Birds are becoming more popular in the United States because many have long lifespans, are easy to raise, are fun to watch, and have brightly colored feathers. However, not all birds are friendly and require a more experienced owner to manage them. If you are new to birds and want to find the friendliest breeds available, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll review several of the most sociable birds and let you know which ones like being pettted and which enjoy cuddling with you while watching television.
Top 10 Friendliest Pet Birds:
1. Pionus Parrot
| Size: | 10-11 inches |
| Weight: | 8-9 ounces |
| Colors: | Olive green, white, red |
The Pionus is a medium-sized parrot from Mexico, also called the Speckle Face Parrot or Scaly Headed Parrot. It has a chunky body with a short tail. The eye ring can vary in color, and the plumage can be several colors but is usually olive green with white, red, and deep blue accents. The Pionus is becoming easier to find thanks to protective breeding that helps preserve their natural habitat.
2. Dove
| Size: | 11-13 inches |
| Weight: | 5-8 ounces |
| Colors: | Grey, brown, black, white |
The domesticated Dove is one of the friendliest birds you can purchase. It’s gentle enough to have around children and rarely bites or becomes aggressive toward other birds. It’s easy to train and doesn’t get upset when you are away like other birds. The only complaint we ever hear about these birds is that they are not as colorful as others.
3. Budgerigar
| Size: | 7-8 inches |
| Weight: | 1-2 ounces |
| Colors: | Green, yellow, black, blue |
The Budgerigar is a smaller-sized bird with a long tail. In many parts of the United States, the bird goes by another name, the Parakeet, and there is a good chance you will find one at your local pet store. Budgerigars have been popular for quite some time because they are friendly and easy to maintain. Their small size means you don’t need a large cage, and they get along well with other birds.
4. Eclectus
| Size: | 12-13 inches |
| Weight: | 13-16 ounces |
| Colors: | Orange, green, purple, blue, red |
The Eclectus is another friendly and easy-to-manage parrot. It grows to about a foot tall and weighs close to 1 pound when fully grown. It’s extremely colorful and friendly, which makes it a favorite among many bird lovers. Males are usually predominantly green, while the females are a deep red.
Pet Birds That Like to Be Handled
5. Canaries
| Size: | 5-8 inches |
| Weight: | Less than 1 ounce |
| Colors: | Yellow, orange, brown, grey, green |
The domestic Canary is another popular bird in the United States. Its small size allows it to reside in a smaller cage, and it enjoys attention, such as being taken out of its cage and petting it on the head. It will often stay with you as you walk around the house and will always be happy to see you.
6. Finch
| Size: | 4-8 inches |
| Weight: | Less than 1 ounce |
| Colors: | Red, orange, yellow, green, blue |
You can find the Finch all over the United States, but these tiny birds also make fantastic pets and love when you scratch them on the head and carry them around your home. They are available in a wide range of colors that are all bright and pleasing to look at. Finches like to sing pleasant melodies and prefer to live in small groups.
Birds That Cuddle the Most
7. Cockatoos
| Size: | 12-24 inches |
| Weight: | 8–10 ounces |
| Colors: | Black, grey, white |
Cockatoos are the first bird on our list of cuddling birds. While they don’t exactly lay down on your lap like a cat or dog, Cockatoos have an insatiable need to stay near their owners and will often sit on their shoulders or hands whenever the opportunity arises. They’ve become popular in pirate stories, and their friendliness and ability to learn words make them one of the best birds to own.
8. Cockatiels
| Size: | 12-13 inches |
| Weight: | 2–4 ounces |
| Colors: | Cinnamon, gold, olive, white, blue |
Cockatiels are like miniature Cockatoos but are a little more colorful and easier to manage. They can learn several words and mimic sounds they hear around the home, especially if they notice some sounds that get you to move, like the doorbell. Like Cockatoos, Cockatiels like to be near you and will stand on your body when they can.
If you’re new to the wonderful world of cockatiels, you’ll need a great resource to help your birds thrive. We highly recommend taking a closer look at The Ultimate Guide to Cockatiels, available on Amazon.
This excellent book covers everything from the history, color mutations, and anatomy of cockatiels to expert housing, feeding, breeding, and health care tips.
- Related: White-Faced Cockatiel
9. Conures
| Size: | 9-10 inches |
| Weight: | 2–4 ounces |
| Colors: | Green, orange, yellow, black, white |
Conures are colorful parrots that can learn to talk and imitate sounds they hear in your home. This bird enjoys head rubs and standing on your shoulder or head. It doesn’t learn words as quickly as the other birds, but that gives you an excuse to spend more time with it. Conures are easy to maintain and usually get along with other birds as well as they do with people.
10. Green-Winged Macaw
| Size: | 3-9 inches |
| Weight: | 2–4 ounces |
| Colors: | Green, orange, yellow, red |
The Green-Winged Macaw is an amazing bird that often grows to more than 3 feet tall, making it the largest bird on this list. However, despite its large size, it loves to be near its owner and will often pester you for head rubs, even at night. The Green-Winged Macaw is one of the most loving birds you can buy, and its lifespan often exceeds 50 years.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed reading this list and found a few birds you like. Our favorites are the talking Cockatoos and Cockatiels, but if you are looking for something a little quieter, the Dove and Finch are soft chirping birds that won’t annoy your neighbors. If we have helped you choose your next pet, please share this guide with the 10 friendliest pet birds on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit by Panga Media, Shutterstock
