parakeet.

So between the two, which is hardier, which is friendlier? Which is less expensive?

Oh this is too much fun! I cant wait to get my little birdy aviary all set up. Its going to be beautiful with live (non-toxic) plants, a small shallow waterfall feature (for bathing and drinking) and some vines and natural material for chewing and nest building. I also have to figure out how they would prefer to sleep. On perches, or inside a wooden box with a small hole, or both? Will they all sleep together or will they need separate bird houses?

Thanks guys! Im so excited now and you gave me a great place to start looking!

Answer 1

Well, the truth is that all species of parrots are very social and group oriented. All parrots can be tamed as well, and of course, all are very colourful. :)

Small birds that aren't budgies ("parakeets") would be parrotlets, lovebirds, cockatiels, and conures. Be aware that lovebirds and parrotlets are very territorial species and will attack and kill other birds both in or out of their "flock" if there isn't sufficient space for the birds to get away from each other when needed. Birds this size would need bar/wire spacing no larger than half an inch, or you risk the death or escape of them.

Generally cockatiels are great for first-time bird owners because they are open, friendly, and docile. They typically won't fight unless really provoked, they have sweet chirps that usually aren't too loud or head-splitting, but they're not exactly colourful. They usually come in shades of grey, some yellows, and some whites, but they're definitely very beautiful and well-mannered, which makes them easiest to tame of the ones I listed.

If you're headed for the conure route, DEFINITELY avoid aratingata species. They're brightly coloured and beautiful, but they're known for their screams and, I kid you not, you could hear one single aratingata (that being jenday, sun, blue crowned, etc.) scream from over two blocks away. It's shrill, loud, and many people are totally oblivious or unprepared for such a scream. You'll want something from the pyrrhura family. These conures are much calmer, more docile than their aratingata family, and closer to the manners of cockatiels.

All parrots can acclimate to temperatures, but if there are rapid fluctuations, they can fall ill. They tend to do better adjusting to cooler temperatures than hot, but they also come from warm climates. Overheating would probably be more of a problem than getting cold. I would say 50F is a good low for them, while around 110F would be too hot.

Also, since these will be outdoors, you'll definitely want to get them checked at least annually by a certified avian vet ( http://aav.org/vet-lookup to find one in your area) because they will be more prone to diseases outdoors, including but not limited to the diseases carried by other birds, other animals, transferred by air, and God forbid another case of avian flu arises somewhere. Better safe than sorry, always! And be prepared for the long term care. All parrots have a life span of at LEAST ten years, some well into the twenties when cared for properly.

Good luck.

ETA: Lorikeets are great, too, but they have very specific dietary needs, so I'm hesitant to suggest them. They don't eat dry foods the way other parrots do. They need sugary fruits and nectar and their poops are very sticky and can shoot, like, 20 feet in ANY direction (including up).

Answer 2

Perhaps you should consider Rainbow Lorikeets! They are extremely colourful (one of the most colourful of all parrot species), full of personality, and should do fine outside all year round in Fla. Their native range extends from the incredibly hot/wet areas of northern Australia right down to the cooler drier southern states and throughout the islands north of Australia. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures with no drama. They breed readily, are good talkers, and real clowns. Although many people would recommend against Lorikeets because they have a different diet, they are easy to care for, and in someways easier than seed eating parrots. Their poop is actually easier to clean than other parrots and their diet is a simple, just add water lorikeet food. All you need to do is add fruit and give fresh nectar daily, perhaps more frequently in hot weather and they are happy. Several of mine live inside with me, and I don't find the droppings to be any more bothersome than the perpetual seed scattering of my cockatoos and galahs.

Answer 3

How about Ringnecks?They are bigger parakeets-availiable in a variety of colors.I live in florida and now have a couple of ringnecks living outside in a huge cage-I absolutely love them.

Answer 4

I ain't gonna answer only the main question seeing i clicked on it.
didn,t reckon on getting your life history in the bargain, seeing you know so much any way,
A bright, colorful and friendly pet bird that likes to live in groups?
the best place I found was a night club in gateshead full of um al different bright coulours, lovely, mostly in small groups though.

Answer 5

cockateils