The best results for all species come from birds trained young, though African Greys seem to need little training, they just love being mimics. The advice here refers mainly to parrots kept in the home. You'll find more on birds in 'Pets in the News', and have a look in 'Books on Animals' for reviews of books on parrots and other caged and aviary birds. Differences between parrot species Parrots vary in terms of diet, with some needing more fresh fruit than others, and a few species living on nectar. They vary in terms of how long they live, for example, budgies live from five to 10 years, cockatiels from between 10-15 years, and some larger species can easily outlive their owners.
All parrots are social birds, but some species are more peaceful than others.
Budgies and cockatiels live in groups of up to several hundred in their natural habitat. They can be kept in groups if you have enough room, whereas lovebirds are best kept in pairs, and African Greys are best kept alone, or in pairs. Parrots should only be kept singly if you are prepared to devote a lot of time to your bird, as they can suffer from loneliness and boredom if left alone. Housing The size of the cage or aviary affects the relationships of the birds kept inside it. Birds are more likely to bully or be bullied if they don't have enough room.