Today we're going to take a look at some of the most eye-catching, colorful parrots on our planet. With so many beautiful parrots to choose from, coming up with only a few isn't easy, but here are some of the most commonly admired species and a little about their life in the wild and our homes.

The Sun Conure

Sun conures are one of the most recognizable parrot species. They have distinct, bright feathers made up primarily of orange, red, and yellow, but also have even more colors on their wings and tail. They come from a small area in the northeast region of South America and typically live in flocks of 15 to 30 members. They like to nest in tree hollows and spend their days performing tasks such as foraging and preening side by side with their flockmates. Not only is the color of the Sun conure's feathers considered to be attention grabbing, their vocalizations are also impressively loud. They can be heard from a distance and are one of the most rehomed parrots due to their loudness. But for those that can handle the noise, their fun personalities, the companionship they provide, and their beautiful colors make up for it. They do well with lots of enrichment through training and by providing opportunities to use their beaks to shred, chew, and explore their environment. 

They can live up to about 30 years and even longer in some cases. There's plenty of examples of people talking about their sun conure living well into their 30s. Like with most parrots, their varied diet and impressive intelligence has helped them to thrive in their natural habitat. However, due to human activities, their numbers have started drastically decreasing in the wild. They are now listed as an endangered species. Some contributing factors to this include deforestation and illegal trapping for the pet trade. Efforts are underway to help with Sun conure numbers, but as it stands, there are more of them in houses and sanctuaries than there are in the wild. There's still time to make the changes that are needed to see their numbers go up, but quick action will be necessary to help the Sun conure thrive again in the wild.

The Rainbow Lorikeet

The Rainbow lorikeet comes from the northern and eastern seaboard of Australia from northern Queensland to South Australia. They live in woodland and rainforest habitats but also can be found in urban areas where there are lots of trees. Their feathers are made up of multiple colors such as green, blue, orange, and yellow. They’ve got a pretty specialized diet. They eat nectar and pollen in the wild but will also eat some soft foods like fruit, blossoms, and buds. In addition to nectar and pollen food, domestic Lorikeets can also be fed pellets. However, Lorikeet owners have to be sure they are providing them with the specialized nutrition they require.

Their vocalizations might not be as ear-shatteringly loud as a Cockatoo or Sun conure, but they are considered to be quite noisy birds. They can often be heard chattering and making high-pitched, screeching noises from a distance. These birds are beloved by many and once you spend some time with them, it’s easy to see why. They're often observed to be energetic, expressive, and can make great companions if properly cared for. As long as their nutritional needs are met and they are provided with enough enrichment, a Lorikeet can be happy in a home.

Lorikeets are often used as exhibits at fairs and amusement parks. They usually consist of a tent where people can walk through and hold out cups of nectar to feed them. While fun for the humans, these exhibits can be stressful for the birds that are used in them due to the constant activity, noise, and inability to escape and unwind if they feel overwhelmed. Because of this, there's been some pushback against those that use Lorikeets in exhibits. 

The Eastern Rosella

The Eastern Rosella is originally native and endemic to south-eastern Australia as well as widely, yet sparsely, distributed throughout Tasmania. However, after being brought to New Zealand and either intentionally and/or by escaping their cages, they can now also be found there in the wild. They can mainly be found in open forests, grasslands, and woodlands. Their contrasting colors are quite striking. Their feathers are made up of red, white, yellow, and blue and can instantly catch the eye of anyone nearby. Their contact call is loud and high-pitched, and can be heard as they fly swiftly through the air, undulating as they go. Common food sources include fruit, grass seeds, and nectar. They’ve also been seen eating some insects and their larvae. They will feed both in the trees and also along the ground.

The Eastern Rosella’s conservation status is listed as “least concern” thanks to a good breeding success rate and fair resource availability where they live. In a domestic setting, the Eastern Rosella thrives when they are provided with a large cage with plenty of space to move around because of how active they are. An aviary with other birds of the same species is ideal. This can be said for most parrots, of course, but I have seen it mentioned quite a bit among Eastern Rosella owners. There are always exceptions, but this bird is very commonly referred to as being quite independent and happy to spend time on their own or with their flockmates parallel to their human companions without needing to be physically close.

The Scarlet Macaw

The Scarlet Macaw is a large, colorful parrot found along Middle America from Southern Mexico to Panama and found in tropical forests. They eat mostly nuts, fruit, and seeds. They are arguably the most recognizable parrot even by those that don’t familiarize themselves with the species. Their bodies are covered mostly by red feathers but also feature striking blue and yellow on their wings. Their calls are loud and consist of screeching and drawn out squawks and can be heard from an impressive distance. Both their appearance and vocalizations are very distinct. Scarlet Macaws are listed with a conservation status of “least concern” for now, but that could change in the future to their declining numbers in some areas. In Middle America, it is thought that their population is no more than 4,000. 

In captivity, these birds can be a rewarding companion if cared for properly and by a person willing to make some adjustments to their home and lifestyle. They thrive in a home where they are involved in their human’s day and given plenty of enriching activities. They can form a strong bond with humans and their Macaw flock mates under the right conditions. However, the Scarlet Macaw is not an easy bird to have as a pet. They are very large and require a lot of space to move around. They are also very loud when confined within a home. Their calls are meant to carry across the treetops, not within four walls! Because of these challenges, Scarlet Macaws are one of the most surrendered parrots to parrot rescue organizations. They are being surrendered in such large numbers that there is simply not enough space in many rescues.

Every parrot is beautiful - but the most beautiful parrot in the world is likely the one that you call your friend. Give your bird something healthy and enriching by trying out one of our delicious parrot foods.

Looking for somewhere to start? Try our Tri-Pack Sampler with our famous Appleberry, Southern Feast, and Hearty Veggies blends!

References:

Juniper, Tony, and Mike Parr. Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World. Yale University Press, 2003.