Different Kinds of Large Birds

Birds of all types and sizes are certainly captivating and fascinating creatures, but some of the most impressive of all are the large birds, and in particular, the large parrot species. These birds know no ends to their talents -- many of them can learn to talk, perform tricks, and complete a variety of tasks to delight their owners, enriching the bonds that they share with them. Most of all, these birds have endlessly charming personalities, and many would argue that they are some of the most affectionate pets in the animal kingdom. Read on to learn more about some of the different types of large birds that are commonly kept in captivity, and discover what it's like to share a home with these magnificent creatures.

• Cockatoos

Originating in Australia, there are as many types of Cockatoos as there are colors of the rainbow -- but one thing that they all have in common is that they make incredible affectionate and loving pets for the right people. Caring for a Cockatoo can be a tough job. They require many hours of direct interaction each day and thrive on their owners' companionship. Anyone who adopts a Cockatoo must make sure that they have plenty of free time to spend with their birds, otherwise a Cockatoo will not be very happy in captivity. For those who are up to the task, these birds can provide a wealth of love and companionship.

• Eclectus Parrots

Another favorite type of large bird are the Eclectus Parrots, also hailing from "Down Under." These birds are unique in that they are known as a dimorphic species, which means that the males can be discerned from the females just by looking at the colors of their feathers. The male Eclectus is a bright green color, with red and blue accents on the undersides of his wings. The females are a brilliant red color, with vivid purple bellies. Both make excellent pets, and have charming and affectionate personalities when properly socialized.

• African Grey Parrots

As their name makes evident, the beautiful African Grey Parrots are originally from Africa, and are widely known as some of the most intelligent bird species on the planet. Many studies have been done on these birds, and the results have been astounding -- some have even found that these birds have the intellect and emotional capacities of human toddlers, which is pretty incredible! Of course, this means that African Greys need special owners that have a deep commitment to caring for them. They need lots of human interaction, mental stimulation, and socialization in order to thrive as pets, so it's important that anyone who adopts one to make sure that they can meet their needs.

• Amazon Parrots

The strikingly beautiful Amazon Parrots come from South America, where they make their homes in warm and humid climates. Even so, they have grown to become popular pets all around the world. These birds are very clever and many become proficient talkers, building impressive vocabularies and speaking with great clarity. They are affectionate with their owners and form strong bonds with their human caretakers. Amazon parrots have been known to live for a very long time in captivity, even in excess of 60 years. For this reason and more, it's very important that those who are interested in keeping one as a pet has the desire and the means to commit to providing excellent care for them.

• Macaws

The bold Macaws are some of the most easily recognizable birds on the planet, no doubt due to their popularity in movies and bird shows around the world. It's no wonder that these birds are a favorite of those in the entertainment industry -- they are beautiful, intelligent, and highly trainable, capable of learning to mimic speech as well as perform a variety of tricks and commands. Like other large birds, Macaws make loving pets who bond strongly to their owners and need lots of interaction. Make sure that you are able to provide a Macaw with several hours of social time each day before rushing out to bring one home.