Red, purple, green, blue, and yellow – parrots come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.
And one of our favorite parrot colors? Red!
Red is a beautiful, bright color that is attractive to the eye and catches our attention – especially when on our parrots.
There are dozens of different types of red parrots, but today we’re going to talk about the top 20.
So what types of parrots can you expect to see on the list?
Some of the most popular red parrots include the Scarlet Macaw, as well as the Red and Green Macaw. But Macaws aren’t the only type of parrot that you can find in vivid red coloring. Other red parrots include the Rose Breasted Cockatoo, the female Eclectus, and the Cherry Headed Conure.
Join us now as we count down the top 20 most popular red parrots.
Scarlet Macaw
- Length: 31-38 inches
- Weight: 2-2.5 pounds
The Scarlet Macaw is one of the largest species of parrots in the world.
From their beak to their tail, the Scarlet Macaw can be as long as 33 inches.
When people think of parrot species, the Scarlet Macaw is one of the most common types of parrot that come to mind.
They have a vivid red plumage that covers most of their body, wings, and tail with some white on their face, and blue and yellow feathers mixed in with their wings.
Once a Macaw mates, it mates for life.
And if you choose to be the owner of a Macaw, that loyalty will extend to your partnership with them.
For this reason, Macaws make excellent companions and are each intelligent, active, and affectionate.
Western Rosella
- Length: 10 inches
- Weight: 45-80 grams
Native to South Western Australia, the Western Rosella is the smallest species of all the Rosellas.
The majority of their body is vivid red in color with some yellow on their chins, cheeks, and lures.
They also have some greens, blues, and blacks mixed in with their wings.
In terms of pets, Western Rosellas can be on the noisier side, except for when they are eating which they typically do in silence.
They have a high pitched contact call and even higher pitched alarm call that can be annoying if you have neighbors.
Unlike some species of parrot that can outlive their owners, the Western Rosella generally only lives an average of 15 years.
Crimson Rosella
- Length: 36 cm
- Weight: 120 grams
Native to Australia, the Crimson Rosella is commonly found in parks and gardens.
They are an eye-catching red in colour with some blue and black mixed into their plumage.
Of all the Rosella species, the Crimson Rosella is one of the most popular.
They are not well known for their talking abilities, but they can pick up the tune of a song very easily.
The Crimson Rosella is less cuddly than some other parrot species but will be happy to ride around on your shoulder.
This species does have a tendency to nip, so it’s more commonly found in aviaries than it is as a household pet.
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Red and Green Macaw
- Length: 26-40 inches
- Weight: 2-4 pounds
Though their name suggests that they are equally red and green in colour, the Red and Green Macaw is actually more red than it is green.
Native to South America, this species of parrot can live up to 50 years or more.
They are a great deal of work and require a lot of attention.
For this reason, they are not for novice parrot owners.
With that being said, of all the large macaws, the Red and Green Macaw is one of the more gentle species.
They are less likely than other Macaws to throw mood swings and are also less likely to bite.
When raised properly and treated well, the Red and Green Macaw can make a great lifetime companion.
Crimson Shining Parrot
- Length: 45 cm
- Weight: 280 grams
Sometimes referred to as the Kadavu Musk Parrot, the Crimson Shining Parrot is native to Fiji and from the islands of Kadavu and Ono.
This mid-sized parrot has a head, breast, and belly that are bright crimson red with green wings and tail.
The species is among one of the more vocal types of parrots, with a high-pitch squeak and call.
This species of parrot often forages in pairs looking for fresh fruits and seeds.
Sadly, they are considered a vulnerable species due to Illegal trade and habitat loss.
Black Winged Lory
- Length: 31 cm
- Weight: 120 grams
The Black Winged Lory is mostly red in colour with, no surprise here, black wings.
It is defined as being playful and intelligent, yet is rarely found in captivity.
This is because the Black Winged Lory is actually very rare not only in captivity, but also in the wild.
This species is considered vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and it’s low numbers are mostly considered due to deforestation.
While Lory’s like this can make a good pet for the owner, they can also be somewhat aggressive.
There have even been some reports that male Black Winged Lory’s may kill their mates, making them unsuitable for breeding programs.
Female Eclectus
- Length: 14 inches
- Weight: 452 grams
While the male Eclectus tends to be bright green in colour, females are bright red.
Because they are so different in appearance, bird experts actually believe that they were two different species of parrot in the past.
Native to the Solomon Islands, this bird is not only beautiful but also makes a great pet.
The species is intelligent and much gentler than some other parrots of its size.
Keep in mind however, that if you are housing a female eclectus parrot, females do have a tendency to be territorial, especially if it is breeding season.
The species is also quite vocal with an impressive vocabulary.
Violet Necked Lory
- Length: 27 cm
- Weight: 110 grams
Of all the Lory species, The Violet Necked Lory is considered to be one of the more gentle.
They are very social and love to be around people.
They also make great pets because even though they like to mimic, they are not very loud or noisy like some other parrot species.
Though it will not develop as extensive of a vocabulary as some other types of parrots, The Violet neck Lory can learn to talk.
Even though these parrots make excellent pets, they are rarely found in captivity due to the fact that they are expensive and high maintenance.
Blue Streaked Lory
Length: 31 cm
Weight: 145-155 grams
Native to two small islands in the Maluku archipelago in Indonesia, the Blue Streaked Lory is a rare sight both in the wild and in captivity.
They are considered to be an exotic parrot that requires a great deal of upkeep and maintenance.
Not only does the species require a great deal of upkeep, but they also have a tendency to be quite noisy.
The Blue Streaked Lory has a high pitched nature call and is therefore not suited to those who live in close quarters to others.
With that being said, the species of parrot is very intelligent, very social, and loves to play.
If you are lucky enough to be able to find a Blue Streaked Lory, you will have a closely bonded companion for life.
Rose Breasted Cockatoo
- Length: 12-15 inches
- Weight: 28-390 grams
Though the Rose-breasted Cockatoo is really more pink than it is red, we’ve decided to include it in this list anyways.
Better known by its Australian name, “Galah”, the Rose Breasted Cockatoo is very social and very intelligent.
They are avid speakers and can learn an impressive vocabulary of words.
In addition to learning words, the Rose Breasted Cockatoo is also very easy to train and can learn a variety of parrot tricks.
The species is native to Australia, but is also now well-established in Tasmania.
They are commonly found in urban areas and often considered by farmers as pests. This parrot tends to be very vocal and it’s name reflects that.
The term “Galah” is actually slang in Australia for “loudmouth idiot”. The species requires a great deal of attention in captivity or otherwise it can become depressed and destructive.
Red and Blue Lory
Length: 31 cm
Weight: 150-185 grams
The Red and Blue Lory is a high-energy parrot that is a popular choice among bird owners.
They are native to Indonesia and are commonly found as pets in their homeland.
Not only is this type of parrot absolutely beautiful, but they also have a fun, upbeat, and playful personality. With that being said, they are not for the novice parrot owner.
The Red and Blue Lory requires a great deal of time and attention , and needs an owner that can provide them with lots of social interaction.
This type of parrot is extremely intelligent but also has the tendency to be nippy and temperamental.
Without plenty of attention, they can also become destructive.
Red Lory
- Length: 31 cm
- Weight: 150-185 grams
The Red Lory is very similar in stature and personality to the Red and Blue Lory.
Also native to Indonesia, this parrot has a social, entertaining personality.
This species is well known for their talking abilities and is also very well known for being very vocal.
You will always know when there is a Red Lory in your home because they are very chatty.
And while they can be extremely entertaining, the Red Lory does require a lot of social interaction and attention.
Without it they can become temperamental and, like the Red and Blue Lory, can become destructive and/or nippy.
Blue Eared Lory
- Length: 24 cm
- Weight: 170 grams
Also referred to as Ceram Lorys or Half-masked Lorys, The Blue Eared Lory has sadly landed itself on the endangered species list.
Native to the Seram mountains in Indonesia, these lorys are often found travelling in small flocks and feeding on flowering trees.
Because of their endangered status, the Blue Eared Lory is rarely found in homes.
When they are found in homes, they cannot be released back into the wild and must be entered into rehabilitation programs if the owner decides they can no longer handle their needs.
Cardinal Lory
- Length: 12 inches
- Weight: 198 grams
The Cardinal Lory is a social, energetic, entertaining species of parrot that is native to Oceania.
In fact, they are one of the most popular Lory species in all of Papua New Guinea.
This species is a close cousin of the Dusky Lory, and has a very similar personality.
Although they do make noise, the Cardinal Lory is much quieter than many other parrots of their size.
They do have a harsh nature call, but this call is only heard when your Lory is bored.
Aside from that, Cardinal Lory’s are relatively quiet parrots.
They are not known for their talking or mimicking abilities.
With that being said, the Cardinal Lory can do a variety of tricks and has a tendency to be very entertaining.
They can also be affectionate and are always open to being handled or cuddled.
Chattering Lory
- Length: 12 inches
- Weight: 140 grams
The Chattering Lory is a parrot that is native to North Maluku in Indonesia.
Sadly, their habitat is very small and because of illegal trade their population is in rapid decline.
For this reason, the Chattering Lory is considered a vulnerable species of parrot.
With that being said, because of their rarity and their unique, entertaining personalities, the Chattering Lory is a highly sought-after pet.
The species is energetic, social, and relatively quiet compared to other parrots.
Still, their nature calls can be piercing and high pitch.
They are also very good at mimicking and can mimic a variety of things including humans, telephones, alarms, and so on and so forth.
Purple Naped Lory
- Length: 28 cm
- Weight: 235 grams
Also native to Indonesia, the Purple Naped Lory is another endangered species of parrot.
Again, the rarity and endangerment of this bird is mainly due to illegal trapping and trading.
The purple Naped Lory is mostly red in colour with a black head and purple on the back of the neck.
It also has green, blue, and yellow mixed into its plumage.
Moluccan King Parrot
- Length: 35 cm
- Weight: 15-163 grams
The Moluccan King Parrot is yet another species of parrot that is native to Maluku Indonesia.
You can also find them in the Peleng islands, and in west Papua and Northern New Guinea.
They are most commonly found in the rainforest, but also forage for food in gardens and farms.
Like other species that are native to Indonesia, this population is threatened by illegal trade and the destruction of their habitat.
When they are found in captivity, the Moluccan king parrot has a relatively docile and calm personality.
Some owners may even describe them as shy.
This species is also much quieter than other parrot species, but that also means that you won’t find them speaking the human vocabulary.
Australian King Parrot
As it would come as no surprise, the Australian King parrot is native to Australia.
And though they are very popular pets in Australia, they are rarely found in the United States or other places around the world.
Unlike many other parrots that are extremely social, the Australian King parrot prefers not to be pet or a cuddled.
They can learn to speak some words, but don’t have an extensive vocabulary like some other parrots.
With that being said, Australian King parrots that are hand raised from the time they are babies do tend to bond strongly with their owners.
Because the species is dimorphic, the males and females look different.
Males have more red in their plumage than females and are the only species of parrot that have an entirely red head.
They are a gentle species of parrot and quieter than other types, but are not as affectionate.
Papuan King Parrot
- Length: 36cm
- Weight: 138-190 grams
The Pauan King parrot is a larger species of parrot that makes a good pet but requires a lot of space.
They can be kept in the home but do better in aviaries where they have space to fly.
They are a good choice for novice parrot owners because they are quiet and relatively docile.
They tend to be very tame even when found in the wild and not hand raised.
With that being said, they also don’t like to be handled often.
These parrots prefer to be in their own space even though they are quite friendly.
They are also extremely intelligent and love to play.
Salmon Crested Cockatoo
Also referred to as the Moluccan cockatoo, the Salmon crested cockatoo isn’t actually red in colour but is more of a light pink.
Just as the Salmon crested cockatoo is absolutely beautiful, they also have a great temperament.
They are one of the largest of all cockatoo species, but their size can range greatly depending on which region of Indonesia they are from.
Because of their large size, Salmon crested cockatoos require a great deal of cage space if they are kept as a pet.
They are also very social parrots who require a great deal of attention.
They are not very good at spending time alone and will constantly vie for your affection.
They want to be held and cuddled 24 hours a day and can become angry and neurotic when they don’t receive the attention they want.
Because of this, a lot of Salmon crested cockatoo owners will purchase a second cockatoo for companionship.
In most cases this is okay, but if your cockatoo is nesting you need to be careful as they are known for bird on bird aggression, and have even been known to kill their mates.
So there you have it some of the most common red parrots.
If you are considering purchasing a red parrot always be sure to do your research beforehand.
Each type of parrot has their own individual needs and some are considered more high-maintenance than others.
Because parrots can live 60 years or more, it’s important that you understand the responsibility that comes along with them.
If you feel that a parrot could be a good companion for you, we hope this list can help you choose one wisely.