8 Most Vibrant Pet Birds for Bird Lovers

Explore the brightest avian companions you can keep at home.

Rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) perching on branch, Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England, UK
Credit: Colin Langford / Getty Images

Pet birds, such as parrots, display a range of colors, often combining only two or three hues. For those seeking to adopt a new feathered friend that is extraordinarily multi-colored, there are a few striking species to select from. Here is a look at the eight most multi-colored and impressive looking pet bird species to help you compare their plumage.

  • 01 of 08

    Sun Conure

    a pair of sun conures on a perch
    Credit:

    Subir Basak/Getty Images

    Sun Conures are medium-sized parrots, renowned for their vibrant, multicolored plumage and deep violet tail markings, creating an impressive visual display. They are even more stunning in person than in photographs.

    Species Overview

    Length: 12 inches

    Weight: 4 to 5 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Bright orange and yellow with highlights of green and blue; black beak and feet; white circles around eyes

  • 02 of 08

    Jenday Conure

    jenday conure holding up its foot
    Credit:

    Paul Atkinson/Getty Images

    Closely resembling Sun Conures, Jenday Conures are vibrant South American parrots. Often mistaken for juvenile Sun Conures, Jenday Conures are adults that display a fiery blend of colors.

    Species Overview

    Length: 12 inches

    Weight: 4 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Red-orange plumage on the body; green wings and back; blue on tail and trimming wings; yellow head with orange patches; black beak; gray legs

  • 03 of 08

    Rainbow Lorikeet

    two lorikeets perched on a branch
    Credit:

     

    Sebastian Nebel/Getty Images

    Rainbow Lorikeets are strikingly beautiful birds native to Australia. Equipped with brush-tipped tongues for drinking nectar, their vibrant plumage and charming personalities make them delightful pets for suitable caretakers.

    Species Overview

    Length: 10 to 12 inches

    Weight: 3 to 6 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Blue plumage on face and belly; green on wings, back, and head with red breast; yellow and orange highlights on sides; red beak, gray feet

  • 04 of 08

    Scarlet-Chested Parakeet

    scarlet-chested parakeet on a branch
    Credit: Ltshears/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

    Scarlet-Chested Parakeets, or "Splendid Parakeets," belong to the grass parakeet family and are among the most vibrantly colored ​small bird species available as pets. Use caution if you are interested in adopting one of these birds, though, as they have a reputation for being harder to tame than some other types of hookbill birds.

    Species Overview

    Length: 8 inches

    Weight: 2 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: A rainbow of dark blue, sky blue, red, green, and yellow; dimorphic red chests (males), green chests (females)

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  • 05 of 08

    Eclectus Parrot

    female eclectus parrot
    Credit:

    Kuksy Makota/EyeEm/Getty Images

    Eclectus Parrots are large, striking birds known more for their vivid color brilliance than color variety. These dimorphic parrots, hailing from Australia, allow gender distinction through feather color and are treasured by bird enthusiasts globally.

    Species Overview

    Length: 17 to 20 inches

    Weight: 13 to 19 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Primarily emerald green, red and blue under wings, and orange beak (male); primarily bright red, blue on chest and tail, and black beak (female)

  • 06 of 08

    Scarlet Macaw

    scarlet macaw flying
    Ara macao. A free flying scarlet macaw at the Rocher des Aigles center for birds of prey. The park participates in a number of captive breeding programs for threatened and endangered species of birds. Credit:

    Francia Apesteguy/Getty Images

    Scarlet Macaws are renowned for their vivid colors, bold personalities, and advanced mimicry skills. These large parrots can learn short phrases and occasionally even sing parts of songs, making them captivating companions.

    Species Overview

    Length: 31 to 38 inches

    Weight: 32 to 39 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Vivid red with yellow and blue on wings and tail; white circles around eyes; tan upper bill and black lower bill; black feet

  • 07 of 08

    Rosella

    Crimson rosella (juvenile), Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria, Australia, Pacific
    Credit: Jochen Schlenker / robertharding / Getty Images

    Crimson Rosellas are Australian parrots, less inclined toward cuddling compared to other parrots. While they may perch on a shoulder, they often dislike petting. If sufficiently tame, Rosellas make fine companions for cautious individuals or children, although biting is possible. 

    Species Overview

    Length: 10 to 14 inches

    Weight: 6 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Dimorphic species: vivid red with patches of bright blue on their faces and wings; black feathers highlight the feathers on their backs; long blue tail feathers(males); dark greenish patch above the middle of their tail feathers (females)

  • 08 of 08

    Canary

    Canary bird
    Credit:

    DircinhaSW/Getty Images

    A small finch, the wild Canary originates from the Macaronesian Islands, including the Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands. Wild Canaries are typically greenish-yellow with yellow underparts. Domesticated canaries, however, have been bred in various bright colors, such as orange, white, red, and yellow.

    Species Overview

    Length: 5 to 8 inches

    Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce

    Physical Characteristics: Feathers of bright yellow (most common), red, orange, or white; some varieties have head crests or frilly feathers