Parrot Species by Picture and Description, A comprehensive guide to each and every Parrot Species that we as Parrot Owners will encounter and possible keep as a Pet for years to come. If you would like to know more then please do visit our Online Parrot Forum , ask lots of Parrot owners about thier particular species of parrot. This will give you a better understanding of different Parrot characteristics.
	Macaws: South American Distribution
This is perhaps one of the most coveted birds in aviculture. These South American beauties are often toted as the giants of the psittacine kingdom. While it is true that they are certainly the largest parrots, some Macaws are amongst the smallest parrots, as well. The Hahn's Macaw rivals a petite Aratinga Conure for size (~35cm). These birds are very intelligent and can be very comical and affectionate. However, Macaws are often known to challenge their owners for dominance and with such a large, threatening beaks this can be a intimidating at best. In Macaws, it is the smaller species which can be the most challenging. The giant Hyacinth Macaw is often called the most gentle of macaws (or even of the psittacines!) while the tiny Hahn's Macaw is known to be quite sassy and challenging.
	Conures: South American Distribution
Conures are the small cousins of the Macaw. Like the Macaw, this pint-sizes parrots are aerodynamically shaped with thin bodies, long wings and a long tapered tail. In flight, they are a stunning sight to see. In the pet trade, there are 2 major genus of conures: the Aratinga and the Pyrrhura. There are a few species that are considered mono genic meaning they are the only member of their genus - these birds do not conform to the specifications of either Aratinga or Pyrrhura. Conures are perhaps the most varied of all the parrots. In general, the Aratinga conures are the larger birds with heavier frames and wide, thick beaks. These birds tend to be noisier and better talkers. These birds have a lot of variety in color and body type from species to species. The Pyrrhura conures, on the other hand, are very petite.They tend to all be darker in color with distinct, scallop-edged feathers. They are known to be quiet with an even, gentle personality. The Pyrrhura conures are wonderful parrots for the first-time bird owner.
	Amazons: South American Distribution
Amazons are amongst the most common and popular large parrots in Aviculture. Long prized for their talking ability, the Amazon is known as a comical and gregarious pet. These birds look little like the Macaws and Conures they share their homes with. They are heavy, stout birds who almost look uncomfortable in flight. There are several species of Amazon Parrot available in the pet trade. Each species has a very distinct personality. However, there are a few traits common to Amazons. They can often be rowdy and excitable, but fairly confident. Amazons are known for their mood swings, so it is important that an owner learn to "read" the bird's moods. Some Amazons, such as the Yellow Nape, Double Yellow Head and the Blue Front are amongst the best talkers in the parrot world. They mimic so well that it is often hard to tell their voice from their owners! While Amazons are delightful pets, they are often not "cuddlers," preferring instead to be vocally interacted with or to play with its toys (although it is a rare Amazon that doesn't appreciate a good scratch on the head).
	African Grey Parrots
	African Distribution
African Greys Parrots are highly prized amongst true bird lovers for their amazing intelligence. In recent years, research has indicated that these parrots may have intelligence rivaling a 5 year old human child! There has been a good deal of evidence supporting the fact that these birds not only talk, but they know the meaning of the words they say (later research with other species supports that this holds true for many other parrot species, as well)! While this makes Greys a very popular pet, new owners rarely realize the hardships associated with this species. African birds in general tend to be quiet and more prone to hiding than their South American cousins. As a result, if not well socialized, a Grey is very prone to stress reactions. Unsocialized birds may often become extremely aggressive to strangers. Also, because they are so intelligent, birds that are not intellectually stimulated and interacted with also are very subject to stress. While they are very smart, it is very hard for Greys (or any pet) to reason changes in lifestyle, changes in housing, etc. In Greys, stress is often manifested in feather picking or over grooming. Screaming and biting may also result. However, for an owner knowledgeable in bird psychology and willing to take time to work with their pet, and African Grey is a wonderful and charming addition!
	Cockatoos: Pacific Distribution
Cockatoos are quickly emerging as the preferred hookbill pet amongst fanciers. They are known to be smart, cuddly, playful and good talkers. These birds are also beautiful, most being white with powdery pinkish or yellowish hues. All cockatoos have a crest of some sort on top of their heads which becomes erect when startled or excited. While many people view cockatoos as the perfect parrot, few realize until they have one that these birds can be difficult to own. With their intelligence and affectionate nature come a certain neediness. 'Toos become settled into a routine quickly and are often not excepting of change. Boredom, stress and loneliness are common afflictions to these pretty birds. Often, screaming, moping or feather picking are a result. With cockatoos, it is important to set ground rules early and to establish that you may not be around the house all day. A baby cockatoo that is overly coddled or spoiled at a young age may have trouble adjusting to the "real world" when its beloved owner has to go to work or go off on a trip. It is important that these birds be socialized early, or a fear of new placed or new people may result. However, a properly raised cockatoo is a true joy. If started off right, cockatoos can be outgoing and amazingly intelligent (some say they rival African Greys for brains). If considering a cockatoo as a pet, be sure to do extensive research on their behavior. Talk to other 'too owners to see what has worked for them. If started off right, the cockatoo may be your perfect pet!
	Cockatiels: Pacific Distribution
Cockatiels are perhaps one of the most common pet birds. These little dynamos are easy to breed and become wonderful pets if hand raised. Like Cockatoos, tiels are known for their crested head. The original color is the "grey" which is yellow and grey with orange cheek patches. From this color pattern, many beautiful mutations have occurred. In breeding, there is a whole science associated with the combining and breeding of color mutation tiels. Cockatiels are relatively inexpensive pets and make great first birds because they possess many of the same traits and needs as the larger hookbills. Tiels are affectionate and can learn to talk and whistle many tunes. They can be stubborn, so tiels are a great way to learn behavior training for birds. When getting a tiel, it is best to get a young hand-raised bird that you can "start off right." Start establishing behaviors early (such as the "step up" command) and don't let the bird start setting rules through biting early on. Tiels are both stubborn and manipulative, so once it learns that you can be "bullied" the pattern may be hard to change. Also, be sure to start your new pet off on the right diet, as cockatiels are very stubborn about changing their eating habits.
	Budgerigars: Pacific Distribution
Budgerigars ("budgies") are the birds most commonly called "parakeets" in the pet trade. These little hookbills rival the cockatiel in sheer volume for bird fanciers. Their numbers may solely be due to the low price tag often associated with their purchase. Unfortunately, the low price tag usually yields a bird that was bred and raised in an aviary and is therefore afraid of humans. Essentially, this situation give you a nearly wild pet, which can be an unpleasant situation for many new owners. Like other parrots and parakeets, though, budgies make wonderful pets if handraised. They can be affectionate, charming and great little talkers. In fact, handraised budgies make wonderful first birds and can be a very pleasant pet experience indeed. Like all birds, it is important to start your budgie out with the right behavior and feeding. Amongst hookbills, budgies rival the cockatiel for "stubbornness" as well. The original color of the Budgerigar is green and yellow. Because of their prolific breeding, many mutations of the original color have cropped up including a lutino (all yellow), white and blue and a harlequin (yellow and blue).
	Eclectus: Pacific Distribution
These parrots are somewhat unusual, but quickly gaining popularity in the pet trade. There are four main types of Eclectus Parrots. Unusual among hookbills, Eclectus are sexually dimorphic, meaning the male and female of the species look markedly different. The males are bright green with red or purple under their wings. The females are a brilliant red color. Both have a orange-yellow beak and unusual feathers that have a hair-like consistency. Eclectus make quiet, gentle pets if raised correctly. They can talk and have soft, sweet voices. The males tend to be much friendlier than the females, who tend to be more standoffish and may get nippy in order to be left alone. Eclectus can be hard to breed in captivity. However, for certain breeders (who have the correct Eclectus finesse) these birds will breed very well. For this reason, there may be a large difference in price from one source to the other.

Finches

Small birds with forked or notched tails, moderately pointed wings, rounded or elongated bodies and round heads, with more or less triangular bills. The bill shape varies according to the principal type of food, from short and rounded to rather long and sharp. Some species are agile and feed while perching on, or hanging from, plants, while others are essentially ground feeders, but most also take insects from foliage in the breeding season. They have distinctive flight calls and simple, but sometimes musical, songs.

Brambling Similar in size and shape to the chaffinch, the male has a black head in summer, and an orange breast with white belly. In flight it shows a long white rump. Gregarious in winter, it may form flocks o... More...

Bullfinch The male is unmistakable with his bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump. The flash of the rump in flight and the sad call note are usually the firs... More...

Chaffinch The chaffinch is the UK's second commonest breeding bird, and is arguably the most colourful of the UK's finches. Its patterned plumage helps it to blend in when feeding on the ground and it becomes ... More...

Crossbill A chunky finch with a large head and bill which is crossed over at the tips. Most often encountered in noisy family groups or larger flocks, usually flying close to treetop height. It feeds acrobatica... More...

Goldfinch A highly coloured finch with a bright red face and yellow wing patch. Sociable, often breeding in loose colonies, they have a delightful liquid twittering song and call. Their long fine beaks allow ... More...

Greenfinch Its twittering and wheezing song, and flash of yellow and green as it flies, make this finch a truly colourful character. Nesting in a garden conifer, or feasting on black sunflower seeds, it is a pop... More...

Hawfinch The UK's largest finch, it has a massive, powerful bill. Always shy and difficult to see, the hawfinch has become even more enigmatic in recent years with a decline in many of its traditional breeding... More...

Lesser redpoll The lesser redpoll is a small brown streaked finch with a distinctive red forehead, small black bib and, in breeding males, red upper chests. This contrasts with largely pale under parts (streaked on ... More...

Linnet A small, slim finch, widely distributed, and once very popular as a cage bird because of its melodious song. Males are attractively marked with crimson foreheads and breasts, females much browner. It ... More...

Mealy redpoll The mealy redpoll is a small finch. It is larger and paler than the very similar lesser redpoll. It is streaky brown above and whitish below with black streaks. It shows two white lines on the folded ... More...

Parrot crossbill The parrot crossbill is a large, powerful finch. It has a deep parrot-like bill and a sharply forked tail. The male is orange to red with dusky wings and tail, the female is olive-green or grey. It is... More...

Scarlet rosefinch Scarlet rosefinches are sparrow sized birds, mottled brown above with a streaked breast, pale belly and forked tail. Males, older than one year, have scarlet head, breast and rump. Females, juveniles ... More...

Scottish crossbill The Scottish crossbill is a chunky, thick-set finch with a large head and substantial bill. It is very difficult to distinguish from the other members of the crossbill family. It is the UK's only ende... More...

Serin Serins are small finches with short stubby bills and forked tails. Both sexes have streaky yellow brown upper parts, paler streaked under parts and lemon yellow rumps. Males have bright yellow heads... More...

Siskin The siskin is a small, lively finch, which is smaller than a greenfinch. It has a distinctly forked tail and a long narrow bill. The male has a streaky yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. The... More...

Twite The twite is a small, brown bird, similar in size to a linnet but with a longer tail and stubbier bill. Its back is tawny, heavily streaked with dark brown, its flanks have dark-brown streaks and its ... More...

Quail Forever - Different Quail Species

Bobwhite Quail

Bobwhite Quail - The most common species of quail, the bobwhite is often referred to as the number one game bird of the eastern and southern United States. It ranges from Canada to Mexico and is found east of the Rocky Mountains. A combination of fields, brush, weed patches and wood lots are ideal places for bobwhite habitat.

California Quail

California Quail - Also known as valley quail, California quail are the most popular of the five species of western quail. They range in the north and southwestern part of the United States and have been successfully introduced into western Canada. California quail tend to roost in trees and can form large coveys with hundreds of birds. Foothills, valleys with grassland, moist chaparral and scattered trees are the preferred habitat of this species of quail.

Mountain Quail

Mountain Quail - The largest quail species found in the United States, mountain quail possess a unique characteristic of two straight feathers that arch over the back. Their fall range is consistent with that of the California quail. They will also migrate into the mountains in the spring to nest and return to lower levels in the fall. Mountain quail prefer habitat in brushy clearings or forested areas.

Gambels Quail

Gambel's Quail - Also known as desert quail, the Gambel's quail is located in dry regions of the southwestern United States. It thrives in the dry-arid regions that consist of desert shrubs. Gambel's quail, along with the California quail, are the only two species to have successfully interbred in the wild.

Scaled Quail

Scaled Quail - Also known as blue quail, scaled quail are known for their head with a crested tip of white and their blue scaled appearance. The scaled quail is found in arid grassland and desert shrub areas in the southern and western parts of the United States. They often prefer cover that consists of brush piles or piles of wood.

Mearns Quail

Mearn's Quail - With the smallest range in the United States, the Mearn's quail is found in southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. They live in mountain areas populated with oak and juniper trees as well as grasslands. Often referred to as Messena, Montezuma or Harlequin quail, they have a unique coloration of feathers which aids in their means of camouflage. Also known as Montezuma Quail

cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are endemic to the outback regions of central Australia. Their preferred habitat includes the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bush lands.

The sociable and generally gentle cockatiel has become a treasured household pet that will do well in most households.

Arguably more popular than the Budgerigar, cockatiels are popular household pets in many parts of the world. Today, all pet cockatiels are bred in captivity, as Australia no longer permits the export of native wildlife, whether endangered or not.

The Chaffinch is our commonest finch and has striking double white wing bars. The wing bars are formed by white patches on the wing coverts, and primary and secondary wing feathers. Its summer plumage is brighter that its winter plumage.

The male Chaffinch has a pink breast and cheeks, blue-grey crown and nape, and chestnut brown back. In summer, its bill is grey-blue, turning to pale brown in the winter.

The female has an olive-brown back, and grey-brown underparts becoming almost white towards the rump, which is greenish. The juveniles are similar to the female but lack the greenish rump. The bill is brown in both the female and juveniles.

Greenfinches are characterised by a colourful olive-green plumage with flashes of yellow on the wings and tail, males and females are similar - the female's colour is just a bit duller. In spring the male shows off a wavering display flight that can look more like that of a bat or butterfly.

With a short conical and powerful beak they are masters at breaking open large seeds to eat. They like to build a nest of grass and twigs in conifer trees and bushes, while the simple song can actually be quite musical. All in all greenfinches are a most welcome visitor to any garden.

The siskin is a small, lively finch, which is smaller than a greenfinch. It has a distinctly forked tail and a long narrow bill. The male has a streaky yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. There are yellow patches in the wings and tail. It is mainly a resident breeder from southern England to northern Scotland, but is most numerous in Scotland and Wales. Many breeding birds are residents; in winter birds arrive here also from Europe.

Goldfinches are strikingly beautiful examples of the finch family. They are almost tropical in appearance, with long, pointed beaks that make them specialists in extracting seeds. Surprisingly, it is only the males that are able to extract seeds from teasel heads; they cling to the stem and tear into the seed head, accessing the seeds inside by probing with their extra long bill. Outside the breeding season, goldfinches roam in flocks in search of food and groups of 100 birds are quite common.