Birds That Can Talk: To the Best Talking Birds and Considerations for a Pet Bird 

We all know that parrots are famous for having intelligence, bright plumages, and unique singing abilities. However, most people want to have a parrot as a pet as it is one of the birds that can talk! 

Some species have caught the limelight due to their extraordinary capability of imitating the human voice through mimicry.

If you were wondering, “What birds can talk?” this guide will introduce you to some of the best talking birds and the top considerations to keep in mind if you make your decision to keep one as a pet. 

Best Birds That Can Talk: Which One to Choose as a Pet?

Bird	Talking Ability	Lifespan	Noise Level	Personality
Budgerigar (Budgie)	Excellent mimicker, large vocabulary	5-10 years	Moderate	Playful, social
Cockatiel	Good at whistling, limited words	15-20 years	Moderate	Affectionate, friendly
Quaker Parakeet	Fast learner, can mimic phrases	20-30 years	Loud	Energetic, social
Ring-necked Parakeet	Clear speech, learns multiple words	20-30 years	Loud	Independent, intelligent
Eclectus Parrot	Clear voice, slow learner but great speaker	30-50 years	Moderate	Calm, gentle
Yellow-naped Amazon	Exceptional talker, emotional tone	50-60 years	Loud	Social, intelligent
Cockatoo	Mimics sounds well, limited vocabulary	40-70 years	Very loud	Affectionate, attention-seeking
Macaw	Can learn phrases, very loud	40-80 years	Extremely loud	Playful, high-energy
Myna Bird	Clear speech, excellent mimicry	12-25 years	Moderate	Curious, friendly
African Grey Parrot	Best talker, understands context	50-60 years	Moderate	Highly intelligent, sensitive

While there can be a lot of options when it comes to birds that can talk, it is important that you know your options well. So, here are some of the most popular birds that can talk for you to pet: 

1. Budgerigar (Budgie)

First on the list of the best types of birds that can talk we have Budgies! These are small, friendly, and highly intelligent birds. 

Most people would be surprised to learn that these little creatures can actually learn quite a bit to mimic human speech. 

Furthermore, with proper training with treats and praise, they can really learn a large vocabulary. Besides, their playful nature attracts bird lovers.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Excellent mimicker, large vocabulary
Lifespan	5-10 years
Noise Level	Moderate
Personality	Playful, social

2. Cockatiel

Secondly, Cockatiels are not very good talkers, but they can whistle beautifully and mimic a few simple phrases. 

Affectionate birds that bond easily with their owners by learning to perform tricks make this particular pet favorite for their friendly disposition and simple care.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Good at whistling, limited words
Lifespan	15-20 years
Noise Level	Moderate
Personality	Affectionate, friendly

3. Quaker Parakeet (Monk Parakeet)

Third on the list of birds that can talk is a Quaker parrot! These parrots are among the best talkers of any pet. 

They learn new words and phrases quickly and are social, energetic birds that enjoy human company. 

Furthermore, being naturally intelligent, they require a lot of stimulation, including toys to keep them occupied.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Fast learner, can mimic phrases
Lifespan	20-30 years
Noise Level	Loud
Personality	Energetic, social

4. Ring-necked Parakeet

Next on the list of the birds that can talk, we have the ring-necked parakeet! Although not loud, these birds are pretty decent talkers if given constant training. 

Additionally, they can acquire quite an extensive vocabulary and might even copy the pitch and tone of human voices. These birds are quite patient in their training and socialization requirements. 

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Clear speech, learns multiple words
Lifespan	20-30 years
Noise Level	Loud
Personality	Independent, intelligent

5. Eclectus Parrot

Eclectus parrots are very calm, gentle, and have good speech. They imitate words well and are commonly known to form good bonds with their owners. 

Furthermore, they are an intelligent species that truly needs a balanced diet and a stimulating environment.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Clear voice, slow learner but great speaker
Lifespan	30-50 years
Noise Level	Moderate
Personality	Calm, gentle

6. Yellow-naped Amazon

The nape yellow Amazon is one of the best cockatoos to train. They can easily learn what human words can be spoken.

Very intelligent birds are developed to get along and are characterized by their competence at learning a wide range of words, sometimes even phrases. 

They require a lot of attention and mental stimulation.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Exceptional talker, emotional tone
Lifespan	50-60 years
Noise Level	Loud
Personality	Social, intelligent

7. Cockatoo

Cockatoos are lovely birds that like to interact with their owners. 

They may not have a big vocabulary. However, these creatures are adept at mimicking many things. Additionally, they can also learn many words and phrases. 

They need care so that they are not neglected; otherwise, could become even louder.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Mimics sounds well, limited vocabulary
Lifespan	40-70 years
Noise Level	Very loud
Personality	Affectionate, attention-seeking

8. Macaw

Macaws are risk-takers with voices that can be heard hundreds of feet away. The more you teach them, the more articulate they become.

Their raucous talking and playful nature make them an interesting pet, mainly for the experienced owner who can offer sufficient space and care.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Can learn phrases, very loud
Lifespan	40-80 years
Noise Level	Extremely loud
Personality	Playful, high-energy

9. Myna Bird

Mynas have a fairly clear talent for imitating human speech that sounds really good and clear indeed. Through the use of a quiet naturalistic low pitch, they achieve the highest standard they are endowed with by nature.

Mynas can make a wonderful pet species for bird lovers. This clarity and voice ability also permit them to gain insight that makes the pet form of verbal communication of these white-vented mynahs a truly exciting occurrence.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Clear speech, excellent mimicry
Lifespan	12-25 years
Noise Level	Moderate
Personality	Curious, friendly

10. African Grey Parrot

African grays are probably the most intelligent talking birds. They can create a large repertoire of words and even attach meaning.

Their skills render them very much in demand as pets, but they need a lot of training, attention, and mental stimuli.

Feature	Description
Talking Ability	Best talker, understands context
Lifespan	50-60 years
Noise Level	Moderate
Personality	Highly intelligent, sensitive

Things to Consider Before Petting Birds That Can Talk

Owning a talking bird as a pet is a moral commitment-making decision, and it is a decision that remains valid for both parties for life. 

Here are a few important considerations before making the decision:

1. Time and Commitment 

First, most talking bird species need daily interaction and socialization with their owners so that they become reliant on human company. Withdrawal may precipitate behavioral problems such as feather plucking or shouting. 

2. Loudness

Secondly, very few birds are loud, while macaws and cockatoos are extremely loud; not meant for apartment life. So, find out all possible things first about noise level in any bird species before making a decision. 

3. Lifespan 

That is yet another long-lived talking bird. African greys and Amazons’ lifespans could even reach 50-60 years.

The budgie, however, has a diminished lifespan of about 5-10 years. Ensure that the long-term commitment is manageable, though.

4. Space Requirement 

Larger species need larger cages and lots of out-of-the-cage exercise. Make sure there is a space where a bird would be happy and comfortable.

5. Training and socialization

With bird talkers, training is a continuous process. They learn well when repetition and positive reinforcement are used.

If your schedule does not allow much time for you to dedicate to training, perhaps a talking bird is not the right pet for you.

6. Diet and Nutrition

An appropriate diet is the bedrock of well-being for each bird. Most talking birds require a varied diet that can include seeds, pellets, fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Proper nutrients help maintain bird health and well-being. 

7. Cost and Expenses

The price of a talking bird fluctuates depending on the species. In addition to that, there are recurrent costs incurred by a bird, expenditure on food, toys, health, and all other accessories. Assess your pockets’ financial capability to take this commitment.

8. Personality and Compatibility

Birds have their own personalities. The African grey may have its mind, while the cockatoo wants you beside it 24/7. Pick the one who suits you well with your lifestyle and personality.

Final Thoughts!

Talking birds make beautiful and rewarding companions; however, they require commitment, patience, and good care.

Whether your species is budgie, African grey, or Amazon parrot, remember they still need love and attention coupled with care.

Make sure you do proper homework before you adopt so that it can suit your lifestyle. A talking bird with proper care may last a lifetime as a friend and be a source of laughter for the entire family.