Top 10 Chatty Parrot Species for a Talking Companion

It's rare to find a pet that can verbally respond to you—at least not in a language you can understand. Parrots, however, are a notable exception. These intelligent talking birds rank among the smartest creatures and are well-known for mimicking human speech, melodies, and even sounds from their surroundings. Many owners are surprised by how fast these animals pick up words and phrases, and certain individuals can even link human words to objects, colors, and numbers, indicating genuine understanding. If owning a parrot that can sing, speak, and engage with you sounds appealing, we've compiled a list of the top 10 talking parrot breeds that make excellent companions.

From amiable talking parrot breeds to clever parrots that speak, every bird possesses a distinct personality, vocal skill, and appeal. Although Earth is home to over 400 parrot species, including parakeets and macaws, only a small number of these speaking birds are regularly kept as pets. Among the parrots capable of talking, some are genuine conversationalists, able to sustain surprisingly lengthy "chats" with their owners.

So, if you're thinking about adopting a pet parrot and desire a bird that's vocal, social, and highly interactive, begin by looking into these 10 chatty parrot breeds on our list. Once you encounter them, you'll grasp why they not only win hearts but also why they're some of the best talking birds to keep as pets. Believe us, you'll want all of them as your feathered friends.

Important Considerations for Speaking Birds

A pair of Budgies “smooching.”

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Before we proceed to our roundup, we want to offer a warning, particularly to new pet owners. Every talking bird on our upcoming list (and the honorable mentions at the end) is a high-maintenance pet. Parrots are highly intelligent and social creatures, so they require daily playtime and interaction with their owners. Most parrots tend to choose one person as their "favorite," and even a few days apart from that person can lead to significant psychological distress. It's also crucial to understand that parrots need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, are quite messy, and—most importantly—live very long lives, with some species' lifespans comparable to humans'.

Owning a pet parrot is often a lifelong commitment, and a responsible, dedicated owner will need to make lifestyle sacrifices to provide the right conditions for their parrot to flourish. Therefore, anyone thinking about adoption should first thoroughly research what caring for these birds entails.

The Top 10 Talking Parrots

Four Macaws lined up on a branch speaking.

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All ten of these talking parrots are commonly kept as pets globally. However, if you're considering adopting one of these species, we suggest checking exotic pet regulations in your country, state, or city, as some areas have stricter rules on parrot ownership than others.

In addition to providing some facts about each species, we've listed their scientific name, typical captive lifespan, and estimated vocabulary size—essentially, how many words they might learn. But keep in mind that just because a parrot can learn many words doesn't mean it will. That depends on the individual bird's personality and how its owner interacts with it. Nevertheless, you can certainly encourage your parrot to talk by speaking with it, playing melodic music, and actively teaching it words!

1. African Greys

An African Grey parrot eating some fruit.

Image via Getty Images/Andre John / 500px

• Species: Psittacus erithacus (Congo grey parrot), Psittacus timneh (Timneh parrot)
• Lifespan: 40-60 years
• Vocabulary: 200-1,000 words

Originating from African forests, the African Grey parrot is one of the most remarkable and intelligent bird species known, making it one of the best talking birds. The most renowned African Grey was Alex, who learned over 100 words for objects, actions, colors, and numbers. He could count to six with high accuracy and appeared to grasp the abstract idea of "zero."

Even now, African Greys continue to push boundaries in animal intelligence. For instance, Apollo, an African Grey from Florida (also trained using the Pepperberg model), recently earned the Guinness World Record for most objects identified by a parrot in three minutes and is believed to have the intelligence of a two-year-old child.

The maximum vocabulary of an African Grey is currently unknown. While most verified reports suggest an average vocabulary of over 200 words, some theories propose they can learn up to 1,000 words. It's no surprise they're considered one of the best talking birds to keep as a pet.

2. Macaws

A pair of Macaws sitting on a branch chatting.

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• Species: Ara ararauna (blue-and-yellow macaw), Ara macao (scarlet macaw)
• Lifespan: 50-70 years
• Vocabulary: 300+ words

Another parrot that can speak? Macaws! These are long-tailed, vividly colored talking parrots found from Mexico to tropical South America and the Caribbean. Their personalities are as large and bold as their bright feathers—they're noisy, expressive, and won't hesitate to demand attention if they feel ignored. These intelligent parrots are also known for their powerful beaks and chewing habits, which can sometimes result in bites, making macaws a difficult pet for novice parrot owners.

However, if you fulfill a macaw's emotional and social needs—and give plenty of room for these large birds to exercise—they can become loving, loyal, and highly trainable talking birds. In fact, macaws are among the chattiest parrots, able to learn up to 300 words or more. Keep in mind, though, that potential macaw owners should be ready for lots of squawks and loud calls in addition to their impressive talking skills.

3. Quaker Parrots

Two cute Quaker parrots speaking to one another quietly.

Image via Getty Images/Svitlana Kolycheva

• Species: Myiopsitta monachus
• Lifespan: 10-20 years
• Vocabulary: 50-100

When discussing parrots that can talk, Quaker parrots—also known as Monk parrots or Monk parakeets—are essential. If you're unfamiliar, they are small, chubby-cheeked talking parrots native to South America. These charming birds have also become an invasive species in some regions due to careless releases into the wild.

As pets, Quaker parrots are social, affectionate, and very talkative. They flourish with one-on-one interaction with their preferred humans and quickly learn fun catchphrases. A notable example is Auggie, the viral Quaker parrot who won the internet by singing the Bacon Pancakes song from Adventure Time. Although Quaker parrots can theoretically learn up to around 100 words, the typical Quaker will only pick up about 50-60 words, but that's still sufficient for a casual chat!

4. Amazons

An Amazon parrot listening to a conversation.

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• Species: Genus Amazona, popular species include Amazona auropalliata (yellow-naped Amazon), Amazona aestiva (blue-fronted Amazon), and Amazona amazonica (orange-winged Amazon)
• Lifespan: 30-50 years
• Vocabulary: 100-120 words

Like the Macaw and the Quaker parrot, the Amazon parrot is a New World genus native to the Americas. Most are green, but they often have accent colors like yellow and red on their face, nape, and wings, depending on the species. Amazons are very talkative, sociable pets that will even accept cuddles if properly socialized. However, they can become overly possessive of their owners and vocally demanding when seeking attention. The average Amazon parrot can learn around 100-120 words, and they also love to sing!

5. Ring-Necked Parakeet

A blue speaking bird eating a peanut.

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• Species: Psittacula krameri
• Lifespan: 20-30 years
• Vocabulary: Up to 250 words

Another chatty parrot that loves to talk is native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Africa. It's the ring-necked parakeet, an extremely popular pet parrot species. Not only do they display a veritable rainbow of colors, but they are effortlessly charming, with extroverted personalities as well. They're also capable of learning up to 250 words, delivering them in a lilting, high-pitched voice that's simply too cute to resist.

6. Budgerigar

Two Budgies closely speaking to each other.

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• Species: Melopsittacus undulatus
• Lifespan: 5-10 years (Up to 15 years with exceptional care)
• Vocabulary: 12-100 (barring notable exceptions)

Budgerigars, commonly known as "Budgies," are small, colorful talking parrots native to Australia, though you can even spot them in aviaries worldwide. Budgies are among the most beginner-friendly parrot breeds, making them ideal for first-time bird owners. These docile, friendly, and social parrots typically grow only 7–8 inches long and have a shorter lifespan compared with larger parrots, usually living up to 15 years. Despite their small size, Budgies are excellent at mimicking human speech and learning simple words and phrases, making them one of the most charming talking parrots for your home.

7. Cockatiel

A child holding a Cockatiel and talking to it.

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• Species: Nymphicus hollandicus
• Lifespan: 10-25 years
• Vocabulary: 10-25 (100+ for exceptional speakers)

Like the Budgie, the Cockatiel also hails from the Land Down Under, but can be found in pet stores all over the world. With good, consistent training and socialization, pet Cockatiels are very friendly and affectionate birds. You also never need to guess what a Cockatiel is feeling, either, since they can communicate their emotions by raising, lowering, or relaxing the crests that top their bright yellow heads.

Compared to many of the aforementioned birds on this list, the Cockatiel isn't as talkative. While some Cockatiel parents claim that their birds know over 100 words, the average talking cockatiel only uses about a dozen or so words. However, what the Cockatiel lacks in chattiness, it makes up for in musicality. These birds can quickly pick up on tunes, dancing to the rhythm and learning to whistle along to their favorite songs. So, if you play your favorite songs around your pet Cockatiel, the odds are good that you'll have a feathery karaoke buddy in no time!

8. Derbyan Parakeet

A Derbyan parakeet on a branch waiting to have a conversation with someone.

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• Species: Psittacula derbiana
• Lifespan: 20-30 years
• Vocabulary: 25-100 words (average parrot range)

The Derbyan parakeet is one of the rarer parrots on this list, native only to certain mountainous regions in northern India, Tibet and the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China. However, the Derbyan parakeet is well-loved among bird enthusiasts. They are known to be gentle, docile and fun-loving parrots, though they can get bored very easily and need lots of stimulation to stay happy and healthy. The Derbyan's speech capabilities aren't as well-documented as some of the more well-known species on here, however, they are capable of amassing a modest-sized vocabulary of a few dozen words and can express themselves quite clearly and eloquently.

9. Eclectus Parrot

A pair of colorful Eclectus parrots talking to each other.

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• Species: Eclectus roratus (Moluccan eclectus), Eclectus cornelia (Sumba eclectus), Eclectus riedeli (Tanimbar eclectus), Eclectus polychloros (Papuan eclectus)
• Lifespan: 20-60 years
• Vocabulary: 250+ words

The Eclectus is a genus of parrot encompassing four (living) species native to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of nearby Indonesia and Australia. Sporting vibrant plumage in a rainbow of colors, Eclectus parrots are beloved by bird enthusiasts for their tranquil, friendly and intelligent personalities. It also doesn't hurt that they have an impressive aptitude for speech rivaling that of the African Grey, quickly learning dozens upon dozens of different words. They are receptive to training as well and can build very broad vocabularies if their owner are willing to teach them!

10. Senegal Parrots

A cute Senegal parrot taking a break from talking.

Image via Getty Images/Thomas Demarczyk

• Species: Poicephalus senegalus
• Lifespan: 20-30 years
• Vocabulary: 10-30 words

Native to West Africa, the green-and-yellow Senegal parrot is one of the most popular pet parrot species of all, thanks to its excellent temperament. Compared to the average parrot, Senegal parrots are much calmer, quieter and more even-tempered, though, they are still very affectionate and love playtime. They are not the most prolific talkers, usually only learning a couple of dozen words at most, but they still love to sing, mimic and socialize!

The Best Talking Birds: Honorable Mentions

A European Starling perched on a branch listening to another bird talk.

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While most talking bird species kept as pets are parrots, we wanted to highlight two other types of pet birds that aren't parrots, but are very verbose nonetheless: the Hill Mynah and the European Starling. Both of them belong to the starling family, both are legal to own as pets in the US, and both are capable of learning human speech (while an exact "wordcount" for the European starling isn't known, hill mynahs have exhibited vocabularies of up to 100 words).

A Hill Mynah perched in a tree talking.

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