If you’re looking for a pet bird, you’re probably mulling over your options. You might have come across the adorable, little parrotlet. These compact cuties have so much to offer potential owners, so they’re definitely worth checking out. If you don’t have the room in your house for a giant cage, then this mini bird might very well be your best bet. So, what options do you have? Surprisingly, there are tons of parrotlets around. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most common parrotlets you can own. Parrotlet Overview: Image Credit by Pixabay
Scientific Name Forpus coelestis
Lifespan 15 to 20 years
Diet Herbivore
Enclosure Size 18” x 18”
Parrotlets are spirited birds with fiery personalities. They capture the hearts of owners with their humorous actions and spunky antics. They do well as solo birds, but they absolutely adore being with their own kind as well. Many hobbyists adore parrotlets because they are very tiny and quiet, unlike many other larger parrots. This makes them great candidates for apartment living—or for those who simply prefer a quieter household. Also, if you don’t have ample space for a large enclosure, they take up little space. Parrotlets can be a little bit fussy about attention. You want to make sure that you handle them frequently. If you fail to socialize them properly, they can (and will) absolutely show aggression. Parrotlets tend to gravitate towards one human that they form a relationship with. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t be somewhat friendly with people in the household—or even strangers. Parrotlets thrive on attention and love to be in on the action. While parrotlet personalities are similar, there are tons of patterns and colors to choose from. Each parrotlet comes from a different place on the map, but all of them are tropical birds. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most common parrotlet pets you can find.
The 10 Parrotlet Species That Make Great Pets:
- Pacific Parrotlet
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A post shared by 饅頭| Muntou | หมั่นโถว (@babymuntou)
Price: $100 to $350
Rarity: Common
The Pacific parrotlet is one of the most common parrotlets you can find. They are often used in breeding to create lots of exciting mutations—and they sport quite interesting looks themselves. Most Pacifics are green, but they can take on yellow and blue colors, too.
- Green-Rumped Parrotlet Image Credit: Chelsea Sampson, Shutterstock
Price: $150 to $350
Rarity: Common
The green-rumped parrotlet includes four types: the Columbian, Riohacha, Trinidad, and Venezuelan parrotlet. These parrots look much like their Pacific parrotlet cousins, but the green hues are usually richer with beaks of peach to pink. This group of parrotlets carries the same physical characteristics.
- Blue Pastel Parrotlet
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A post shared by Lisa-Marie Prior (@flashheart_wolfalikes)
Price: $250 to $350
Rarity: Moderately common
The blue pastel parrotlet is a mutation that carries breathtaking aqua hues, collaborating in a medley of color. These guys range quite a bit in looks, as some of them can even sport lime-green patches. On the contrary, they can also be quite diluted with softer powdery blues.
- Spectacled Parrotlet
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A post shared by Keith A. Jones (@jazzbirdphotography)
Price: $350 to $500
Rarity: Common
Originally from Columbia, the Spectacled parrotlet is another dimorphic parrotlet species. The males are darker-toned green than their lighter female counterparts. However, both genders have a less vibrant color than many other parrotlets, focusing on neutral greens.
- Yellow-Faced Parrotlet
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A post shared by South Birding Peru (@southbirdingperu)
Price: $200 to $350
Rarity: Common
As the name implies, the yellow-faced parrotlet has a sunshine smile, touting a lemonade-like face and chest coloring. When these birds perch, their backside is a matte gray. However, when they spread their wings, impressive cobalt blues and green feathering spread out.
- Mexican Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Aslan (@asad._mfters)
Price: $100 to $350
Rarity: Common
Mexican parrotlets are visually pleasing, touting bright green feathering. On the rump and wings, you can find lovely turquoise blue markings. Because they are plentiful and prime for breeding, they make quite interesting mutations.
- Lutino Parrotlet
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A post shared by Cha Young Lee (@ishursain)
Price: $350 to $550
Rarity: Somewhat common
The lutino parrotlet is a very vibrant character. These guys have lovely colors ranging from electric yellow to lime green. Their distinct coloration makes them quite attractive candidates for breeding since it’s possible to create so many excellent colors.
- Albino Parrotlet
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A post shared by 🌈Mollie🖤Teddy💛Charli (@jones_fids)
Price: $325 to $475
Rarity: Rare
The albino parrotlet is entirely white with glowing red eyes. These rare beauties are a mutation achieved from breeding blue splits and lutinos. Unlike many other parrotlets, albinos look the same regardless of if they are male or female.
- Pied Parrotlet
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A post shared by Lᴏᴋɪ, Tʜᴏʀ, & Pᴇʀᴄʏ Bɪʀᴅɪᴇ (@lokithorpercybirdie)
Price: $450 to $500
Rarity: Extremely rare
The pied parrotlet is probably the rarest one on our list. It is absolutely gorgeous, looking like a multi-colored surprise. These birds have interchanging patches of white, turquoise, aqua, blue, gray, and all sorts of greens. They are a mutation, combining several parrotlet types for a tie-dye finish.
- Sclater’s Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by @melinagoldenbird
Price: $100 to $350
Rarity: Moderately common
The Sclater’s Parrotlet, otherwise known as the dusky-billed parrotlet, is a bright green cutie. These birds have an adorable dark bill, making them stand out over their other green cousins. Their feathering is also more muddied than other more tropical-looking parrotlets. Final Thoughts
This is not an exhaustive list of parrotlets by a long shot. There are so many different kinds of mutations that just keep growing every day. Breeders work diligently to create favorable personalities as well as incredible color structures. Which one of these gorgeous little birds caught your eye?
Featured Image Credit: Arcadio Marin, Shutterstock
If you’re looking for a pet bird, you’re probably mulling over your options. You might have come across the adorable, little parrotlet. These compact cuties have so much to offer potential owners, so they’re definitely worth checking out.
If you don’t have the room in your house for a giant cage, then this mini bird might very well be your best bet. So, what options do you have? Surprisingly, there are tons of parrotlets around. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most common parrotlets you can own.
Parrotlet Overview:
Scientific Name Forpus coelestis
Lifespan 15 to 20 years
Diet Herbivore
Enclosure Size 18” x 18”
Parrotlets are spirited birds with fiery personalities. They capture the hearts of owners with their humorous actions and spunky antics. They do well as solo birds, but they absolutely adore being with their own kind as well.
Many hobbyists adore parrotlets because they are very tiny and quiet, unlike many other larger parrots. This makes them great candidates for apartment living—or for those who simply prefer a quieter household. Also, if you don’t have ample space for a large enclosure, they take up little space.
Parrotlets can be a little bit fussy about attention. You want to make sure that you handle them frequently. If you fail to socialize them properly, they can (and will) absolutely show aggression.
Parrotlets tend to gravitate towards one human that they form a relationship with. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t be somewhat friendly with people in the household—or even strangers. Parrotlets thrive on attention and love to be in on the action.
While parrotlet personalities are similar, there are tons of patterns and colors to choose from. Each parrotlet comes from a different place on the map, but all of them are tropical birds. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most common parrotlet pets you can find.
The 10 Parrotlet Species That Make Great Pets:
1. Pacific Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by 饅頭| Muntou | หมั่นโถว (@babymuntou)
Price: $100 to $350
Rarity: Common
The Pacific parrotlet is one of the most common parrotlets you can find. They are often used in breeding to create lots of exciting mutations—and they sport quite interesting looks themselves. Most Pacifics are green, but they can take on yellow and blue colors, too.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by 饅頭| Muntou | หมั่นโถว (@babymuntou)
A post shared by 饅頭| Muntou | หมั่นโถว (@babymuntou)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Price: $100 to $350
Rarity: Common
- Price: $100 to $350
- Rarity: Common
2. Green-Rumped Parrotlet
Price: $150 to $350
Rarity: Common
The green-rumped parrotlet includes four types: the Columbian, Riohacha, Trinidad, and Venezuelan parrotlet. These parrots look much like their Pacific parrotlet cousins, but the green hues are usually richer with beaks of peach to pink. This group of parrotlets carries the same physical characteristics.
Price: $150 to $350
Rarity: Common
- Price: $150 to $350
- Rarity: Common
3. Blue Pastel Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lisa-Marie Prior (@flashheart_wolfalikes)
Price: $250 to $350
Rarity: Moderately common
The blue pastel parrotlet is a mutation that carries breathtaking aqua hues, collaborating in a medley of color. These guys range quite a bit in looks, as some of them can even sport lime-green patches. On the contrary, they can also be quite diluted with softer powdery blues.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lisa-Marie Prior (@flashheart_wolfalikes)
A post shared by Lisa-Marie Prior (@flashheart_wolfalikes)
Price: $250 to $350
Rarity: Moderately common
- Price: $250 to $350
- Rarity: Moderately common
4. Spectacled Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Keith A. Jones (@jazzbirdphotography)
Price: $350 to $500
Rarity: Common
Originally from Columbia, the Spectacled parrotlet is another dimorphic parrotlet species. The males are darker-toned green than their lighter female counterparts. However, both genders have a less vibrant color than many other parrotlets, focusing on neutral greens.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Keith A. Jones (@jazzbirdphotography)
A post shared by Keith A. Jones (@jazzbirdphotography)
Price: $350 to $500
Rarity: Common
- Price: $350 to $500
- Rarity: Common
5. Yellow-Faced Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by South Birding Peru (@southbirdingperu)
Price: $200 to $350
Rarity: Common
As the name implies, the yellow-faced parrotlet has a sunshine smile, touting a lemonade-like face and chest coloring. When these birds perch, their backside is a matte gray. However, when they spread their wings, impressive cobalt blues and green feathering spread out.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by South Birding Peru (@southbirdingperu)
A post shared by South Birding Peru (@southbirdingperu)
Price: $200 to $350
Rarity: Common
- Price: $200 to $350
- Rarity: Common
6. Mexican Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Aslan (@asad._mfters)
Mexican parrotlets are visually pleasing, touting bright green feathering. On the rump and wings, you can find lovely turquoise blue markings. Because they are plentiful and prime for breeding, they make quite interesting mutations.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Aslan (@asad._mfters)
A post shared by Aslan (@asad._mfters)
7. Lutino Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cha Young Lee (@ishursain)
Price: $350 to $550
Rarity: Somewhat common
The lutino parrotlet is a very vibrant character. These guys have lovely colors ranging from electric yellow to lime green. Their distinct coloration makes them quite attractive candidates for breeding since it’s possible to create so many excellent colors.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cha Young Lee (@ishursain)
A post shared by Cha Young Lee (@ishursain)
Price: $350 to $550
Rarity: Somewhat common
- Price: $350 to $550
- Rarity: Somewhat common
8. Albino Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by 🌈Mollie🖤Teddy💛Charli (@jones_fids)
Price: $325 to $475
Rarity: Rare
The albino parrotlet is entirely white with glowing red eyes. These rare beauties are a mutation achieved from breeding blue splits and lutinos. Unlike many other parrotlets, albinos look the same regardless of if they are male or female.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by 🌈Mollie🖤Teddy💛Charli (@jones_fids)
A post shared by 🌈Mollie🖤Teddy💛Charli (@jones_fids)
Price: $325 to $475
Rarity: Rare
- Price: $325 to $475
- Rarity: Rare
9. Pied Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lᴏᴋɪ, Tʜᴏʀ, & Pᴇʀᴄʏ Bɪʀᴅɪᴇ (@lokithorpercybirdie)
Price: $450 to $500
Rarity: Extremely rare
The pied parrotlet is probably the rarest one on our list. It is absolutely gorgeous, looking like a multi-colored surprise. These birds have interchanging patches of white, turquoise, aqua, blue, gray, and all sorts of greens. They are a mutation, combining several parrotlet types for a tie-dye finish.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lᴏᴋɪ, Tʜᴏʀ, & Pᴇʀᴄʏ Bɪʀᴅɪᴇ (@lokithorpercybirdie)
A post shared by Lᴏᴋɪ, Tʜᴏʀ, & Pᴇʀᴄʏ Bɪʀᴅɪᴇ (@lokithorpercybirdie)
Price: $450 to $500
Rarity: Extremely rare
- Price: $450 to $500
- Rarity: Extremely rare
10. Sclater’s Parrotlet
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by @melinagoldenbird
Price: $100 to $350
Rarity: Moderately common
The Sclater’s Parrotlet, otherwise known as the dusky-billed parrotlet, is a bright green cutie. These birds have an adorable dark bill, making them stand out over their other green cousins. Their feathering is also more muddied than other more tropical-looking parrotlets.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by @melinagoldenbird
A post shared by @melinagoldenbird
Price: $100 to $350
Rarity: Moderately common
- Price: $100 to $350
- Rarity: Moderately common
Final Thoughts
This is not an exhaustive list of parrotlets by a long shot. There are so many different kinds of mutations that just keep growing every day. Breeders work diligently to create favorable personalities as well as incredible color structures.
Which one of these gorgeous little birds caught your eye?
Featured Image Credit: Arcadio Marin, Shutterstock
