You stop by a bird shop or visit the aviary at the zoo, and there can be various types of parrots. You study them and start wondering, “What kinds of parrots are there anyway? How many kinds of parrots are there?”
There are actually more than 350 types of parrots when all species and subspecies in the group are considered. Many of the most common types of parrots are from Australasia and the tropics.
Parrot families
All parrots, of any type or race of parrots, belong to the scientific order Psittaciformes. That scientific order is divided into two different families of parrots: Cacatuidae and Psittacidae.
The Cacatuidae family includes only the cockatoo, a bird native to Australia and the islands near that continent.
The second family of parrots, the Psittacidae, includes all types of true parrots.
Cockatoos
To most people, the cockatoo is a large white parrot with a feathered head crest that can soar in majestic splendor. However, that is only one of the types of parrots in this family. There are 21 different cockatoos and not all of them are white.
1. The palm cockatoo is mostly dark gray, with red patches on the cheeks below the eyes, patches on the cheeks that change to a more intense red when the bird is excited or alarmed.
2. The male of the gang-gang cockatoo is dark gray with a cherry-red head and a red crest. This type of parrot is often called a red-haired cockatoo.
3. Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is often called a Pink Cockatoo because of its soft pastel pink hue.
4. The cockatoo’s plumage is medium gray on top, lighter gray below. It has an orange cheek patch and a prominent white glow on its wings. It has a much longer tail than the other cockatoos.
Therefore, cockatoos are not always a type of white parrot, and not all cockatoos have the same structure.
True parrots
This family includes all the other commonly known types of parrots. The list that follows is not meant to be exhaustive, but you will find types of parrots like these in this family:
1. African Grays – Said to be the most intelligent of all types of parrots. A large gray parrot with a red tail, some of these birds have vocabularies approaching 1,000 words or more.
2. Amazon: This popular type of parrot includes about 27 subtypes. Most are large, loving, and predominantly green.
3. Parakeets: Officially known as parakeet or parakeet, this type of parrot is small and colorful. It is one of the most popular parrot pets.
4. Conures: This type of parrot appears to be a group of large parakeets. With long tails and strong beaks, these “clowns” come in a variety of colors.
5. Eclectus: Eclectus parrots are unusual in their coloration. On one hand, males are bright green, with bright sweet corn-like beaks, blue or red tails and wings. Females, on the other hand, have red heads, blue chests, and the same red or blue wings and tails. Instead of the sweet corn appearance, they have black spikes.
6. Lovebirds: Lovebirds are a small and robust type of parrot, among the smallest in the world. Many are green, sometimes with red faces or eye rings.
7. Macaws: Originally from South America, this is the largest type of parrot in wingspan and length. The blue and gold macaw is especially beautiful.
8. Parrots: They may look like parakeets at first glance, but this type of small parrot has a wider body and tail than the parakeet.
9. Pionus: There are many types of parrots under the name Pionus parrot, and this larger and quieter parrot comes in many varieties of colors.
10. Quakers: This type of parrot is often called a monk parrot or gray-breasted parakeet. It is a name that comes from the facial plumage that resembles an old-fashioned Quaker costume.
There are many more types of parrots than this article can list or discuss, even superficially. You will find much more information in your library or bookstore.
The Best Types of Parrots for Kids Pets
A final question is this: “What types of parrots are there that would make good pets for children?”
Many children are attracted to large parrots because of their colors or their reputation for speaking well, but large types of parrots do not make good pets for children. They require firm handling and training, and do well as pets only when the owner has had experience with smaller parrots first.
The best type of parrot for a child’s pet is the parakeet, also known as a parakeet or parakeet. The small parakeet requires the least amount of care and is easily trained to speak and do tricks. Parakeets that are young, or those that do not have a cage mate, will learn more easily.