In nature, there are only a handful of wild birds with pink plumage. Flamingoes are usually the first that come to mind, but there are pink robins, finches, and spoonbills, too. Still, pink birds are rare, and their rarity makes them all the more beautiful.
With so few pink birds found in nature, it’s not surprising that even fewer are commonly kept as pets. In this article, we’ll look at five pet birds with beautiful pink plumage.
Top 5 Pink Pet Bird Species
1. Bourke’s Parakeet (Neopsephotus bourkii)
Native to Australia, the Bourke’s Parakeet may not be as vividly colored as other parrot species, but they have a beautiful chest full of vivid pink feathers. They are calm and gentle animals that are great for beginners and form strong bonds with their owners. They are intelligent birds but do not mimic speech or perform tricks like many other parrot species, although they are ideal for owners wanting a quiet, docile pet.
Bourke’s Parakeets are social and love to fly, so they are far better suited to an aviary with other parakeets than a cage. They are small birds, reaching only 7–8 inches high as adults, and they have a 20–25-year lifespan in captivity.
2. Corella (Cacatua sanguineat)
Also known as the Bare-Eyed Cockatoo, the Corella is a smaller cockatoo native to Western Australia and reaches 14–15 inches tall as an adult. They have gorgeous salmon-pink plumage and characteristic blue rings around their eyes that give them a somewhat sleepy appearance, but they are active and social animals known for their excellent mimicking skills. Cockatoos are known for being highly affectionate, and the Corella is no different. They form strong bonds with their owners, and they can become slightly overwhelming for some people.
Bare-eyed cockatoos are among the most affectionate and talkative cockatoos, but they can also be exceedingly noisy, so they are not ideal for apartment living. They need at least 3–4 hours per day of interactive play, making them a large responsibility.
3. Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis)
Also widely known as the Salmon Crested Cockatoo, the Moluccan Cockatoo bonds powerfully with their owners and thrives on plenty of social interaction. They are primarily white but have vivid pink feathers at the base of their large crest and salmon coloring on their chests and wings. They are large birds, reaching up to 20 inches in adulthood, and have exceedingly long lifespans, typically reaching 70 years or more in captivity.
Moluccan Cockatoos are known to be one-person birds, and once they bond with their owner, they are as affectionate as they come. They are not experts at mimicking speech but can make a great deal of noise, so they are not ideal if you have close neighbors around.
4. Pink-Headed Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus porphyreus)
The Pink-Headed Fruit Dove is native to Indonesia, and as you may have guessed by the name, they have vivid pink heads and throats. They are around 12 inches tall and live in captivity for 10–12 years. They are best suited for aviaries but can be trained to be handled with a bit of patience. They prefer a diet consisting of mostly fruit, and feeding them fruit from your hand is a great way to earn their trust.
5. Rose-Breasted Cockatoo (Eolophus roseicapilla)
The pinkest of all pink birds, the Rose-Breasted Cockatoo, also known as the Galah, is a beautiful bird with bright pink feathers on their chest, belly, and face. They are extremely intelligent and affectionate and require a great deal of attention and interaction with their owners. This, combined with their long lifespans of up to 70 years, makes them a big responsibility, and they are a comparatively high-maintenance pet.
They are not as noisy as other species and can imitate various sounds and words, with males said to be the most adept at speech. With their beautiful plumage, Rose-Breasted Cockatoos are expensive and difficult to find as pets. They need at least 3–4 hours of daily interaction with their owners, or they can get destructive and even aggressive.
How Many Pink Bird Species Are There?
Besides these pet pink bird species, several other wild birds have all pink or pink-tinted plumage. While these birds cannot be kept as pets, they are beautiful to observe in their natural habitat. These species include:
- American Flamingo
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Northern Carmine Bee-Eater
- The Great White Pelican
- Rose Robin
- Scarlet Ibis
Final Thoughts
Pink birds are rare in the wild and, thus, even rarer as pets. The Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is arguably the most famous of all pink pet birds, with its beautiful bright pink chests and bellies, but it is a massive responsibility to undertake. The rarity of pink birds as pets makes them all the more alluring, and if you manage to find one, count yourself lucky!
Featured Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock
