Parrot And Parakeet Difference: Real Owner Guide To Identify Them

I was curious to know “Parrot And Parakeet Difference” which helped me to choose the right pet/friend for my whole family.

However, if you want to know: Are parakeets and parrots the same? 

So, the answer is: Parakeets & parrots are not the same, as they belong to different species of birds.

Parrots & parakeets are colorful pet birds that can mimic human speech, but they have differences that people looking to know.

In this blog, I’ll clarify your many thoughts including:

• Difference between parrot vs parakeet 
• Are parakeets and parrots the same?

Overview Of Parrots & Parakeets

Parrots are birds with strong beaks, short tails & special feet. They vary in size, from small to large.

Parrots are smart animals that need mental challenges, interaction with others & a mix of foods to be happy & healthy.

Parakeets are a kind of small parrot called budgerigars or budgies. They are known for being friendly, social & easy to take care of.

People like them as pets because they can learn tricks and copy sounds.

Parrot And Parakeet Difference: Size, Tail, Lifespan & Intelligence

Parrots & parakeets are birds in the same family, but they are different in a few ways.

Here is a comparison to know the difference between parrots and parakeets based on their classification, appearance, behavior, etc.

Feature	Parrots	Parakeets
Size	5 – 40 inches	6 -18 inches
Tail	Short to long	Long & tapering
Lifespan	Up to 60-80 years	5-15 years
Communication	Advanced mimicking abilities	Mimicking, less extensive
Intelligence	Highly intelligent, problem-solving	Intelligent, playful
Nesting	Tree cavities, cliffs, ground burrows	Tree hollows
Clutch Size	2-8 eggs	4-6 eggs
Diet	Seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, small animals	Primarily seeds, fruits, vegetables
Bonding	Strong pair bonds	Strong social bonds
Health Concerns	Feather plucking, obesity, respiratory issues	Mites, respiratory infections, dietary issues
Space Requirements	Large cages/aviaries, out-of-cage time	Spacious cages & need exercise

Classification

• Parrots: The word “parrot” includes more than 350 types of birds in the Psittaciformes group. These birds are divided into three families: Psittacidae (true parrots), Cacatuidae (cockatoos) & Strigopidae (New Zealand parrots).

• Parakeets: Parakeets are a type of bird in the Psittacidae family, known for their long tails. The most famous parakeet is the Budgerigar.

Physical Characteristics

Parrots

• Size: It comes in different sizes. Some are small, like lovebirds which are 5-7 inches long, while others are large, like macaws that can be up to 40 inches long.

• Color: Very different; lots of types of birds have bright & colorful feathers.

• Beak: A tough, curved beak good for breaking open nuts and seeds.

• Tail: It can be either short & square or long and pointed, depending on the type of parrot.

Parakeets

• Size: Smaller from 6-18 inches.

• Color: Also colorful, but usually with repeating patterns like green, blue & yellow.

• Beak: Smaller but still strong & curved.

• Tail: Long & narrowing.

Behavior

Parrots

• Social: Highly social & live in flocks.

• Communication: Known for their ability to mimic sounds & human speech.

• Intelligence: Highly intelligent with problem-solving skills.

• Lifespan: Can live for many decades; some species, like macaws, can live up to 60-80 years.

Parakeets

• Social: Also social & can be seen in flocks.

• Communication: Able to copy noises, but not as well as bigger parrots.

• Intelligence: Intelligent & playful but with less complex behaviors compared to larger parrots.

• Lifespan: Shorter around 5-15 years, although some species can live longer with proper care.

Habitat

Parrots

• Availability: Can be found around the world like South America, Africa, Asia 7 Australia.

• Habitat: Comes in many different types, like rainforests, savannas, grasslands & mountains.

Parakeets

• Availability: Also found in many places, including Australia, South America & Asia, with large populations.

• Habitat: Most parakeets like to live in open areas like grasslands, forests & savannas. Some parakeets can also live in cities.

Common Examples

Parrots

• Macaws (e.g., Blue-and-Gold Macaw)
• African Grey Parrot
• Amazon Parrots (e.g., Yellow-headed Amazon)

Parakeets

• Budgerigar (often referred to as “budgie”)
• Indian Ringneck Parakeet
• Monk Parakeet (Quaker Parrot)

Conclusion

In conclusion, parrots and parakeets are both smart & colorful pet birds. However, they are different in some ways.

Parrots are bigger with strong beaks & can talk, while parakeets are smaller with long tails. 

Knowing the differences between them can help you choose the right bird for your family.

Both birds can be great pets, but it depends on what you want in a bird friend.

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