Most people know a budgie, cockatiel or lovebird when they see one (although they’re likely to call a budgie by its much more general name “parakeet”). What people might not realize is that these same small birds are parrots. And being parrots, they are capable of many of the same behaviors and quirks as even the largest parrots, such as macaws and cockatoos. Budgies, for instance, can become great talkers (in fact, a budgie was once listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for largest vocabulary.)
People also might not realize that small birds have good appetites and appreciate much of the same healthy foods that their owners eat. And don’t even think about housing a small bird in a small cage devoid of toys and other enrichment. They might be small in stature, but they have plenty of energy and are intelligent.
Here’s a look at the most popular small birds species: budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds and parrotlets, as well as an up-and-comer: Bourke’s parakeets.
**For the full article, pick up the 2009 issue of Birds USA or click here to buy the issue.**