Best Pet Birds For Beginners That Talk: Honest Advice

When it comes to choosing a pet bird, there are many factors to consider. One important decision is whether you want a bird that talks or one that doesn’t. This article will provide an overview of the best pet birds for beginners that talk and why they make good choices for first-time bird owners.

There are many different types of pet birds, and each one has its own personality and set of needs. If you’re considering getting a pet bird, it’s important to do your research first to make sure you choose the right one for your lifestyle and personality.

The best pet birds for beginners that talk are the Quakers, Cockatiels, and Budgies. These three bird species are not only good talkers, but they are also relatively easy to take care of compared to other talking bird species.

So, if you’re a beginner looking for a pet bird that talks, then these are the best ones to start with.

But with all that aside, there are numerous types of birds, and choosing a pet can be challenging. For those planning on getting a talking bird, here are a few choices you can choose from to be your companion… 

(Take note that there’s no for sure way to know if your pet bird will talk, regardless of the species.)

Best Talking Birds For Beginners

• Budgies/Parakeets
• Cockatiels
• Quakers
• Indian Ringnecks

Not Really Beginner Birds But Are Excellent Talkers

• African Greys
• Amazons

Budgies

Parakeets known as Budgies have made it to the first choice on our list as the best pet bird for beginners that talk. They are small, not very expensive, and relatively easy to take care of. They are also some of the best talkers in the bird world and can learn to say a wide variety of words and phrases.

• Size: 7 to 8 inches
• Weight: 1.1-1.4 ounces
• Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
• Cost: $10 to $35

Budgerigars are one of the most popular kinds of companion birds, and they are great talkers. They can learn both long and short phrases and, interestingly, songs.

However, they are not the loud-talking variety that many other talking birds have due to their small size. Still, this is not the case with tiny budgies. They don’t want to be outdone by their bigger brothers, so they make up for it in smarts. According to records, budgies have set world records in the field of avian vocabularies.

Their voice, being grave, has nothing to do with their talking and learning ability. So, if you’re searching for a quiet little bird who can talk, the Budgie is an excellent choice!

READ MORE: 11 Best Pet Birds For Beginners

Cockatiels

Cockatiels come in second on our list as they are also really good talkers and fairly easy to take care of. The best thing about cockatiels is that they love attention and being around people. They are social creatures and love to be held, snuggled on your shoulder, and petted.

• Size: 12 to 14 inches
• Weight: 2.5-4.2 ounces
• Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
• Cost: $75 to $350

Cockatiels are great birds for those looking for a pet bird that talks, but there is one catch. If you want a talking bird, you’ll need a male Cockatiel. Female cockatiels aren’t really talkers and instead prefer to chirp and whistle If you don’t want to gamble on getting a male or female cockatiel, our advice is to get a DNA test first.

We have a male cockatiel who enjoys talking and whistling various songs. Cockatiels are frequently overlooked as talkative birds since they aren’t as big as their parrot relatives. These amazing birds have a larger vocabulary than most talking parrots. Cockatiels can learn up to 250 phrases.

As we mentioned earlier, cockatiels make great beginner birds for those looking for a pet that talks. The best thing about them is that they love attention and will bond closely with their owner. They are social creatures and need daily interaction to thrive.

Quaker Parrots

If you want an EXCELLENT TALKER that is suitable for a beginner bird owner, then a Quaker is a great choice.

The Quaker Parrot is also known as the monk parakeet and is quite clever and sociable. Their vocabularies are extensive, and since they are quick learners, they make outstanding conversational pets for beginners wanting a talking bird. However, since these birds are considered invasive in some areas of the United States, it’s essential for you to do your research before adopting one of these birds.

• Size: 11 inches
• Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Lifespan: 30 years
• Cost: $400-$1500

Quakers can learn between 50 to 60 words and phrases and are known to be one of the best talking birds for beginners. They can also mimic other sounds, such as a dog barking or a telephone ringing. These beautiful parrots can outspeak their larger parrot species in terms of clarity and how clearly they are able to speak.

Quakers are very social creatures and enjoy being around people. If you’re looking for a pet bird that talks and don’t mind their loud squawking and quaking, then the Quaker Parrot is a great choice in our list of the best pet birds for beginners that talk!

Indian Ringnecks

Indian Ringnecks are not ideal beginner birds since they can be a bit stubborn and difficult to train. However, they make for excellent talking pets due to their unique personality and extensive vocabulary. With patience and consistent training, Indian Ringnecks can learn to say a wide variety of phrases and words.

• Size: 16 inches
• Weight: 4 to 5 ounces
• Lifespan: 20 to 50 Years
• Cost: $700-$2,000

These birds can learn to speak in complete sentences and are great at mimicking sounds. These pet birds can learn long phrases as easily as they can small words.

Ringnecks are also capable of speaking with great clarity, and as a result, you should be able to understand everything they are saying. Indian Ringnecks are very loud, and their noise level is consistent throughout the day. If you can’t tolerate prolonged amounts of noise, an Indian Ringneck may not be the best choice for you.

READ MORE: THE BEST PET BIRDS FOR BEGINNERS THAT TALK

Not Beginner Birds That Are Excellent Talkers

Now that you know some of the best pet birds for beginners that talk, we want to mention a few other bird species that are excellent talkers but may not be suitable for inexperienced bird owners.

African Grey

Surprisingly, the African Grey is considered to be one of the most intelligent talking parrots. They can mimic a variety of words and can even imitate other birds with a vast vocabulary.

• Size: 13 inches
• Weight: 14 ounces
• Lifespan: 20-80 years
• Cost: $2,000-$7,000

African Greys are as smart as a 2 or 3-year-old toddler and can learn up to 1,000 words or more. Because of their intelligence and talking abilities, they are often recommended to experienced bird owners.

Adopting a talking bird just because of their capacity to talk is not advised. There are numerous other things to consider before deciding which bird species should join your home. Because no bird is absolutely certain to speak, this is something that must be considered as well.

Yellow-Naped Amazon

According to popular belief, the Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot is regarded as the best talking Amazon. Amazons are recognized for having enormous vocabularies and can string words together into coherent sentences with appropriate tempo and tone.

• Size: 15-27 inches
• Weight: 16-23 ounces
• Lifespan: 60-80 years
• Cost: $2,000 to $5,000

These birds are quite intelligent and enjoy socializing, communicating, and even singing. They have a pleasant voice that many people find to be very soothing.

But, while they are fun and charming, these birds are not for inexperienced bird owners. Their mood can change in a matter of minutes, especially the males during the breeding season. This may prompt an Amazon to bite you, especially if you have limited experience reading parrot body language.

Although the Yellow-Naped Amazon is a great talker and pet to have, he is not the best talking bird for beginners.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a pet bird that talks, be sure to do your research before making a decision. Not all talking birds are ideal for beginners, and some may be better suited for experienced bird owners. Make sure to consider the size of the bird, their temperament, and how much noise they make before deciding on a pet bird that talks.

What are some of your favorite talking birds? Let us know in the comments below!

And, if you’re looking for more information on the best pet birds for beginners, be sure to check out Best Parrots For Beginners to learn more.

FAQs

What is the best talking bird for a beginner?

The best talking bird for a beginner is the Budgie. Budgies are small, easy to care for, and have a great capacity for learning words and phrases.

What is the best pet bird that talks?

The best pet bird that talks is the African Grey. They are considered one of the most intelligent talking parrots and can mimic various words and sounds.

What is the best bird to have as a pet that talks?

The best-talking pet bird for you will depend on what you want in a bird. Some birds are more stubborn and hands-off, while other talking birds enjoy being much more active. If you have experience with birds, African Greys and Yellow-Naped Amazons are the most talkative species.

What pet birds can you train to talk?

The best pet birds for talking are African Greys, Yellow-Naped Amazons, Budgies, Cockatiels, Quakers, and Indian Ringnecks. These species have the best capacity for learning words and phrases. However, almost any bird can be trained to talk with enough training and patience.

What is the cheapest bird to buy that talks?

The cheapest bird to buy that talks is the Budgie. They are small birds that don’t require a lot of space or upfront investment, making them a more affordable option for pet bird owners.