Second Bird? Choosing a Medium Sized Parrot

African Grey Parrot As A Pet

• Lifespan Commitment – These parrots can live 30 to 60 years, meaning they may outlive you. Are you prepared for a lifelong companion or able to plan for their future if needed?
• High Cost of Ownership – Beyond the initial purchase, expenses include a large cage, fresh food, vet care, enrichment toys, and emergency medical bills. Medium parrots are not budget-friendly pets.
• Daily Social Interaction – These birds need hours of engagement every day. If left alone too often, they can develop behavioral issues like screaming, plucking, or aggression.
• Noise Levels – Some medium parrots, like Amazons and Indian Ringnecks, are naturally loud. Their calls can be disruptive and may not be suitable for apartments or noise-sensitive households.
• Space Requirements – They need a large cage, plenty of out-of-cage time, and a bird-safe environment to explore. If space is limited, meeting their needs can be a challenge.
• Specialized Diet Needs – Some species, like Eclectus, require fresh, varied diets that go beyond standard pellets. Improper nutrition can lead to serious health problems.
• Hormonal Behavior – Many medium parrots go through strong hormonal shifts, leading to territorial behavior, aggression, or sudden mood swings. Managing hormones requires environmental adjustments and proper handling.
• Long-Term Lifestyle Fit – Your life will change over the next few decades. Will this bird still fit into your plans if you move, change jobs, start a family, or face financial shifts?

A medium-sized parrot is a rewarding but demanding pet. Thinking through these factors before bringing one home can help ensure a successful and lasting bond.

Overview

African Grey Parrots are known for their exceptional intelligence and talking abilities. Native to the rainforests of Central and West Africa, they are often regarded as one of the most intelligent birds in the world. Their ability to mimic human speech and even understand context makes them a fascinating companion.

These birds require a great deal of mental stimulation to stay happy. They are known for their problem-solving skills and need interactive toys, foraging activities, and consistent engagement. Without proper enrichment, African Greys can become bored and develop behavioral issues.

African Grey's are also highly sensitive and emotionally complex. They form deep bonds with their owners but can become anxious in stressful environments. A calm, predictable household is ideal for keeping an African Grey content.

Characteristics

• Highly intelligent and needs daily enrichment
• Incredibly talkative and can mimic words and sounds
• Emotionally sensitive and bonds deeply with owners
• Long lifespan of 40-60 years

Ideal for

• Experienced bird owners who can provide mental stimulation
• Homes with a quiet and stable environment
• Owners looking for an interactive and talkative pet

Amazon Parrots As Pets

Overview

Amazon parrots are known for their bold personalities and playful nature. They thrive on interaction and love being the center of attention. With their energetic demeanor and love of performing, these birds bring a lot of excitement to a household.

While they are capable talkers, they are also loud. Their vocalizations range from delightful chatter to ear-piercing screams. Potential owners should be prepared for a noisy and social bird.

These parrots are highly active and need space to climb and play. A large cage, plenty of perches, and a variety of toys are essential to keep them physically and mentally engaged.

Characteristics

• Outgoing and playful with a love for attention
• Moderate talkers but can be loud
• Needs plenty of space for exercise and enrichment
• Long lifespan of 30-50 years

Ideal for

• Owners who enjoy highly social and interactive birds
• Homes that can tolerate loud vocalizations
• Experienced bird lovers looking for a confident parrot

Eclectus Parrot As Pets

Overview

Eclectus parrots are visually striking, with males being bright green and females deep red. They are gentle and observant birds, often described as thoughtful and intuitive. Unlike other parrots, they prefer calm interactions rather than rough play.

These birds require a specialized diet that consists mostly of fresh fruits and vegetables. Pellets should only be a small part of their diet, making food preparation a bigger commitment than with other parrot species.

Eclectus parrots are quieter than Amazons and Greys but still enjoy talking. Their speech is often clear and deliberate, with a more melodic tone compared to other parrots.

Characteristics

• Quiet and observant with a gentle nature
• Requires a fresh food-based diet for optimal health
• Affectionate but dislikes rough handling
• Long lifespan of 30-40 years

Ideal for

• Owners who can commit to a fresh food-based diet
• Bird lovers who prefer a quieter, more thoughtful parrot
• Homes looking for a less noisy but engaging bird

Indian Ringneck Parakeets As Pets

Overview

Indian Ringneck's are known for their intelligence and excellent talking abilities. They can develop an extensive vocabulary and have clear speech, often sounding robotic. These birds are independent but still enjoy interacting with their owners.

Unlike some parrots, Ringneck's are less cuddly. They prefer companionship through talking and playing rather than physical affection. Owners should be patient and willing to engage in daily training sessions.

Consistency in training is key for Ringneck's. Without structured interaction, they can develop a tendency to become aloof or nippy. They thrive with owners who understand how to build trust and respect their independence.

Characteristics

• Superb talkers with clear speech and large vocabularies
• Highly independent and not overly cuddly
• Requires structured training and consistency
• Long lifespan of 25-35 years

Ideal for

• Owners who want a talking bird with excellent speech clarity
• People who prefer independent pets over cuddly ones
• Bird lovers willing to commit to daily training

Compare Types of Medium Birds for Pets

Things to Consider Before Getting a Medium-Sized Parrot

• Lifespan Commitment – These parrots can live 30 to 60 years, meaning they may outlive you. Are you prepared for a lifelong companion or able to plan for their future if needed?
• High Cost of Ownership – Beyond the initial purchase, expenses include a large cage, fresh food, vet care, enrichment toys, and emergency medical bills. Medium parrots are not budget-friendly pets.
• Daily Social Interaction – These birds need hours of engagement every day. If left alone too often, they can develop behavioral issues like screaming, plucking, or aggression.
• Noise Levels – Some medium parrots, like Amazons and Indian Ringnecks, are naturally loud. Their calls can be disruptive and may not be suitable for apartments or noise-sensitive households.
• Space Requirements – They need a large cage, plenty of out-of-cage time, and a bird-safe environment to explore. If space is limited, meeting their needs can be a challenge.
• Specialized Diet Needs – Some species, like Eclectus, require fresh, varied diets that go beyond standard pellets. Improper nutrition can lead to serious health problems.
• Hormonal Behavior – Many medium parrots go through strong hormonal shifts, leading to territorial behavior, aggression, or sudden mood swings. Managing hormones requires environmental adjustments and proper handling.
• Long-Term Lifestyle Fit – Your life will change over the next few decades. Will this bird still fit into your plans if you move, change jobs, start a family, or face financial shifts?

Is a Medium-Sized Parrot for You?

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Perfect Medium-Sized Parrot

Bringing a medium-sized parrot into your home is an exciting and deeply rewarding experience, but it’s not a decision to take lightly. These birds are intelligent, social, and full of personality, but they also require a lifelong commitment, daily engagement, and proper care to thrive.

Whether you’re drawn to the talkative African Grey, the playful Amazon, the gentle Eclectus, or the independent Indian Ringneck, taking the time to research, prepare, and choose wisely will set you up for a successful and fulfilling bond. And remember, finding the right parrot isn’t just about you choosing them—it’s also about the bird choosing you. With patience, understanding, and a little bit of heart, you’ll be well on your way to welcoming the perfect feathered companion into your life. 🦜💛

Related Posts:

Choosing the Cockatoo for Your Lifestyle

How Long Do Parrots Live and What Affects Their Lifespan

References:

Link to this blog

Burroughs, D. (2025, March 15). Cockatoos as pets: Which one is for you? BirdSupplies.com. https://birdsupplies.com/blogs/news/parrot-and-cockatoo-breeds-choosing-the-cockatoo-for-your-lifestyle

Diane Burroughs, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in avian anxiety disorders, nervous bird behaviors, and overall bird care. With training in ABA therapy and certification in Nutrition For Mental Health, Diane has authored several books on bird behavior and offers expert consultations for resolving issues like feather plucking and bird anxiety..

Her work has been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and presented at Exoticscon. Diane also mediates the Feather Plucking Help group on Facebook, offering support to parrot owners. With over 30 years of experience, Diane has developed thousands of successful individualized behavior plans, promoting parrot wellness and excellent bird care.

TAGS: #SecondBird #MediumSizedParrots #BirdCare

Related Posts:

Choosing the Cockatoo for Your Lifestyle

How To Achieve A Healthy Bond With Your Pet Bird

References:

Harcourt-Brown, N. H. (2002). Textbook of avian medicine. Saunders Ltd.

Schmidt, R., & Niemann, T. (2017). The handbook of applied behavior analysis for animals. Springer.

Schuppli, C. A., & Fraser, D. (2000). A framework for assessing the suitability of different species as companion animals. Animal Welfare, 9(4), 359-372. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0962728600026018

Link to this blog

Diane Burroughs, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in avian anxiety disorders, nervous bird behaviors, and overall bird care. With training in ABA therapy and certification in Nutrition For Mental Health, Diane has authored several books on bird behavior and offers expert consultations for resolving issues like feather plucking and bird anxiety..

Her work has been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and presented at Exoticscon. Diane also mediates the Feather Plucking Help group on Facebook, offering support to parrot owners. With over 30 years of experience, Diane has developed thousands of successful individualized behavior plans, promoting parrot wellness and excellent bird care.

TAGS: #BirdProof #BirdProofing #BirdCare