The wider species of parrot includes a great deal of different animals. There are countless different birds that we would classify as a parrot, all with unique colors, shapes, and sizes.
If you find yourself wondering what the biggest parrot of them all is – then you have come to the right place!
It can be fun and informative to rank animals into categories, and the more you learn about parrots, the more you will begin to wonder what the largest of them all is.
Classifying animals in this way can be difficult because there are often lots of extra things to consider, which makes comparing more complex than you might expect!
That’s where we come in! We’re going to give you a comprehensive guide to the largest parrots in the animal kingdom. We’ll list each one with its size and attributes, as well as a whole host of different information about parrots.
We’ve also included a short FAQ section at the end of this article to answer some other parrot-related questions.
How Do We Classify A Bird As A Parrot?
Parrots belong to the order Psittaciformes. This group contains many different types of birds, including cockatoos, macaws, toucans, lorikeets, lovebirds, conures, and budgies.
They are known for having long tails, which they use for balance when climbing trees or perching on branches. They also have a very large head relative to their body size, which allows them to see over tall vegetation.
Parrots’ eyes are placed high up on their heads, so they can easily look around without moving their bodies. Their bill is used to eat seeds, fruits, nuts, and insects. Parrots can speak human languages because of how similar their brains are to ours.
Below is a list of different parrot species you might come across – this will help you to understand how diverse and widespread what we call ‘parrots’ can be.
Parakeet
The most common type of parrot is the parakeet. These are small, colorful birds that live primarily in tropical areas. They are often found in cages in homes, but they are not considered dangerous.
Many people keep them as pets because they make good companions. They are intelligent and playful, and they are easy to train. Some parakeets can even mimic human speech.
Macaw
Macaws are larger than parakeets, and they tend to live in forests rather than jungles. They are native to South America, Central America, and northern parts of Africa.
They are mostly green, with white feathers on their wings and tail. They are highly social creatures, and they are usually kept by families as pets.
Unlike parakeets, macaws do not thrive in captivity. They need lots of space to fly and exercise, and they require plenty of food to stay healthy.
Toucan
Toucans are another popular pet parrot. They are medium-sized birds with bright red skin and yellow plumage. They are native to Mexico and Central America. Because they are very territorial, it is important to provide them with a safe environment.
They can get quite aggressive if they feel threatened. They are best suited for indoors since they don’t like being outside.
Lorikeet
Lorikeets are smaller than macaws and parakeets, and their coloration is much brighter. They are native to Australia and New Guinea. They are commonly kept as pets due to their cheerful personalities.
They are especially friendly towards children. Like macaws, they prefer to be indoors, but they are less demanding than macaws.
Lovebird
A lovebird is a tiny parrot species from sub-Saharan Africa. They are the smallest parrots, weighing only 1/3 of an ounce.
They are named after their beautiful coloring, which resembles that of a dove. They are extremely affectionate, and they enjoy making friends with humans.
They are great mimics, and they can talk in several different dialects. Lovebirds are very active, and they need a lot of room to move around in.
They should never be confined to a cage since they might become stressed out and develop health problems.
Conure
Conures are larger than other parrots. They are native to Brazil and Paraguay. They are one of the largest parrot species, reaching about 2 pounds (1 kg) in weight. They are brightly colored, and they have long tails.
Conures are excellent fliers, and they are often kept as pets. They are very sociable, and they like to play with toys and interact with humans. However, they are not as smart as other parrots.
Budgie
Budgies are small parrots that are native to Australia. They are very cute, and they are sometimes called “miniature budgerigars.” Budgies are very energetic, and they need a large enclosure to accommodate all of their activities.
They are also prone to developing respiratory infections, so they should always be provided with clean air.
List Of The Biggest Parrots
So now that we have taken you through the different sub-species of parrot, it’s time to begin looking at specific species and ranking how large they are! Below is a list of some of the biggest parrots around.
It’s worth noting before we begin that size can sometimes change depending on the specific growth of individual parrots.
There are always outliers in size, just as we see with humans and how tall some people can grow! These rankings are an estimate!
African Grey Parrot
African Greys are one of the largest parrots available today. They weigh anywhere between 2 pounds and 5 pounds, and they stand about 16 inches tall. They are also known as “the talking bird”.
This parrot has been used in many movies and TV shows over the years, including the movie ‘The Lion King’.
Amazon Parrot
Amazon Parrots are the second-largest parrot available today. They typically weigh between 6 pounds and 8 pounds, and they stand 18 inches tall. They are known for having the loudest calls of any parrot.
Red-Breasted Macaw
Red-breasted Macaws are a relatively new addition to the parrot family. They were first bred in Brazil, and they are still fairly rare. However, they are becoming more common as breeding techniques improve.
They are considered to be the most intelligent parrot, and they are often trained to perform tricks. The average weight of these parrots is approximately 10 pounds.
Blue And Gold Macaw
Blue and Gold Macaws are a type of macaw that was originally found in Colombia. They are similar in appearance to other macaws, but they are slightly bigger.
They are among the heaviest macaws, and they typically weigh between 12 pounds and 14 pounds. They can reach up to 20 inches tall.
Yellow Crowned Amazon
Yellow-crowned Amazons are a type of parrot that was once found throughout South America. Nowadays, this particular parrot is only found in Ecuador.
They are larger than other parrots, and they tend to weigh between 15 pounds and 17 pounds. They usually stand between 19 inches and 22 inches tall.
Scarlet Macaw
Scarlet Macaws are a type that was originally found in the jungles of Peru. They are quite small compared to other parrots. On average, they weigh between 3 pounds and 4 pounds.
They are also not very big when standing, and they normally measure between 13 inches and 14 inches tall.
Eclectus Parakeet
Eclectus Parakeets are native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. They are also commonly referred to as “Eclectus Cockatoos” because they look like cockatoos.
They are smaller than other parrots, but they do have a much louder call. They are typically between 7 ounces and 9 ounces, and they stand between 11 inches and 12 inches tall.
Rose Crowned Conure
Rose crowned conures are native to Central America. They are one of the smallest parrots out there. They weigh between 1 pound and 2 pounds, and they stand roughly 13 inches tall. They are named after their beautiful rose crowns.
The Biggest Parrot On Planet Earth
Okay, so that’s a list of some of the largest parrots on earth, but you want to know the exact largest without any competition.
This crown goes to the Hyacinth Macaw. The Hyacinth Macaw is native to the rainforests of South America. They are the biggest parrot species by far. These birds grow to be around 30 pounds or more, and they can live up to 50 years old.
Hyacinth Macaws are blue and they have long tails with a bright red tip. Their wingspan ranges from 5 feet to over six feet. This makes them one of the largest parrots in the world.
It is worth noting that they are not the heaviest parrot in the world – this goes to the more obscure Kākāpō that is native to New Zealand. These birds grow to about 23 pounds, which makes them heavier than the Hyacinth Macaw.
The Smallest Parrot
Now that we know the largest, let’s The smallest parrot on our planet is the Buff-faced Pygmy parrot. This unique species is from Africa and it’s the smallest parrot in the world with a size of just 6 cm (2.3 in) and weighing less than 5 grams (0.18 oz).
It lives in groups called “bunches” where they share food, water, and roosting places.
They eat mostly fruits and seeds, and they spend most of their time foraging through the forest floor. They nest in tree holes and use sticks and leaves to build their nests.
If you’re wondering how these tiny pygmy parrots survive, well, they don’t need much space! Their bodies are compact and they have short legs, so they can squeeze into tight spaces.
Why Are Parrots Such Large Birds?
Parrots are large birds because they evolved from an ancient group of dinosaurs called Psittaciformes. They are known as a member of the order Psittacoidea, which means ‘parrot-like face’.
These birds were extremely successful at colonizing new environments, and they spread across many different continents. Parrots are one of the few bird families that have successfully adapted to life outside of their original habitat.
But why did they evolve such huge bodies? Well, they needed to be able to fly long distances, and they had to be able to carry heavy loads over long distances.
More than this, it is worth considering why they developed such large brains. Parrots are among some of the smartest animals on the planet.
One parrot studied by researchers in the early 2000s named ‘Alex’ was believed to have the emotional intelligence of a 6-year-old by the time he died.
He could recognize himself in mirrors, and he would even attempt to groom his reflection. He also understood when humans wanted something from him, he would give it to them.
This is because Alex was an African Grey parakeet, and African Greys are known for being highly intelligent.
African Grey Parakeets have some of the largest brains in the animal kingdom, and they are thought to have the highest level of self-awareness. They are also very social creatures, and they form strong bonds with other members of their flock.
This is likely to be the reason that researchers found Alex to have such impressive emotional intelligence, which is not something found in all other kinds of animals.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! To answer our original question, the biggest parrot around is the hyacinth macaw! Delving into the world of parrots is a fascinating experience.
Because of their intelligence and differences in size and adaptation, they are some of the most diverse and incredible birds to study.
It is because of this that some biologists have dedicated their whole lives to studying them!
We hope that this article has given you some insight into the world of parrots and that you now know a lot more about their different sizes, as well as some deeper information about the history and importance to ecosystems around the world.
Before you go – we would urge you to take a look at our extensive Frequently Asked Questions section below.
We’ve added a lot of additional information about parrots that you’d no doubt be interested in learning!
Until next time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Get your last-minute questions answered here!
What Do Parrots Eat?
Most parrots eat fruit, nuts, seeds, berries, insects, and small reptiles. Some will even eat meat if they get hungry enough.
What Is The Most Intelligent Species Of Parrot?
The most intelligent parrot is thought to be the African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus). This parrot is considered to be the most intelligent non-human animal due to its ability to learn words, imitate sounds, and understand human gestures.
Who Was Alex The Parrot?
Alex was a male Hyacinth Macaw who lived in captivity for several years before dying in 2003. His brain was found to weigh 1,100 grams, making him one of the largest parrots ever recorded.
Researchers found that Alex had the emotional intelligence of a 6-year-old. Although largely debated, this was recorded due to several experiments that they performed with him over the years.
Why Do Parrots Make Good Pets?
Parrots are very friendly, affectionate, social creatures. They love to interact with people and other animals, and they can live up to 50 years or longer.
Where Do Parrots Come From?
Some parrots are native to South America, while others are native to Africa. However, today they can be found all over the globe.
Which Is The Heaviest Flying Bird?
The heaviest flying bird is the Ostrich, which can weigh up to 50 kilograms. However, the heaviest flying bird alive today is the emu, which can weigh up to 150 kilograms.
Do All Parrots Live Together In Flocks?
No, not all parrots live together. Many parrots live alone or in pairs.
What Are The Most Intelligent Animals In The World?
The most intellectually advanced animals on Earth are humans, followed by dolphins, chimpanzees, elephants, crows, and ravens.
Certain species of parrots also rank as some of the smartest animals in the world, including the African Grey Parrot, as mentioned above.
Harlan Derricks, nice to meet you. I created this online resource in the hopes of educating more people about the wonders of parrots, including their species, sizes, and more.
But I don’t just want to stop with parrots. I want to give every bird an opportunity to be marveled at and rescued by my education. If just one of my readers learned something valuable about budgies, cockatiels, or parakeets, then I’d be happy with my success.
