Companion parrot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Companion parrot is a general term used for any parrot kept as a pet that interacts with its human a great deal, while companion parrots is the collective designation for any species of parrot that is considered by practitioners of aviculture to make an affectionate pet parrot.
Generally, almost all species of parrots are considered to make good companion parrots. All larger varieties of parrots, such as Amazons, African Greys, Cockatoos, Eclectus, Hawk-Heads, Keas and Macaws; most mid-sized birds such as Caiques, Conures, Pionus, Poicephalus, Rose-ringed parakeets, and Rosellas, and quite a few of the smaller types including Brotegeris, Budgies, Cockatiels, Grass parakeets, Lovebirds, and some Parrotlets are often considered companion parrots.
Species of pet parrots that are not generally considered companion parrots include Lories and Lorikeets, Hanging parrots, and Fig parrots, fruit and nectar eating birds which are generally kept in colonies. Such species as Pygmy parrots and Kakapos, Night Parrots, and about half of the species of parrotlet, are not considered companion parrots due to the difficulty of keeping them alive in captivity for extended periods of time.
Other parrots which are endangered in the wild and rare in captivity are better suited to conservation programs than as companions, for ethical reasons.
Generally, depending on one's definition of a good pet though, the definition of a companion parrot can vary considerably, and there are some in aviculture who go by the individual parrot rather than the species.
