Animal section
Birds
Parrots, finches and canaries, and what captivity demands of them.
Species profiles
Standardised husbandry data for each animal in this group.
Budgerigar
Budgies are the most widely kept parrot in the world: intelligent, social and far more demanding than their low price suggests.
Lifespan 6–12 years, sometimes longer · Care complexity 3/5
Cockatiel
Cockatiels combine an affectionate nature with a manageable size, and are among the best first parrots for a committed household.
Lifespan 15–25 years · Care complexity 3/5
African Grey Parrot
African greys are among the most cognitively advanced companion animals kept in homes — and among the most frequently rehomed when owners underestimate their needs.
Lifespan 40–60 years · Care complexity 5/5
Domestic Canary
Canaries suit people who want the presence and song of a bird without daily handling, provided they have real flying space.
Lifespan 8–12 years · Care complexity 2/5
Green-Cheeked Conure
Green-cheeked conures pack a lot of parrot personality into a small body. They are a popular first parrot, but their beak strength and need for daily attention still surprise many new owners.
Lifespan 10–20 years, sometimes longer with good care · Care complexity 3/5
Zebra Finch
Zebra finches are lively, low-cost aviary birds best enjoyed as an active flock rather than a handled pet. Their constant chatter and breeding behaviour make them fascinating to watch.
Lifespan 5–10 years · Care complexity 2/5
Umbrella Cockatoo
Umbrella cockatoos are among the most demanding companion parrots kept, combining a decades-long lifespan with needs closer to a dependent toddler than a typical pet bird. They are a poor choice for anyone who cannot guarantee daily company for 40 or more years.
Lifespan 40–60 years, sometimes longer · Care complexity 5/5
Gouldian Finch
Gouldian finches are strikingly colourful aviary birds prized for their appearance rather than interaction. They reward a stable, warm, well-planted flight with quiet colour and song but do not tolerate handling or careless temperature swings.
Lifespan 5–8 years · Care complexity 3/5
Senegal Parrot
Senegal parrots pack much of the intelligence and longevity of larger parrots into a smaller, quieter, more apartment-friendly body, but they still need a multi-decade commitment and confident, consistent handling.
Lifespan 25–35 years · Care complexity 4/5
Parrotlet
The parrotlet is a tiny, bold South American parrot that packs big-parrot personality into 30 grams. It suits owners who can offer hours of daily interaction and safe flight time.
Lifespan 15–20 years · Care complexity 3/5
Eclectus Parrot
The eclectus is a calm, intelligent parrot known for striking male–female colour differences and a fresh-food-heavy diet. It is a decades-long commitment best suited to experienced bird keepers.
Lifespan 30–40 years, sometimes longer · Care complexity 4/5
Pacific parrotlet
A big parrot personality in a pocket-sized body — charming but bossy, and needs confident, consistent handling.
Lifespan 15–20 years · Care complexity 3/5
Guides for this group
Care, health, behaviour and nutrition reading.
Before getting a petHow to Choose the Right Pet for Your Life
A structured way to match an animal to your household, budget, schedule and housing — before emotion makes the decision for you.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07
Before getting a petPet-Proofing and Preparing Your Home
A room-by-room checklist for making your home safe before the animal arrives, rather than after the first accident.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19
Daily careBuilding a Daily Care Routine That Actually Sticks
Predictable routines reduce stress for animals and make it far easier to notice when something is wrong.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07
End-of-life careQuality of Life, Hospice Care and Saying Goodbye
Compassionate, practical guidance on assessing quality of life, palliative options, euthanasia decisions and grief.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07
Seasonal careFireworks, Thunderstorms and Noise Fear
What actually helps a frightened animal during loud events, and what to plan weeks in advance.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07
EmergenciesEmergency and Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Building a pet emergency kit, an evacuation plan and a care plan if you are suddenly unavailable.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19