10 Best Green Parrots (Expert Guide)
Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Ali Shahid
Parrots are renowned for their vibrant colors, with green being the most prevalent shade among them. These intelligent and captivating birds are popular as pets, but they demand a lifelong commitment and proper care. Among the best green parrot species are the Budgerigar (Budgie), Eclectus Parrot, Amazon Parrots, Green-cheeked Conures, Green Parakeet, Quaker Parrot (Monk Parakeet), Pacific Parrotlet, Lovebirds, Indian Ringneck Parakeet (Rose-ringed Parakeet), and Senegal Parrot.
Green parrots are not only visually appealing but also exhibit remarkable intelligence and unique personalities. They are known for their problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and even tool-making capabilities in certain species. However, owning a parrot entails significant responsibility, requiring daily attention, clean water, quality food, and a hygienic environment. Moreover, these birds need mental and physical stimulation, regular exercise, and social interaction to thrive.
Therefore, I will also provide a brief overview of how to care for these green parrots. If you’re contemplating a green parrot as a pet, be prepared for a lifelong commitment and the dedication needed to ensure their health and happiness.
Popular Green Parrot Species
1. Budgerigar (Budgie)
The Budgerigar, commonly known as Budgie, is a small parrot from Australia with a long tail. These birds are popular as pets because they’re small, affordable, and playful. Budgies are famous for copying human speech, making them one of the most talkative bird types. They come in various colors, but their natural look is green with black bars on the wings, back, and head.
2. Eclectus Parrot
The Eclectus Parrot is special in the parrot family because males and females look very different. The guys are bright green with a candy corn-colored beak, while the ladies are mostly bright red and purple with a black beak. They originally come from the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and the Maluku Islands. Eclectus Parrots are famous for being really good at talking and copying sounds.
3. Amazon Parrots
Amazon Parrots are medium to large parrots originating from the New World, covering regions from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean. These parrots are mostly green, and their additional colors vary depending on the species, often being quite vibrant. They are recognized for their intelligence, playful demeanor, and talent for imitating human speech.
4. Green-cheeked Conures
The Green-cheeked Conure, also called the Green-cheeked Parakeet, is a small parrot from the forests of South America. They are known for being playful and affectionate, often described as having a “big personality in a small body.” In terms of colors, they have bright red feathers in their tails and on their chests, bright green on their backs and the tops of their wings, and olive green patches on their cheeks.
5. Green Parakeet
The Green Parakeet is a medium-sized parrot native to North and Central America. They are generally green, paler and yellower on their underparts, with variable amounts of red speckles on their cheeks and throat. They are known for their “sharp squeaky notes”, “loud harsh calls”, and “shrill noisy chattering”.
6. Quaker Parrot (Monk Parakeet)
The Quaker Parrot, also known as the Monk Parakeet, is a small, bright-green parrot with a greyish breast and greenish-yellow abdomen. They are known for their fun-loving, comical personalities, their energetic nature, and their exceptional ability to mimic human speech.
7. Pacific Parrotlet
Pacific Parrotlets are small, spirited parrots that can become aggressive if left for too long without handling. Despite their small size, they have a large bird personality — outgoing, curious, and, at times, downright feisty. They are not known to be the finest talkers of the parrotlet family, but some individuals can learn quite a few words.
8. Lovebirds
Lovebirds are small, affectionate parrots that are known for their social nature and deep bonds with their owners. They are very active, curious, and playful, packing a lot of personality into a small package. Lovebirds are not considered one of the best talkers, and only some may learn a few words.
Indian Ringneck Parakeet (Rose-ringed Parakeet)
The Indian Ringneck Parakeet, also known as the Rose-ringed Parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot that is native to Africa and South Asia. They are known for their ability to mimic human speech and for the distinctive colored ring around their neck.
9. Senegal Parrot
The Senegal Parrot is a small, brightly colored parrot native to West Africa. They are known for their playful and affectionate nature, their ability to mimic human speech and their distinctive green, yellow, and gray coloring.
10. Green Parrot Diet
A well-balanced and varied diet is essential for the health and longevity of green parrots. It can positively impact their health, appearance, and behavior.
Importance of a Varied Diet
A varied diet is crucial for parrots as it prevents nutrient deficiencies and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. It also helps maintain a strong immune system.
Fresh Vegetables and Fruits
Fresh vegetables, particularly dark green and orange ones like kale, broccoli, and carrots, should form a significant part of a parrot’s diet. They provide essential nutrients and help boost the bird’s immune system.Fruits, such as apples (without seeds), bananas, and berries, can also be included but should make up a smaller portion of the diet due to their high sugar content.
Pellets or Seed Mixes
Pellets, preferably organic, are a great way to fill in nutritional gaps in a parrot’s diet.Seed mixes, while loved by birds, should be given in moderation as they are often high in fat and lack essential nutrients. Parrots tend to selectively eat high fat and high sugar parts of their diet, which can lead to weight gain and nutrient deficiencies.
Wild Foods
Wild parrots’ diet consists of various kinds of nuts, seeds, fruit, insects, and vegetation. They are opportunists and will eat whatever they can get.Nuts, such as almonds and peanuts, are particularly favored by parrots.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods can be toxic to parrots and should be avoided. These include avocado, chocolate, rhubarb, onion, tomato, garlic, and foods containing caffeine or alcohol.
Green Parrot Habitat
Green parrots are from different places, each with its own special home. For example, the Green Parakeet lives in tropical and subtropical woodlands, farms, and plantations in Mexico and northern Central America. Some of them also live in southern Texas.
The Pacific Parakeet makes its home in various types of woodlands, including deciduous, semi-deciduous, and evergreen forests. You can also find them in city parks and gardens in southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The Puerto Rican Parrot, which is at risk of disappearing, lives in El Yunque National Forest, Río Abajo State Forest, and Maricao Commonwealth Forest in Puerto Rico.
People are working hard to protect endangered species like the Norfolk Island Parakeet in Australia and the Puerto Rican Parrot.
Green Parrot Behavior and Training
Green parrots are clever and can copy sounds, even human speech. In the wild, they are social birds that live together in groups and use different calls to talk to each other. When kept as pets, they can be taught to do tricks and manage their behavior. However, it’s important to understand their unique personalities and needs.
Teaching a green parrot needs patience, doing things regularly, and giving positive feedback. It’s important to make a good training place where the bird feels safe, calm, and happy. Regular training times, preferably at the same time each day, can help make a routine and make the bond between the parrot and its owner stronger.
By understanding how they move and the sounds they make, owners can talk effectively with their parrots and build a strong, a long-lasting friendship.
Green Parrot Breeding
Different types of green parrots have their own special ways of making nests. Take the Monk Parakeets, also called Quaker Parrots, for example. They are known to build big nests out of sticks. These nests are in trees or on top of tall man-made things like utility poles or communication towers. Monk Parakeets are unique because they don’t use holes in trees for nests like other parrots. Instead, they make large nests where many of them can live together. In Texas, people have noticed these parrots making nests more often in cities.
Now, Green Parakeets in Texas like to nest in holes in dead Canary Island Palms. They often make homes in these palms, but sometimes they also nest alone in holes made by woodpeckers or other little spaces in different trees.
Both kinds of parrots have made homes successfully in Texas, with Monk Parakeets being more common in cities and Green Parakeets in places with the right kinds of palm trees.
Conclusion
Green parrots, such as the Budgerigar (Budgie), Eclectus Parrot, Amazon Parrots, Green-cheeked Conures, Green Parakeet, Quaker Parrot (Monk Parakeet), Pacific Parrotlet, Lovebirds, Indian Ringneck Parakeet (Rose-ringed Parakeet), and Senegal Parrot, make fantastic and smart pets. They charm us with their bright colors, unique personalities, and clever minds. However, having green parrots mean making a big commitment to take good care of them, feed them a balanced diet, and give them regular training to keep them healthy and happy.
It’s crucial to remember that some parrot species are in danger, and we need to work hard to protect them. As potential parrot owners or bird lovers, we can play a part in these efforts and help save these beautiful birds for the generations to come.
