The best parrots for beginners tend to be smaller, adaptable birds that can become comfortable around people with patient handling, proper care, and regular interaction.
Budgies and cockatiels are often excellent choices for first-time parrot owners. Green-cheeked conures can also be rewarding companions for beginners who are prepared to provide additional attention, training, and enrichment.
No parrot is truly low-maintenance. Even small parrots need a properly sized cage, balanced nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, social interaction, and regular veterinary care.
Budgerigar (Budgie / Parakeet)
The budgie, also known as a budgerigar or parakeet, is one of the best parrots for beginners. These small parrots are intelligent, social, active, and capable of learning words and sounds.
- Size: About 7 inches
- Lifespan: Commonly around 5–10 years, although some live longer
- Personality: Social, active, curious, and intelligent
- Pros: Small size, manageable housing requirements, trainable, and entertaining
- Cons: Small and delicate, requiring gentle handling and appropriate care
Best for: First-time parrot owners who want a small, intelligent, and social companion.
Cockatiel
The cockatiel is another excellent choice for beginners. Cockatiels are generally social and gentle birds and are especially well known for their whistles, expressive crests, and engaging personalities.
- Size: About 12–13 inches
- Lifespan: Commonly around 10–20 years, although some live longer
- Personality: Social, gentle, active, and curious
- Pros: Often responsive to training, interactive, and generally quieter than many larger parrots
- Cons: Produce feather powder and require regular interaction, exercise, and enrichment
Best for: Beginners wanting a somewhat larger and highly interactive first parrot.
Green-Cheeked Conure
The Green-Cheeked Conure is a small, energetic parrot known for its playful personality. Green-cheeks can form strong relationships with their caregivers and enjoy climbing, exploring, training, and playing with toys.
- Size: About 10 inches
- Lifespan: Often 20 years or more with appropriate care
- Personality: Playful, curious, intelligent, and social
- Pros: Highly interactive, trainable, and generally less vocal than some larger conures
- Cons: Requires considerable interaction and enrichment and can sometimes be loud or nippy
Best for: Beginners prepared to devote more time to training, interaction, and enrichment.
Other Parrots Beginners May Consider
Parrotlet
Parrotlets are tiny parrots with surprisingly bold personalities. They are intelligent and active but can also be territorial or assertive. Their small size doesn’t necessarily mean they require less training or attention.
Lovebird
Lovebirds are colorful, intelligent, and energetic parrots. Properly socialized birds can become engaging companions, but they may also be assertive and require patient handling and training.
Quaker Parrot (Monk Parakeet)
Quaker parrots are intelligent, social birds that can become talented vocal mimics. They may also be noisy and protective of their cages or favorite spaces.
Ownership laws vary by location, so prospective owners should check current state and local regulations before obtaining a Quaker parrot.
Parrots That May Be More Challenging for Beginners
Larger and highly intelligent parrots such as African Greys, Macaws, Cockatoos, and Amazon parrots can make wonderful companions in appropriate homes, but they may present greater challenges for inexperienced owners.
These birds can require considerably more space, enrichment, training, social interaction, specialized care, and long-term planning. Some are extremely loud and have powerful beaks, and many can live for several decades.
A dedicated first-time owner can successfully care for one of these species, but it is important to understand the commitment before choosing one.
Tips Before Getting Your First Parrot
- Spend time around the species you’re considering before making a decision.
- Research its lifespan, personality, noise level, diet, cage requirements, and daily care.
- Consider adopting a bird from a reputable rescue. See also Adopting a Parrot.
- Make sure you have access to an avian veterinarian.
- Learn about proper nutrition rather than relying on a seed-only diet.
- Provide bird-safe toys, foraging opportunities, exercise, and social interaction.
- Consider whether you can care for the bird throughout its expected lifespan.
Which Parrot Is Best for a Beginner?
For many first-time owners, a budgie or cockatiel is an excellent place to start. Both are relatively small, intelligent, social, and capable of developing strong relationships with their caregivers.
A Green-Cheeked Conure can also be a good choice for someone prepared for a more demanding bird that requires additional interaction, enrichment, and training.
There isn’t one perfect beginner parrot for everyone. The best choice depends on your available space, schedule, tolerance for noise, budget, and how much daily interaction you can provide.
Before bringing any parrot home, research the species carefully and make sure you’re prepared for its nutritional, social, veterinary, housing, and enrichment needs throughout its life.
- See also Parrot Bird Cage: What to Know.