People usually search “bird breeds” when they’re weighing up a pet bird, trying to tell similar-looking species apart, or checking what’s legal and realistic to keep in Australia. The difference matters: some birds thrive in a busy household, others need specialist diets or space, and some should never be kept as pets at all.
Below is a plain-language guide to the main groups you’ll come across—parrots, songbirds and birds of prey—plus the care basics that apply to nearly any companion bird, and a clear note on threatened Australian species and wildlife laws.
First, a quick note on “breeds” vs species
Most pet birds aren’t “breeds” in the way dogs are. They’re usually different species (budgerigar vs cockatiel), or colour varieties within a species (for example, different budgie colour mutations). That matters because care needs—diet, housing, noise, lifespan—are mostly set by the species, not the colour.
Choosing a pet bird in Australia: what tends to work
A good match is usually less about rarity and more about daily reality: sound levels, mess, time out of the cage, and whether the bird’s diet is straightforward. It’s also worth checking state and territory rules before you buy or adopt, especially if you’re considering native species. Some wildlife can be kept only under permit, and rules vary.
These general welfare points apply across common companion birds:1
- Space and setup: a secure enclosure that lets the bird move, climb and stretch fully, with safe perches and enrichment.
- Daily care: fresh food and water, regular cleaning, and time for flight or supervised exercise where possible.
- Social needs: many birds need frequent interaction (with people or compatible birds), not a quiet corner life.
- Veterinary care: plan for an avian vet visit when you first get the bird, and whenever appetite, droppings, breathing or behaviour changes.
Parrots: bright, clever, and often louder than expected
Parrots are popular because they’re alert, interactive and long-lived. They’re also often noisy, messy, and demanding—especially the species that form strong pair-bonds and rely on frequent social contact.
Budgerigar (budgie)
Small, active, and widely kept. Budgies do best with space to fly, varied enrichment, and a balanced diet (not seed-only). They can learn whistles and some words, but the bigger win is their busy, curious nature.
Cockatiel
Often a good “first parrot” because they’re generally smaller and less intense than many larger parrots, while still being social and trainable. Like all parrots, they need routine, stimulation and safe chewable items.
Rainbow lorikeet (native)
Lorikeets are nectar-feeders, built for a very different diet from seed-eating parrots. Keeping them well means providing an appropriate nectar-based diet and managing the extra mess that comes with liquid foods. Before considering any native parrot, check your state or territory wildlife rules and local advice.
Eclectus parrot
Eclectus parrots are striking and intelligent, but they’re not a “set and forget” pet. Their care typically involves more space, more enrichment, and a thoughtfully managed diet. They’re better suited to households ready for a bigger daily commitment.
Songbirds: smaller bodies, quieter homes, different needs
“Songbirds” is a broad group. In pet keeping, people usually mean small birds like canaries and finches. These birds are often less physically interactive than parrots, but they still need correct housing, diet and companionship appropriate to the species.
Canaries
Canaries are kept mostly for their song and presence. They’re often better suited to people who want a bird to watch and listen to, rather than handle. Males are typically the main singers.
Finches
Finches are lively, social aviary birds and generally do best with other finches, plenty of flight space, and a stable, low-stress environment. They’re usually not hands-on pets, but they reward careful observers.
A quick correction on “talking”
Parrots are the classic vocal mimics. By contrast, canaries and finches are known for song, not speech mimicry. If “a bird that talks” is the goal, you’re usually looking at parrots (and even then, talking varies by individual).
Birds of prey: remarkable hunters, not household pets
Raptors—hawks, eagles, falcons and owls—are specialised predators with powerful feet and beaks, and sensory systems tuned for hunting. Their needs are complex, and in Australia they’re not animals for casual ownership. Keeping or handling raptors is generally limited to licensed wildlife carers, educators and falconers operating under strict rules.
One point to keep tidy: raptors can be territorial, but they are not “highly social” in the way flocking parrots are. Social behaviour varies widely by species and context.
“Exotic” birds in Australia: the biosecurity reality check
Australia’s biosecurity rules are strict for good reason. If you’re imagining importing a pet bird from overseas, the options are extremely limited. The Australian Government states you can import some pet psittacine (parrot) species from New Zealand, and you cannot import pet birds from any other country under that pathway.2, 3
If someone is offering an “imported exotic” bird with vague paperwork, treat it as a red flag and seek official advice.
Rare and threatened Australian birds: admire, don’t buy
Some of Australia’s most charismatic birds are also among the most at risk. They’re not “rare pets”; they’re threatened wildlife with active recovery efforts behind them.
Examples of nationally listed threatened species
- Swift parrot – listed as critically endangered under Australia’s EPBC Act; a national recovery plan is in place (updated April 2024).4
- Regent honeyeater – listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act.5
- Night parrot – listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act; confirmed only in isolated populations and difficult to monitor.6
If you want to support these species, the most meaningful steps are habitat protection, responsible land and garden choices, and backing conservation programs—rather than seeking ownership.
Care essentials that make the biggest difference
Most bird problems in homes come from the slow grind: cramped housing, the wrong diet, stale air, boredom, and missed early signs of illness. Start with the basics and stay consistent.
- Housing: choose an enclosure that suits the species’ movement and flight needs, placed away from fumes, drafts and constant stressors.1
- Diet: feed to the species. Nectar-feeders (like lorikeets) are not seed-eaters. Many parrots need more than seed, and many small birds need more than a “standard mix”.
- Enrichment: rotate safe perches, foraging opportunities and chew items; boredom can turn into feather damage or repetitive behaviours.
- Safety: be cautious with non-stick cookware fumes, smoke, aerosols and strong cleaning products—birds are sensitive to airborne irritants.
Final thoughts
The best bird for a home is rarely the most dramatic one. It’s the species whose diet you can meet every day, whose noise you can live with, and whose social needs you can genuinely provide for over years—sometimes decades. Start small, learn the rhythms of good care, and let the bird’s natural behaviour set the pace.
References
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase – How should I care for my birds?
- Australian Government (DAFF) – Importing your pet bird
- Australian Border Force – Can you bring it in? Live animals and pets
- Australian Government (DCCEEW) – National Recovery Plan for the Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) (2024)
- Australian Government (DCCEEW) – Regent Honeyeater
- Australian Government (DCCEEW) – Night Parrot
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom