There are some pet birds that like to be handled and others that don't, so it's worth giving some thought to how important this is to you before you adopt. If you want a species that will let you pick them up and perhaps even give them a cuddle, the birds on this list tick that box nicely.
Taking care of pet birds isn't as easy as you might think – just like dogs and cats, our beaked buddies require lots of attention and affection in order to thrive – although some require more interaction than others.
The birds below all enjoy human companionship, with many forming deep bonds with their humans. Some require training and socialization from a young age to make them easy to handle while others will enjoy (and demand!) handling from the minute they meet you.
Pet birds that like to be handled
1. Budgerigar
The budgerigar, or 'budgie' as it's often called, is one of the most popular bird breeds worldwide and for good reason. Gentle, sweet-natured, and affectionate, they are lovely birds who can live for around 10-12 years with the correct care.
Budgies are known for mimicking sounds, and they love learning new tricks, so they can be very entertaining pets to have in the home. Budgies that have been hand-raised by humans are happy to be handled, and they're very social creatures, so they do best with another budgie or an owner who can give them a lot of interaction.
2. Cockatiel
The cockatiel is a playful, curious, and sociable bird that thrives when they have lots of human companionship. They adore being petted, especially around their crest, and have a reputation for loving a cuddle or two.
Cockatiels have a long lifespan, with many living well into their twenties, so it's worth bearing in mind that if you plan to adopt one, you'll likely have them for a long time. They need a lot of attention to ensure they thrive and while generally gentle birds, they can sometimes playfully nip when they're having fun.
3. Cockatoo
Known as the Velcro bird because of how cuddly they are with their owners, Cockatoos are lively and affectionate birds with an intelligent nature. Highly social, these birds bond deeply with their humans and crave their companionship, so they don't do well in homes where there's no one around during the day.
Loyal and playful, cockatoos love to vocalise, so expect a lot of noise in your life if you plan on adopting one of these birds. Cockatoos are quite demanding creatures who require a lot of mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy – they can also live for up to 70 years, so you'll want to ensure you have the time and energy to devote to them.
4. Lovebird
They may be small, but lovebirds are very active and surprisingly feisty at times, given their name! Curious and playful, these birds come in a range of beautiful colors and make truly charming companions.
With a life expectancy of 10-15 years, lovebirds are flock animals who thrive when they have other lovebirds to keep them company. However, they also bond deeply with their humans and enjoy being handled. Just bear in mind that they can be territorial and aggressive if not properly trained from a young age.
5. African Grey Parrot
If you're a fan of birds with complex personalities and off-the-charts intelligence, then the African Grey Parrot may well be your new forever friend. Known for their persistence in trying to solicit head scratches from their humans, this bird has an extraordinary ability to imitate those around them, an extensive vocabulary, and a love of putting it all to good use by chatting nonstop.
Playful birds who enjoy climbing and chewing, because the African Grey Parrot is so smart, they need a lot of physical and mental stimulation each day, with the best toys for parrots to keep them from becoming bored and destructive. These birds thrive on predictable schedules and routines and do not like change.
6. Green-Cheeked Conure
A big personality packed into a small body, green-cheeked conures like to be held and are never happier than when spending time interacting with their favorite humans. Relatively quiet birds, they're striking to look at and mischievous in nature.
Green-cheeked conures can live for up to 30 years, so they're a great choice if you're after a feathered friend who will be with you for a long time. Known to be fast learners, they do well with training, and while they can be nippy at times, they're generally fairly easygoing birds.
7. Hyacinth Macaw
Gentle giants who form strong bonds with their human family, the Hyacinth Macaw is a striking bird with a cobalt blue coat and bright yellow markings around their eyes and the base of their lower jaw. They are the largest parrot by length in the world, measuring 40 inches from head to tail, and can live for up to 60 years.
Powerful birds with strong beaks, you do need to take care when interacting with them, as even though they are fairly docile, a playful nip could still cause injury. Affectionate and intelligent, they demand a lot of attention and can be very vocal, so they're not a good choice if you have neighbors in close range!
8. Canary
A sweet and gentle little soul who is known for being very hands-on with its owners, the Canary is an active and lively bird who can be handled fairly easily, although they don't like being held for long periods like a budgie might.
With its cheerful disposition and melodious voice, the Canary is a delight to have in the home and while they enjoy the company of people, they are very undemanding. A fairly solitary bird, the Canary will co-exist with other birds in an aviary without issue, but they are very content to be housed alone.
9. Dove
Doves are placid and mild-mannered birds with sweet and quiet natures. A symbol of peace in many cultures, they are calm, graceful, and great for beginners. They live for an average of 10 years, but with the proper care, many can live beyond this.
All doves are different, so some do prefer a hands-off approach, but many others will be quite happy to accept gentle handling. Their soothing coos can be wonderful to have in the home, although it's worth noting that they are social birds who like to live in small flocks, so you'll want to get more than one.
10. Parrotlet
A spirited bird with a personality much bigger than their small size, the parrotlet craves human interaction but is known for being stubborn and more than a little cheeky at times. Charming and intelligent, parrotlets come in a range of colors and can live for up to 30 years.
While they're affectionate and quiet, they are also known for being feisty and temperamental but thankfully, training, socialization, and lots of mental stimulation can help to reduce this. They enjoy cuddling and being petted and are smart enough to learn new tricks.
11. Double Yellow-Headed Amazon
A striking bird with a green body and yellow head, the Double Yellow-Headed Amazon is a medium-sized parrot that can live a whopping 80 years or more when well cared for.
When hand-fed and reared from a young age, these birds can make wonderful pets thanks to their affectionate nature, but they expect (and demand) to be the center of attention, so they need an owner who can give them a lot of attention.
12. Eclectus parrot
An observant bird who is often described by those who own one as being calm, caring, and tranquil in nature, the eclectus parrot is an affectionate soul who enjoys being included in family life and forges strong bonds with their humans.
Eclectus parrots can live for up to 50 years, and they have eye-catching colors that will make them the main conversation piece when visitors come to your home. They are very friendly birds, but they are also deeply sensitive and can become stressed if they feel they're not being given enough attention.
13. Pionus parrot
Sweet-tempered and easygoing, the gentle pionus parrot is a great choice if you've never owned a bird before. They are very devoted to their humans, but at the same time, they have a lovely independent streak that makes them an undemanding companion.
Pionus parrots enjoy interacting with their owners and love playing games. They're a relatively quiet species so they're ideal if you live in an apartment or busy suburban street with neighbors in close proximity. They tend to attach most strongly to one person and can live for 40 years.
14. Meyer's Parrot
Highly intelligent and very funny, the Meyer's Parrot is a small and stocky bird with a life expectancy of around 30 years. Laid back and hugely social, they like regular handling and can be very affectionate.
Gentle and quiet, the Meyer's Parrot enjoys being the center of attention and tends to bond equally with all members of their human family. Because they're so smart and quick to learn, you'll find it a breeze teaching them new tricks, which can be a great way of offering them the mental stimulation they need to thrive.
15. Red-shouldered macaw
Also known as the Hahn's Macaw, the red-shouldered macaw is the smallest of the Macaws, and their playful nature makes them an ideal family pet. They love learning new tricks, and with practice, they can become good talkers with a wide vocabulary.
Although small, these charming birds have big personalities, but if you're on the hunt for a fun-filled companion, this could well be the bird for you. Affectionate souls who bond strongly with their people, as long as they've been hand-raised, they're very easy to handle.
16. Indian Ringneck Parakeet
The Indian Ringneck Parakeet can make a great pet – as long as it's socialized from a young age to get it comfortable with being handled. Playful and remarkably intelligent, they are curious and playful birds with outstanding vocal abilities.
While they can be very interactive with their humans, they're also independent enough to be comfortable with you not being around 24/7. They may not be cuddly birds, but Indian Ringneck Parakeets love to bond with their family through play and training.
17. Bourke's Parakeet
A gentle, peaceful, and even-tempered bird with a calm temperament and a friendly nature, the Bourke's Parakeet is a joy to have in the home. They have a soft and tranquil voice and demeanor, and while they still need daily mental and physical enrichment, they are less active than other birds.
While they are bonded to their humans and like to ride on their shoulders, they're also independent enough to entertain themselves when their favorite people are out of the house. With the right care, Bourke's Parakeets can live for around 25 years.
18. Scarlet-chested parakeet
The scarlet-chested parakeet is a stunning bird that sports a range of bold and beautiful colors. Gentle and docile, they are introverted in nature and a wonderful choice if you're looking for a quiet companion.
While they're not gregarious and demanding of attention and affection like some birds, they enjoy interacting with people and can be handled as long as they have had proper socialization from a young age.
19. Lineolated parakeet
Named for its fine lines, the lineolated parakeet is one of the quietest and calmest members of the parrot family, which makes it a good choice for apartment dwellers. Charming and even-tempered, they are comical creatures who make very entertaining pets.
The lineolated parakeet is always eager to spend time with their humans, and it adores perching on their shoulders or following them around the house. While they're very mellow birds, they do bore easily, so they're best suited to people who have lots of time to spend interacting with them.
20. Jardine’s Parrot
Playful and energetic with a steady and mild temperament, the Jardine's Parrot is outgoing, affectionate, and highly intelligent. These birds adore a good head scratch, and while they're fairly independent, they still enjoy lots of interaction.
A fairly long-lived bird, Jardine's Parrots can live for around 35 years with the right care and attention. Less demanding than other parrots, they can happily entertain themselves as long as they have lots of toys to keep them occupied and while they can be easily handled, you'll want all members of the family to be handling them from a young age to prevent them from becoming a one-person bird.
Read next: Quietest pet birds
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
