Parakeets
Parakeets are small birds with a lot of personality
Generally speaking, Parakeets are a group of small to medium sized pet birds that have long tail feathers.
Because the term is so general, it refers to a wide range of birds with different sizes, looks, and personalities. One of the best known in the U.S. is the Budgerigar (Budgie). The different types of these pet birds are so different from each other that it is difficult to describe them as a group.
Below are the most popular types. Read more about each of the species to see for yourself how different they are!
Small Parakeets
Bourke’s
Budgerigar (“Budgie”)
Lineolated
Large Parakeets
Fast Facts
| Name | Depends on species |
| Origin | Depends on species |
| Size | 7-23″, depending on species |
| Owner | Good for first-time bird owners. |
| Average Cost | $10-500, depending on species |
| Lifespan | 8-40 years, depending on species |
| Noise | Some species are good for apartment living while others are noisy enough to require living in a house. |
| Abilities | There is a wide range in talking ability between the species. Male Budgies are great talkers, while a talking Rosella is rare. So, the abilities depend on the species. |
| Diet | Small species need a diet for small birds and large species need a diet for medium birds. |
| Supplies Needed | Small species need supplies for small birds and large species need supplies for medium birds. It’s also important to keep in mind that depending on the species, many of the larger species should be kept in an aviary so they are able to fly freely. |
Parakeet Videos
“Talking Parakeet (Budgie) Talks Nonstop!! [Captioned]”
This is an adorable video of a very talkative Budgie!
“Parrot wants kiss from cockatiel”
Ringnecks are also wonderful pets that can learn how to talk. This video shows a very talented Ringneck interacting (humorously!) with a Cockatiel. Some of the things he says are “You’re so, you’re so cute!” “Gimme Kiss” and “Whee!” So entertaining!
“Boogie The Quaker Parrot Complains about Life”
Quakers are also great pets and, as this video shows, they can be very talkative as well!
“Bowie talking before bedtime!”
This is another great Ringneck video. Adorable!
Parakeet Training
The small species are often seen as nippy birds and the large species can be sensitive biters. You definitely need to know how to train your ‘Keet if you want him to be hand tamed and enjoy spending time with you. However, if you don’t know how to train a ‘Keet, you may have difficulty even getting your bird out of his cage.
For this reason, we highly recommend that you find an effective training program. Whether your parrot is new to your home or you’ve had him for years, a training program will always come in handy. We personally recommend the Bird Tricks Parrot Training Course by Dave and Jamieleigh Womach. You can see many of their videos for free to get an idea of how much they know about parrots and how they can help you train yours.
Below is one of Dave’s videos about getting your parrot to step-up without biting. This video can be used for parakeets as well and is a great example of how effective the training courses can be and how they are filled with a wealth of useful information for any bird owner.
This video is only the first step in getting your bird hand tamed. We highly recommend checking out the BirdTricks Training Course for taming your parrot even further.
For more information about Dave and Jamieleigh’s courses, you can visit the Bird Tricks website HERE.
Parakeet Education
To learn more about your pet Parakeet, we recommend these books:
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | Parakeets And Budgies - Raising, Feeding, And Hand-Training Your Keet | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
Top | The Parakeet Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks) | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
Top | Parakeets For Dummies | Prime | Add to Cart | |
 | Ringneck Parakeets, The Complete Owner's Guide | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart |
Parakeet Gifts
Have a friend of family member who loves Parakeets? Gift them something that will truly spark joy!
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Parakeet Ornament with Personalized Name Plate | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Munyu Mom Beanbag Plush (Budgies / White Blue) | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | 4 Decorative Parakeet Figurines | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Parakeet Mom Mug, 15 oz | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Pocket Budgie T-Shirt | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart |
Related Articles:
- The Essential ‘Keet Supplies Checklist
- The 3 Must-Have Perches
- The Best Food For Your ‘Keet
- Find The Best ‘Keet Cage
- Toys Your ‘Keet Will Love
Have A Great Story About Your Parakeet?
Share your experience with others! There’s no better way to learn about a pet bird than from an owner.
Some helpful information for potential owners can be: What is the species of your bird? Is he/she friendly? Loving? Cuddly? Talented? Messy? Loud? You get the idea!
Your comment may just help someone decide whether or not this pet bird is for them.
So when I do get a bird (I really want a Parakeet but if i cant give it the right care I wont get one till I can) I’d be gone for 5 ish hours for school and Parakeets from what I’ve learned so far should be in a busy room could leaving the TV on work until I get back and I would be the sole owner but I live with others. Should I ask the others to come in and just like try and get the bird used to other people aswell?
Hello! I am thinking about getting a bird that is fun to play with and hang out with. Are Budgies the best type of bird to teach tricks and play with? Thanks
Leaf the Budgie
I have a green budgie named Leaf. He sings a lot and when I play songs on the phone, he tags along almost pitch-perfect.
Fun fact- 5 of my budgies flew away (all blue) and only Leaf stayed behind. We then bought Leaf a mate, Lily.
Also, Leaf is usually tame and happy to sit on my shoulder, but turns nippy and shy when near Lily. If I separate them, he turns tame again. Is this normal?
Also, can it be remedied?
Hi Aryan – Great question! Parrots can become very territorial when with a mate. This is normal behavior, so introducing a mate can have a negative impact on your bird’s relationship with you. You can choose to house them separately, which may help, but it is not guaranteed.
Hi, I have a pet budgie named Cloud, one day we just found her sitting on our balcony and we caught her. I can’t say she’s a very bright parrot, she’s still scared if I move to quickly around her, but she doesn’t mind being held and loves to crawl in my hair. She really likes listening to Taylor Swift’s country music and Ed Sheeran’s New Man song and chirps really loudly to them.Whenever she knocks down her perch ring that hangs from the top of the cage(which is very often) in the night she crawls to the top of her cage and hangs onto the hook that used to hold the ring, with on finger, and with the other foot hangs on to the bars at the top of the cage(like on the photo).I don’t why she does this, she has another perch lower down, she probably likes it high up and misses her swing perch.She’s a cute little birdy.
Hi there that seems like a very small cage for budgies, I’d recommend at least 30″ by 30″ by 45″ unless that is temporary
Like the last person said that cage looks to small as well as it looks to be a round cage. Round cages make bird such as budgies uncomfortable and less secure then a cage with corners so I would definitely recommend a larger, more square cage.
Hi there, we’re considering a pet bird, likely a budgie. We have a hamster – anything we should worry about? Also, how do budgies get along with small dogs? We’re considering getting a puppy soon. Thanks.
hello! I have a problem with my quaker parrot for plenty of years.every winter he stars plucking his feathers and sometimes we notice some blood under his wings we spray him with an aloe vera spray and we used to cover him in a piece of cloth so he could not pluck his feathers.I think he does it because at winter starts the breeding period what do you say?
Blue Quaker parrot
5-6 years old
Hi Harry, I highly recommend you take your bird to see an avian veterinarian. Plucking can be a sign of illness and is not a normal behavior. It’s also possible he may have a skin irritation during that time of year that leads to the plucking. It’s difficult to know, but a vet can help!
I have 2 cats, no claws. Any chance I could have a bird?
Hi Jacci! Possibly, but I’d hold the cats the first time they see the birds because it’s extremely likely that they would want them as lunch! Especially smaller birds!
Please do not de-claw your cats, their claws are actually part of their fingers, so it would be similar to ripping out the first joint of all your fingers
Anyone know if its good to handle them, and if they like to play? (if not name some birds that do please 🙂
Hi Bell! All pet birds can be played with with proper training! Some are nippers and need more training than others but any type of bird would work! (well not finches xx)
Budgies Are the Best Birds Ever!
A plush squirrel hugging Glacier the budgie
I have seven budgies and they are just amazing! They are easy to tame and are so cute! They are smart and funny to watch. They are great as a first-time birds!
Parakeets are awesome, seriously. I own six and they’re the best! My blue budgie, Jaya, would come up to me, then she’ll peck lightly on my hand until I gave her a pet! Adorable! 🙂