8 Top Brightly Colored Pet Birds

By
Alyson Kalhagen
Alyson Kalhagen
Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds and has been featured in Bird Talk Magazine.
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Updated on 02/17/22
Rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) perching on branch, Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England, UK
Colin Langford / Getty Images

Although parrots and other pet birds come in pretty much every color of the rainbow, most sport only two or three main hues. But if you are looking to adopt a new feathered friend that is extraordinarily multi-colored, there are a few striking species to select from. Here is a look at the eight most multi-colored and impressive looking pet bird species to help you compare their plumage.

Guide to Pet Bird Species
  • 01 of 08

    Sun Conure

    a pair of sun conures on a perch

    Subir Basak/Getty Images

    When it comes to brightly colored pet birds, the beautiful Sun Conure is a medium-sized parrot that combines a rainbow of colors all in one exceptionally gorgeous bird. With unexpected deep violet markings on the plumage of their tails, they sport a visually impressive color palette. Photos just don't seem to do them justice.

    Species Overview

    Length: 12 inches

    Weight: 4 to 5 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Bright orange and yellow with highlights of green and blue; black beak and feet; white circles around eyes

  • 02 of 08

    Jenday Conure

    jenday conure holding up its foot

    Paul Atkinson/Getty Images

    A close second to Sun Conures in terms of color, size, personality, and much more are the Jenday Conures. Also hailing from South America, Jenday Conures are often mistaken for young Sun Conures when they are in fact fully grown and mature adults. They sport a beautiful fiery mixture of colors.

    Species Overview

    Length: 12 inches

    Weight: 4 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Red-orange plumage on the body; green wings and back; blue on tail and trimming wings; yellow head with orange patches; black beak; gray legs

  • 03 of 08

    Rainbow Lorikeet

    two lorikeets perched on a branch

     

    Sebastian Nebel/Getty Images

    Lorikeets, and in particular the Rainbow Lorikeets, are exceptionally beautiful and colorful birds who are sure to catch just about any bird lover's eye. Originating in Australia, these little beauties have brush-like structures built onto the ends of their tongues so that they can more easily drink nectar out of the centers of flowers—a staple of their diet. In addition to their beautiful plumage, they have charming personalities and make great pets for the right people.

    Species Overview

    Length: 10 to 12 inches

    Weight: 3 to 6 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Blue plumage on face and belly; green on wings, back, and head with red breast; yellow and orange highlights on sides; red beak, gray feet

  • 04 of 08

    Scarlet-Chested Parakeet

    scarlet-chested parakeet on a branch
    Ltshears/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

    Scarlet Chested Parakeets, also commonly known as "Splendid Parakeets," are one of the families of grass parakeets and are arguably one of the most brilliantly colored ​small bird species available as pets. Use caution if you are interested in adopting one of these birds, though, as they have a reputation for being harder to tame than some other types of hookbill birds.

    Species Overview

    Length: 8 inches

    Weight: 2 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: A rainbow of dark blue, sky blue, red, green, and yellow; dimorphic red chests (males), green chests (females)

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Eclectus Parrot

    female eclectus parrot

    Kuksy Makota/EyeEm/Getty Images

    Eclectus Parrots are large, beautiful birds, known less for the many different colors they have, but rather for the brilliance of the colors that they display. Like the Scarlet Chested Parakeets, Eclectus Parrots are dimorphic; you can immediately tell the difference between males and females based on the color of their feathers. Highly sought after as pets, these intelligent birds hail from Australia and have become favorites of bird lovers around the world.

    Species Overview

    Length: 17 to 20 inches

    Weight: 13 to 19 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Primarily emerald green, red and blue under wings, and orange beak (male); primarily bright red, blue on chest and tail, and black beak (female)

  • 06 of 08

    Scarlet Macaw

    scarlet macaw flying

    Francia Apesteguy/Getty Images

    Macaws are known for their beautiful colors, bold personalities, and advanced capabilities for mimicking human speech. Like some other types of large parrots, Macaws are quite skilled at learning short phrases; some even learn to sing snippets of songs.

    Species Overview

    Length: 31 to 38 inches

    Weight: 32 to 39 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Vivid red with yellow and blue on wings and tail; white circles around eyes; tan upper bill and black lower bill; black feet

  • 07 of 08

    Rosella

    Crimson rosella (juvenile), Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria, Australia, Pacific
    Jochen Schlenker / robertharding / Getty Images

    Crimson rosellas are parrots from Australia. They are not the same kind of cuddly, human-friendly birds that some other parrots. This bird may willingly perch on a shoulder, but it may not tolerate petting. If very tame, a rosella is a fine bird for a careful child. But be wary, as there is a chance of biting. 

    Species Overview

    Length: 10 to 14 inches

    Weight: 6 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Dimorphic species: vivid red with patches of bright blue on their faces and wings; black feathers highlight the feathers on their backs; long blue tail feathers(males); dark greenish patch above the middle of their tail feathers (females)

  • 08 of 08

    Canary

    Canary bird

    DircinhaSW/Getty Images

    The wild canary is a small finch that is native to the Macranesian islands of the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. The wild canary is actually greenish yellow over most of its body with yellow underparts. Although yellow is the most common color for the domestic canary, the domestic canary has been selectively bred to produce an array of bright colors including orange, white, red, and yellow.

    Species Overview

    Length: 5 to 8 inches

    Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce

    Physical Characteristics: Feathers of bright yellow (most common), red, orange, or white; some varieties have head crests or frilly feathers

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