The Field Guide

Pet Birds

Pet Birds articles from Beauty of Birds: expert, ethical guidance on caring for and training pet birds.

Two blue and gold macaws face to face, one holding a red berry in its beak

The Greater Vasa Parrots

The Greater Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis vasa) is one of the most unusual parrots in the world; and their popularity has grown amongst aviculturalists and the pet bird owners.

Two blue and gold macaws face to face, one holding a red berry in its beak

Painted Conure (Pyrrhura picta)

Painted Conure prefers dense and tall trees and tends to move around a lot. They are conspicuous through their loud calls but are difficult to detect in the foliage because of their camouflaging plumage.

White-headed Pionus or Speckle-faced Parrot

The White-headed Pionus (Pionus seniloides) may be classified as a subspecies of the Plum-crowned Parrots (Pionus tumultuosus seniloides) but this is controversial and it is sometimes classified as a separate species, Pionus seniloides.

Two blue and gold macaws face to face, one holding a red berry in its beak

Swainson’s Blue Mountain, Swainson’s Blue Mt. Lorikeet

The Swainson's Lory (Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus) is endemic to Torres Strait, Eastern and South Australia. This lory is endangered in its natural habitat (Cites II), although they are relatively common within their native range, habitat loss is taking a toll on this species.

Two blue and gold macaws face to face, one holding a red berry in its beak

Blue-bellied Parrots aka Purple-bellied Parrots

The Blue-bellied Parrots aka Purple-bellied Parrots (Triclaria malachitacea) are endemic to the coastal forest of southeastern Brazil from Rio Grande do Sul north to southern Bahia. Seasonal migrations have been observed.

Two blue and gold macaws face to face, one holding a red berry in its beak

Derbyan Parakeets or Derbyan Parrots

The Derbyan Parakeets are larger than most parakeets. Adult Derbyans average 20 inches (50 centimeters). It is said to be similar in size to the popular Alexandrine Parakeet.

Two blue and gold macaws face to face, one holding a red berry in its beak

Newton’s Parakeets / Rodriguez Ring-necked Parakeets

The Newton's Parakeets (Psittacula exsul) are endemic to the forests of the island of Rodrigues, a dependency of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. It was about 40 cm (16 in) long and mostly a slate grey colour, which is unusual for a Psittacula, generally a genus of mostly green parrots.

Two blue and gold macaws face to face, one holding a red berry in its beak

Peach-fronted Conures

Peach Fronted Conures (Aratinga Aurea) are native to Brazil, south of the amazon and eastward to Rio Madeira, eastern Bolivia, Mato Grosso, and San Paulo.

White-bellied, White-breasted, Apricot-headed or Yellow-thigh Caiques

White Bellied Caiques (Pionites leucogaster) -- also known as White-breasted, Apricot-headed or Yellow-thigh Caiques or Parrots - are endemic to Brazil and eastern Peru. This Caique is one of two species of parrot in the genus Caique (Pionites); the other species being the Black-headed Caique or Parrot.

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