8 Best Trainable Pet Bird Species By Alyson Kalhagen Alyson Kalhagen Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds and has been featured in Bird Talk Magazine. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 07/25/25 Key Takeaways Macaws are known for their comical personalities and strong bonds with owners, living up to 100 years with proper care.African Grey Parrots are highly intelligent, with remarkable memories and emotional capacity, requiring daily socialization.Amazon Parrots are recognized for their large vocabularies and sociability, demanding considerable attention from owners. If you're looking for an intelligent, engaging, and trainable pet bird, there are many species to consider. Birds are highly intelligent and capable of solving puzzles, playing games, performing tricks, and vocalizing. However, some species particularly enjoy trick training and performing skills. Here's a look at eight captivating pet bird species for teachability and what makes them suitable or not for new trainers. Tip While some species are generally smarter, always evaluate the individual bird before committing. You might be surprised at their abilities. Environmental stress during rearing and genetic factors can significantly impact a bird's interest in vocalizing. Things to Consider Before Getting a Pet Bird 01 of 08 Macaws Credit: Amanda Yong / Getty Images Macaws from the South American rainforests are among the largest, most colorful, and popular parrots. You must be a committed partner with large, safe flight spaces to own one of these magnificent birds. Macaws have comical personalities and can be affectionate; they often form strong attachments to owners and can live up to nearly 100 years with proper care. Species Overview Length: 32 inches; half the total body length is in the tail feathersWeight: 35 ouncesPhysical Characteristics: Feathers of scarlet, light blue, yellow; flight feathers are dark blue, dark red, gold, sometimes green; white skin around the eyes 02 of 08 African Grey Parrots Credit: Liv Oom / Getty Images African Grey Parrots, or Congo Grey Parrots, are a single species from Central Africa's equatorial region. Often cited as the most intelligent birds on Earth, they have amazed everyone from casual bird owners to researchers with their remarkable memories and deep emotional capacities. Because of this, potential owners must ensure they can spend ample time socializing with their pet daily. Their lifespan ranges from 50 to 80 years. Species Overview Length: 13 inchesWeight: 15 to 18 ouncesPhysical Characteristics: Body feathers are varying shades of gray; tail feathers are red 03 of 08 Amazon Parrots Credit: Tambako the Jaguar / Getty Images Amazon Parrots, known for their beauty and entertainment value, are regarded by bird experts as excellent talkers. They can develop large vocabularies and tend to have clearer speech than many other species. Lovable and sociable, they require a lot of attention from their owners. Amazons come in various species. Species Overview Length: 13 to 15 inchesWeight: 7 to 25 ouncesPhysical Characteristics: Green body feathers; over 15 subspecies of Amazon Parrots with different head colorings 04 of 08 Cockatoos Credit: Tomekbudujedomek / Getty Images Cockatoos are sweet, loving, and highly intelligent parrots from Australia. They form strong bonds with their owners and can experience emotional distress if neglected. If you're a good match for a Cockatoo, you'll have an impressive companion bird that learns easily. Species Overview Length: 18 inchesWeight: 14 to 28 ouncesPhysical Characteristics: Mostly white body; some yellow feathers underneath the wings; reddish eyes in females, brown to black eyes in males Continue to 5 of 8 below 05 of 08 Budgies Parakeets Credit: J•Y Chen / Getty Images Budgerigars, or Budgies, pack intelligence, trainability, and personality into a tiny package. They can learn to talk as well as larger parrots and be trained to perform fun tricks that impress. However, they require a long-term commitment from their owners. Species Overview Length: 7 inchesWeight: 1 ouncePhysical Characteristics: Light green body with black wing markings and yellow head; captive-bred colors include blue, gray, green, white, violet, yellow/blue 06 of 08 Mynah Birds Credit: Neil Strickland / Flickr / CC by 2.0 Some Mynah bird species, part of the starling family, can also be conditioned to speak, much like parrots and songbirds. They learn to speak by mimicking their owners' voices. Species Overview Length: 9 inchesWeight: 4 to 5 ouncesPhysical Characteristics: Brown body, black hooded head with a bare yellow patch behind the eye; bills and legs are bright yellow 07 of 08 Lovebirds Credit: Danita Delimont / Getty Images Lovebirds are intelligent and inquisitive species. They excel at solving puzzles and learning quickly, making them remarkable cage escape artists. While not known for being chatty, they can learn some vocalizations if taught early. Species Overview Length: 5 to 6 inchesWeight: 2 ouncesPhysical Characteristics: Mostly green, orange upper body and head, blue lower back and rump, red beak, white eyerings 08 of 08 Canaries Credit: DircinhaSW / Getty Images Canaries are finches from the Canary Islands, renowned for their lovely singing voice. Initially fearful, these birds can be taught to interact with you vocally and physically up close. They can learn to perch on your finger, fly around the room, and return to you. Species Overview Length: 8 to 9 inchesWeight: 1/2 ouncePhysical Characteristics: Bright yellow, or whitish or reddish body Birds to Avoid All birds are smart problem solvers. If you're seeking a highly intelligent bird, choose ones reared by trainers. Avoid birds that have been bored and not challenged, as they may lag in cognitive development if they haven't had opportunities to 'learn how to learn. Explore more: Parrots & Pet Birds Pet Bird Species