Best Trainable Pet Birds Species List

Birds are more than just colorful pets. Many are smart, friendly, and love to learn. If you want a bird that can talk, do tricks, and bond with you, you’re in the right place. This guide shares the best Trainable Pet Birds Species List for U.S. bird lovers. These birds aren’t just pretty—they’re playful, curious, and full of personality.

From parrots to parakeets, you’ll discover birds that are fun, loving, and easy to teach. Whether you’re new to birds or have owned them for years, there’s a perfect match waiting. Let’s explore the best Trainable Pet Birds Species List to find your ideal feathered friend.

Best Trainable Pet Birds Species

Some birds are just born to entertain and engage. These eight stand out for their intelligence, playful nature, and eagerness to interact. With proper training, a stimulating environment, and regular socialization, these birds become unforgettable companions.

Macaws

Macaws are bold, beautiful, and bursting with personality. Native to South America, they’re among the largest parrots in the world and known for their colorful feathers and thunderous calls. But these birds aren’t just loud—they’re intelligent, highly social, and incredibly trainable with the right approach. Macaws respond well to reinforcement techniques, and with daily interaction, they can learn to talk, follow commands, and even perform tricks. Their lifespan can exceed 50 years, so they’re a long-term commitment. In the U.S., they need large cages, plenty of toys for stimulation, and a consistent routine to keep them happy and mentally healthy.

African Grey Parrots

Ask any bird expert what the smartest pet bird is, and they’ll probably say the African Grey Parrot. These birds are masters of mimicry, capable of learning over 100 words and even understanding context. Native to Central Africa, African Greys are also emotionally deep—forming strong bonds and reacting to their owner’s mood. Training an African Grey involves both verbal and physical commands, paired with praise and positive reinforcement. They thrive with daily stimulation, mental enrichment, and regular social time. With the right care, they can live up to 60 years and become a truly communicative, loyal family member.

Amazon Parrots

Amazon Parrots are loud, lively, and full of character. These medium-sized birds from South America are incredibly vocal and often enjoy showing off their expanding vocabulary. While not as precise in speech as African Greys, they’re still great talkers and love to entertain. Their bold personalities make them a great fit for confident owners who can keep up with their energy. They need a stimulating space with lots of interaction, especially during training. These birds live up to 40–50 years and are best suited for people who want a playful, affectionate, and occasionally mischievous buddy.

Cockatoos

Known for their fluffy crests and loving nature, Cockatoos are emotional powerhouses. Originating from Australia and nearby islands, they’re not just interactive—they crave attention. Cockatoos often become deeply attached to their owners and are happiest when involved in daily routines. With consistent training and a mix of toys, vocalization practice, and gentle handling, they can learn simple commands and even mimic short phrases. One of the most famous species, the Umbrella Cockatoo, is especially popular in the U.S. These birds live 40+ years and require lots of care, time, and affection to stay emotionally balanced.

Budgies Parakeets

Tiny but mighty, Budgies (also called Budgerigars) are one of the most popular birds in the U.S.—and for good reason. Native to Australia, these small parrots are surprisingly great talkers, often picking up dozens of words with repeated practice. They’re easy to train, friendly with daily interaction, and perfect for beginners thanks to their low care needs and cheerful personality. Budgies thrive in pairs or alone with plenty of human time, and they love learning new sounds and games. A mix of short training sessions and routine handling can bring out their best.

Mynah Birds

Mynah Birds are talkative, fast learners that often surprise owners with their almost human-like speech. They’re not parrots but can out-talk most of them in clarity. These birds are native to Asia, but they’ve found popularity in the U.S. thanks to their engaging, playful personalities. Mynahs are best for homes that can provide large, open cages, a high-protein diet, and daily mental stimulation. They don’t usually enjoy cuddling, but they’re endlessly entertaining, and their ability to mimic tones, laughter, and full phrases makes them stand out among trainable birds.

Lovebirds

Don’t let their small size fool you—Lovebirds are bursting with character. These compact parrots from Madagascar and Africa are deeply affectionate, especially when hand-raised. While they don’t speak much, they’re highly trainable when it comes to behaviors and tricks, especially with consistent interaction and a structured routine. Lovebirds often form strong bonds with their owner—or with a mate if kept in pairs. They love exploring their space, chewing on toys, and climbing anything they can grip. With proper care, they’re joyful, loyal companions full of energy.

Canaries

Canaries aren’t talkers, but they’re unmatched in song. These musical birds are known for their clear, sweet tunes that brighten any home. Native to the Canary Islands, they’ve been beloved in the U.S. for generations. While they don’t do tricks or mimic voices, Canaries can be trained to recognize routines, respond to whistles, and get used to gentle handling. They’re low-maintenance and ideal for people who want a beautiful, cheerful bird without all the noise of larger species. Their training is more about building comfort and routine than teaching commands, but they make excellent companions for quieter homes.

21 Trainable Pet Birds Species List

The world of pet birds is more diverse than most people think. Beyond the well-known parrots, many smaller and lesser-known birds also show great promise when it comes to training, interaction, and learning. Here’s a look at 21 species known for their intelligence, curiosity, and potential to become excellent companions with the right care and stimulation.

1. Cockatiel 

Native to Australia, these gentle birds are known for their whistling ability and friendly nature. They’re easy to train using simple commands, and with consistency, they respond well to positive reinforcement. Cockatiels are perfect for beginners and love daily interaction.

2. Budgerigar  

Also called Budgies, these small parakeets are incredibly vocal, cheerful, and fast learners. They can mimic words and learn routines with patience and frequent handling.

3. Grey Parrot (African Grey)   

Among the most intelligent birds, African Greys can develop extensive vocabularies and even understand context. They thrive with mental enrichment, training, and deep bonding.

4. Domestic Canary   

These musical, low-maintenance birds may not perform tricks, but they can be trained to sing on cue and feel comfortable with daily routine and gentle handling.

5. Cockatoo 

From Umbrella Cockatoos to Sulphur-Crested, these birds are loving, emotional, and full of personality. With consistent socialization, they become deeply attached and respond well to behavioral training.

6. Finch 

Finches aren’t as trainable in terms of tricks or speech, but they adapt well to regular routines and environments. Zebra Finches, in particular, are known for their lively and interactive behavior.

7. Columbidae (Doves and Pigeons)  

These peaceful birds are incredibly easy to tame and enjoy gentle interaction. With patience, many learn to return to handlers and respond to soft vocal commands.

8. Amazon Parrots 

Known for their bold, talkative nature, Amazons are best for experienced owners. They’re eager to show off their talking skills, especially with strong daily engagement and a fun environment.

9. Green-cheeked Parakeet 

These compact birds are both playful and full of energy. They love exploring, playing with toys, and learning new behaviors through reinforcement.

10. Lovebirds 

While they aren’t known for speech, Lovebirds are very affectionate and can learn tricks and social behaviors through daily handling and interactive play.

11. Parrotlet 

Often called the tiniest parrots, Parrotlets are full of attitude. Despite their size, they’re highly trainable, active, and enjoy one-on-one bonding with their owner.

12. Macaw 

These large, colorful, and social parrots are visual learners. They thrive with consistent training, structured routines, and lots of enrichment to keep their minds engaged.

13. Moluccan Eclectus 

These birds from the Maluku Islands have gentle personalities and prefer routine. They respond best to calm, patient training, and a quiet environment.

14. Hyacinth Macaw 

The largest parrot species, Hyacinths are gentle giants. Native to South America, they love interactive play and can learn basic commands with dedication and repetition.

15. Blue-headed Parrot 

These small to medium parrots are less common but make engaging, friendly pets. With time, they can learn to talk and pick up tricks through repetition.

16. Quaker Parakeet 

Also known as Monk Parakeets, these birds are intelligent, talkative, and adapt well to domestic training. They’re popular in many U.S. homes for their charming personalities.

17. Conures 

These birds come in many types, like the Sun or Jenday Conure. All are active, noisy, and very social. They love learning tricks, dancing to music, and being the center of attention.

18. Zebra Finch 

While they won’t mimic speech, Zebra Finches are lively, musical, and fun to observe. They thrive in pairs and enjoy structured routines.

19. Rose-ringed Parakeet 

Also known as the Indian Ringneck Parakeet, they’re good talkers and can learn phrases and commands with consistent practice. They need space, structure, and daily interaction.

20. Bourke’s Parrot 

These soft-spoken birds are less demanding than others but still respond well to gentle training. With patience, they’ll adapt to handling and enjoy social time.

21. Mynah Bird 

Not a parrot, but one of the best mimics. Mynahs can repeat words with stunning clarity and love to interact with people. They need large cages, a special diet, and space to hop and explore.

The Types of Birds Pet Owners Love

In the U.S., bird lovers gravitate toward species that balance trainability, companionship, and personality. Parakeets (Budgies) lead the pack thanks to their low cost, ease of care, and vocal skills. Cockatiels are a close second for their sweet songs and playful spirit.

Doves are loved for their calm presence and soothing coos, while Canaries add cheer with their music. Larger birds like Hyacinth Macaws and African Grey Parrots have a more dedicated fan base due to their intelligence, emotional depth, and impressive mimicry. Then there are Lovebirds, Green-Cheeked Conures, and Pionus Parrots, adored for their vibrant personalities, manageable size, and ability to form strong bonds. Whether you’re looking for a talker, a cuddler, or simply a beautiful, cheerful companion, there’s a perfect bird for every household.

Conclusion

Choosing the right bird starts with knowing what each species can offer. The best Trainable Pet Birds Species List includes birds that are smart, playful, and love human attention. From the chatty African Grey Parrot to the tiny but clever Budgerigar, each one brings something special. With daily care, the right environment, and consistent training, these birds can become loyal and fun companions.

If you’re ready to welcome a bird into your home, think about your lifestyle, time, and space. The bond you’ll build with a trainable pet bird is one of a kind—full of laughter, love, and endless chirps.