Which parrots are most underrated and overrated

What do you think is the most underrated and the most overrated parrot in:

talking ability?

Intelligence?

Beauty/color?

Temperament?

Overall?

This is going to probably be a pretty controversial post because people love different parrots for different, equally important traits and reasons. So just for me personally (not as a general rule), I find Peachfaced Lovebirds to be the most underrated parrot in what I've heard and read. I enjoy mine (14-year-old female and a 5-year-old male) as much (okay, honestly, MORE than all my other parrots I have currently or have ever kept). Lovebirds and me are a perfect match on all levels you listed (talking isn't that important to me, but, yes, they do talk, even the female). I just love my lovebirds. I know they're not all created equal, but mine had really, really good breeders, which makes a difference in their pet status potential. They are the perfect pet parrot for me.

I wouldn't want to weigh in on the most overrated parrot and end up insulting the love of someone's life, so I'll just steer clear of that. All parrots are wonderful and I'm so happy to have so many to choose from. I enjoy reading about so many different ones, even though I'll probably never keep those. I learn something about them and who knows when that may come in handy. I've learned so much from Birdman's macaw posts, so much so that I can interact now with friends' and family's birds and not be so intimidated by their bluffs.

This is up there with "what's the best truck? Color? Gas or Diesel?"

I mean, the answer is Ford, Diesel, and Black but some foolish people may disagree, based on misguided bias or brainwashing.

I would say all your parrots are over rated and mine is under rated...��

Weezerj said:

I would say all your parrots are over rated and mine is under rated...��

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Well, that would be a good answer...

IF YOURS WAS A GREENWING!

But, unfortunately, it's not... so you only think... I mean, because you haven't experienced the real deal yet...

THE MOST OVERRATED PARROT IS THE ONE YOU DO NOT POSSESS...

THE MOST UNDERRATED PARROT IS THE ONE YOU ARE BONDED WITH.

Doesn't matter the species. It's your bird! :54:

I would honestly say budgies are underrated, especially the common parakeet. Most people have no idea how great of birds they can be, friendly, talkative, etc. Most people only see them in a cage chirping and never interacting with anyone.

Aquila said:

I would honestly say budgies are underrated, especially the common parakeet. Most people have no idea how great of birds they can be, friendly, talkative, etc. Most people only see them in a cage chirping and never interacting with anyone.

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I agree Aquila. The smaller the bird, the less impressed people seem to be. I can only imagine how many budgies are out there right now, stuffed into small cages and not messed with at all or provided with stimulating enrichment/adequate diet because they are small and inexpensive. A playmate of mine had one when we were kids. If I remember correctly it died within a year because they didn't care about it or mess with it. I remember feeling sorry for it but didn't know what to say because I was young.

Anyone think the green cheek conures are maybe a tad overrated? They are insanely common and popular, and for good reason, but there is a whole genus of pyrrhurha conures available that are of nearly identical temperment. Why not the painted conures or pearly conures?

*ducks and runs for cover*

I also agree about Budgies being very underrated. As Minimaker said, the smaller a bird is, the less people are "impressed" with it. Especially a common and inexpensive one like a budgie.

A budgie holds the record for talking (or did for years), a hand tame budgie is just as trainable as any parrot, they can be just as intelligent and emotionally bonded to a human as a larger parrot. Not to mention a hand tame one is one of the cutest, softest pets ever! I got into budgies only a few years ago, after having birds for decades, and I'm so glad I did. I'm kind of maxed out right now, but I want another English budgie badly.

chris-md said:

Anyone think the green cheek conures are maybe a tad overrated? They are insanely common and popular, and for good reason, but there is a whole genus of pyrrhurha conures available that are of nearly identical temperment. Why not the painted conures or pearly conures?

*ducks and runs for cover*

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Chris, I like the "ducks and runs for cover" LOL! I think you better! Haha

I've never had one, so I'm not going to even go there... But it's interesting how they became probably the most popular parrot. Back about 20+ years ago when Robin was a baby, and I wanted to get a parrot.... I had never even heard of a Green Cheeked Conure! I have no idea how rare they were at that time, but I do remember what was VERY common was another very similar pyrrhura, the Maroon Bellied. Now you don't hear of the MBC very often. I think more and more the other pyrrhura genus conures are being bred for the pet trade because of the reputation of GCC.

Underrated; BUDGIES! Yes! So so so so so much yes!

Also, I think male irns are way underrated for talking, and female IRNs are way underrated for mind blowing intelligence, but this species is a bit more particular in certain areas, so I understand why people aren't screaming about it from the roof tops. Plus they come in Violet, like my Ka'iulani

Overrated; I say lovebirds ONLYbecause I see them suggested as the best Nd easiest beginner bird all the time, and see them sold with almost no education and they don't live up to the hype. But then again that's because they are a PARROT, not a PUPPY, so no, they aren't over rated, they are MISUNDERSTOOD and awesome.

Gccs overrated? Yes, but only in the same way as lovebirds

*sneaks away to snuggle gcc flock and whisper in their ears that no one is better, nobody, they are the bestest most perfect east birds ever hatched. Shoots Chris a look and wonders, not if he should die for his comments, but if he wants to come snuggle some conures...*

SilverSage said:

Underrated; BUDGIES! Yes! So so so so so much yes!

Also, I think male irns are way underrated for talking, and female IRNs are way underrated for mind blowing intelligence, but this species is a bit more particular in certain areas, so I understand why people aren't screaming about it from the roof tops. Plus they come in Violet, like my Ka'iulani

Overrated; I say lovebirds ONLYbecause I see them suggested as the best Nd easiest beginner bird all the time, and see them sold with almost no education and they don't live up to the hype. But then again that's because they are a PARROT, not a PUPPY, so no, they aren't over rated, they are MISUNDERSTOOD and awesome.

Gccs overrated? Yes, but only in the same way as lovebirds

*sneaks away to snuggle gcc flock and whisper in their ears that no one is better, nobody, they are the bestest most perfect east birds ever hatched. Shoots Chris a look and wonders, not if he should die for his comments, but if he wants to come snuggle some conures...*

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That's the exact reason I'm over them, always the first to be listed as best and easiest when there are so many birds in the exact same vein. Hence, what about the pearlies and painteds

And I'm always up for birdie snuggles :bigkiss:

I want to start off by saying that for us bird people I dont think there is an overrated or underrated species because we can see each species as individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. Now that i have said that, i think the most overrated parrots are the large aww inspiring species that the uninformed think of when they hear the word "parrot". I think the most underrated birds are probably budgies and other "starter birds". (I hate that phrase)

I only really have experience with my gcc. And I can absolutely see why they are loved and recommended for new bird owners. I don't think that means gcc are over rated, we just recognize that this species tends to do well for people with little bird experience. Pumpkin is smart, loving, forgiving of my new-bird-owner-mistakes. He is is beautifully colored and has an ever growing vocabulary. He was the perfect match for me as my first bird. He is not capable of biting THAT hard and is relatively easy to care for with less food and space requirements the larger more flashy or impressive birds.

I love my GCC but admit for me they are overrated when compared to other birds species and others in their family. Still wonderful birds, and they deserve their reputation, but so do maroon bellies (breeders I got my Pazu from also breed maroons and they did have the exact same temperament).
Birds aren't as talked about in my area of the UK so no bird is every really over or underrated, only 1 petshop here sells bird in store.

I'd say budgies are easily the most underrated: [ame="https://youtu.be/WYcWA_RNl1s"]One Phrase Leads to Another - YouTube[/ame]

Wow. I never get tired of watching Disco's videos.

Also underrated, in my opinion, are eclectus parrots. Their intelligence is astronomical, they're great talkers, and tend to be very even tempered. Dream bird, far as I'm concerned.

Anansi said:

I'd say budgies are easily the most underrated: One Phrase Leads to Another - YouTube

Wow. I never get tired of watching Disco's videos.

Also underrated, in my opinion, are eclectus parrots. Their intelligence is astronomical, they're great talkers, and tend to be very even tempered. Dream bird, far as I'm concerned.

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If that's 100% real.... holy hell... that parakeet talks better than....pretty much any bird I've ever seen, except maybe a Gray.

I think mature male double yellow heads are given a bad reputation and generalized as aggressive making them underrated. Yes, they have their moments but they are also loving, cuddly and so cute!

ToMang07 said:

Anansi said:

I'd say budgies are easily the most underrated: One Phrase Leads to Another - YouTube

Wow. I never get tired of watching Disco's videos.

Also underrated, in my opinion, are eclectus parrots. Their intelligence is astronomical, they're great talkers, and tend to be very even tempered. Dream bird, far as I'm concerned.

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If that's 100% real.... holy hell... that parakeet talks better than....pretty much any bird I've ever seen, except maybe a Gray.

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Yeah, it's real. He was rated the world's best talking parrot. Not sure if he still holds the title or not, though.

Anansi said:

Yeah, it's real. He was rated the world's best talking parrot. Not sure if he still holds the title or not, though.

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That's ridiculous.... and awesome. I just watched some more of his videos.... the "Spanish Inqui-cheesburger" was my favorite, lmao! I would have never expected so much out of such a small bird!

If more people saw Disco then budgies wouldn't be so underrated I bet! He is one amazing little guy.
I also have to add Pionus in as underrated. Very rarely do I hear some one up here looking for one, and I am so glad we ended up with both of ours.