For many people, the first thing that draws them to bird ownership is a parrot’s colorful feathers. Whether you’re looking for a red, green, blue, or purple companion, birds offer plenty of variety. But brightly colored plumage isn’t the only trait a person should consider before adoption. These parrots are intelligent, social, active, and noisy animals that require a dedicated caretaker. If you’re ready for a feathered friend, here are eight of the most colorful parrot species.

Tip

If your bird’s feathers are looking a little dull, it might simply be from normal molting. Or it could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency or other medical issue, so consult a veterinarian if anything seems out of the ordinary.

Eclectus

The eclectus is one of the few sexually dimorphic parrot species, meaning the males and females have distinct appearances. Male birds display a vivid green color with red and blue accents while the female birds have red and blue-purple feathers. These birds are generally friendly and easygoing, but they do appreciate a caretaker who can keep them on a regular daily routine.

Species Overview

Length: 17 to 20 inches

Sun Conure

Sun conures have nearly the entire rainbow on their bodies. These captivating birds display red, yellow, and orange on their heads, chests, and wings. Those colors are offset with green and blue on their tail and flight feathers. Sun conures are often as loud as they are brightly colored. Their calls can be heard from miles away, and they’re not shy about vocalizing to express their mood.

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Length: 12 inches

Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet macaws are beautiful parrots with red, yellow, and blue feathers. Their beauty can be very tempting for someone looking for a pet parrot, but it’s important to consider more than their striking looks. These are large birds that require ample attention and space for exercise. They can be loud, messy, and moody pets that demand a lot from their caretakers.

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Length: 31 to 38 inches

Blue-and-Gold Macaw

As their name implies, blue-and-gold macaws display bright blue and yellow plumage over most of their body. They also have accents of rich green. These birds tend to be intelligent and sociable, and they love being the center of attention. But they need ample space to exercise, and they are prone to some ear-piercing vocalizations. 

Length: 30 to 36 inches 

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Length: 12 to 14 inches

Hyacinth Macaw

In addition to being one of the most brightly colored parrots, hyacinth macaws are the largest parrot species. They’re also among the most gentle and affectionate birds. However, they’re not the ideal pet for everyone. Hyacinth macaws have a reputation for being very sensitive. They need a calm environment and several hours per day of socialization to thrive.

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Length: 40 inches

Rose-Breasted Cockatoo

Rose-breasted cockatoos are pink, gray, and white birds with charming personalities. Their colors are more subdued than some other parrots, but their uniqueness makes them quite attractive. Like most cockatoos, these birds are very affectionate and sensitive. They require calm, patient caretakers who have a lot of time to spend interacting with their birds.

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Length: 12 to 15 inches

Green-Wing Macaws

With a mostly vivid red body, green-wing macaws display bright stripes of green and blue on the backs of their wings. They’re often considered “gentle giants” of the macaw family for their typically calm demeanor. However, they can be very adamant—if not obsessive—about craving attention from their favorite humans.

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Length: 26 to 40 inches

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