Parakeets and parrotlets are some of the smallest birds in the parrot family. While they’re different at their core, one could easily get them mixed up and go home with the wrong bird for their family.
The two differ in their specific appearance, personality, and behaviors. Keep reading to learn more about these subtle differences between two popular pet birds.
Appearance
While both parrotlets and parakeets encompass some of the smallest birds in the parrot family, there’s a significant difference in their size. Parakeets have long tail feathers and usually grow to about 7 inches, with larger species growing to 18 inches. Most parrotlets only reach about 5 inches from tip to tip, including their much stubbier tails.
Parakeets come in a variety of colors, but it’s usually a combination of white or yellow with another color (i.e. blue, gray, violet, or green). Some, like budgies, may also have stripes on the top of their head, while parrotlets have solid-colored blue or green feathers.
Parakeets have smaller beaks with more deeply colored nostrils than parrotlets (pink or gray for females and blue for males). While their bodies are much smaller, parrotlets have larger, flat beaks that appear disproportionate to their overall size.
Personality
Parakeets and parrotlets are worlds apart when it comes to personality. As parrots, both are clever little birds popularly kept as pets. That’s about where the similarities end.
Most species of parakeets are known for their sweet, affectionate nature. They may not be the best pets for small children, but they’ll get along with them well on occasion. Parakeets love to play and don’t mind gentle handling. While they adore human companionship, they’re also fantastic cagemates.
Parrotlets have more attitude, but they can be just as lovable. They prefer a more solitary space, but those who are socialized well at a young age generally have a good temperament. While they’re more active and independent, parrotlets still bond with their humans. They usually do better without a cagemate and prefer more space to explore and exercise in.
While both should receive daily handling, it’s essential for parrotlets to maintain a good nature. Even so, they’re known to be nippy with little warning, and may not be the best for those wanting an easy-going companion.
Ability to Talk
The ability for these birds to talk is a feature expected of most parrots, and both parakeets and parrotlets can talk.
Parakeets have a more pleasant speaking voice, smooth and similar to the words that they repeat. There are plenty of videos of the sweet birds speaking dozens of words clearly, and the Guinness Record for the Largest Vocabulary for a Bird Ever currently belongs to Puck, a Budgie who knew about 1728 words.
Parrotlets like Ditty can also learn a number of phrases, but they have a screechier speaking voice that’s not as humanlike.
In both groups, males tend to speak more than females (but both have the ability to speak).
Cagemates?
As you might expect, a parrotlet’s moodiness means they’re not the best roommates. Some compare them to betta fish as they’re likely to compete with their own species, although you may have success keeping a male/female pair. In most cases, though, parrotlets are happiest as solitary birds.
Parakeets are a much better option if you want multiple birds. In fact, parakeets are usually happier in pairs than they are on their own. They may get into small spats (especially if you have two males), but rarely is it severe enough to break their bond forever.
Parrotlets shouldn’t be kept with other birds, but parakeets may be kept with other small birds.
Popularity
Parakeets are much more popular than parrotlets because of their sweeter nature and history of living with humans. Records show budgies as pets as far back as 1805, and they’re currently the third most popular pet in the world.
Because of this, you can find them easily for about $20. A well-bred parakeet usually costs less than $100, so they’re very affordable, intelligent birds that make fantastic companions.
Parrotlets are less popular because of their personality and difficulty breeding them. They’ve been pets in the United States since the 1920s, coming from Central and South America, and only recently gained popularity as companions. They’re still fairly inexpensive, especially since you need only purchase one for about $100 to $300.
Pet ownership is not about popularity, though. Parakeets are much better suited to those who want a more lyrical, pleasant-natured companion and don’t mind taking on two or more birds. Parrotlets are perfect for those who fall in love with their snarky nature and have the time for positive daily interaction.
Taking time to do your research by doing things like reading this article enables you to choose the perfect companion for your lifestyle.
