Parrot size varies widely by species. The lightest parrot is the tiny buff-faced pygmy parrot, which weighs 0.03 lbs. In contrast, the Kākāpō is the heaviest parrot, weighing 3.3-6 lbs.
Parrots can be lighter or heavier based on their genetics, gender, diet, exercise, and living conditions.
If you want to know what a parrot weighs to determine if it’s too light or heavy, we’ve included a table of the average weights of pet parrots to provide a baseline.
Parrot Weight Chart in Pounds
Captive parrots are larger than wild parrots because they have continuous access to food. Pet birds are also confined to their cages, while wild parrots fly for miles to survive.
A parrot is overweight if it weighs 15% more than the average for the species. Consequently, you should weigh parrots to check they’re not getting too heavy.
The weight (in pounds) of the most popular parrot species are:
African Gray Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Congo African Gray | 0.84 to 1.22 lbs |
| Timneh African Gray | 0.66 to 0.79 lbs |
The average weight of an African gray parrot is between 0.69 and 1.19 lbs. However, there are two African grays: the Congo and Timneh.
The Timneh is the lighter bird, weighing between 0.66 and 0.79 lbs. The Congo is slightly heavier, weighing between 0.84 and 1.22 lbs.
Congo and timneh African gray parrots are distinguished by their bright red tails and gray plumage.
Parakeet Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Alexandrine Parakeets | 0.55 lbs |
| Budgerigar Parakeets | 0.05 to 0.13 lbs |
| Crimson Rosella Parakeets | 0.32 lbs |
| Derbyan Parakeets | 0.71 lbs |
| Golden-Mantled Rosella Parakeets | 0.22 lbs |
| Gray-cheeked Parakeets | 0.10 to 0.13 lbs |
| Indian Ringneck Parrakeets | 0.25 lbs |
| Plum-Headed Parakeets | 0.20 lbs |
| Quaker or Monk Parakeets | 0.20 to 0.33 lbs |
| Red-Breasted Parakeets | 0.24 to 0.30 lbs |
| Red-Fronted Kakariki Parrakeets | 0.22 lbs |
| Red-Rumped Parakeets | 0.13 lbs |
| White-Winged Canary Parakeets | 0.15 lbs |
Average Weight of A Quaker Parrot
Also known as the monk parakeet, the weight of Quaker parrots is between 0.20 to 0.33 lbs. Once fully grown, they reach an average length of 11-12 inches.
Quaker parrots require an enclosure that measures at least 24″ x 30″ x 24″ to move around comfortably. Choose one with bars that are spaced at least 1/2″ to 5/8″ to prevent escape.
Quaker parrots bob their heads and shake, but this behavior is normal and unrelated to their weight.
How Much Alexandrine Parrots Weigh
The average weight of the Alexandrine parrot is 0.55 lbs. It measures 22-24 inches from head to tail, making it one of the largest parakeet species.
There are different subspecies of Alexandrine parrots, meaning their weights vary.
Lorrikeet Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Blue Streaked Lorrie | 0.35 lbs |
| Chattering Lorrie | 0.44 lbs |
| Dusky Lorrie | 0.34 lbs |
| Rainbow Lorrie | 0.29 lbs |
| Red Lorrie | 0.37 lbs |
Caique Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Black-Headed Caique | 0.32 to 0.37 lbs |
| White-Bellied Caique | 0.36 lbs |
Lovebird Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Fisher’s Lovebird | 0.11 lbs |
| Masked Lovebird | 0.11 lbs |
| Peach-Faced Lovebird | 0.10 to 0.15 lbs |
Cockatoo Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Citron-Crested Cockatoo | 0.66 to 1.10 lbs |
| Red-Vented Cockatoo | 0.64 lbs |
| Sulphur-crested Cockatoo | 1.72 lbs |
| Yellow-Crested Cockatoo | 0.75 lbs |
| Umbrella Cockatoo | 1.10 to 1.39 lbs |
Macaw Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Blue-And-Yellow Macaw | 2.20 lbs |
| Hyacinth Macaw | 2.7 to 3.7 lbs |
| Military Macaw | 1.98 to 2.43 lbs |
| Red-And-Green Macaw | 0.50 lbs |
| Scarlet Macaw | 2.20 lbs |
How Much Scarlet Macaw Parrots Weigh
Scarlet macaws are among the world’s largest parrot species, weighing 2.20 lbs. Also, from the beak to the tail, they can reach 32 to 33 inches, making them very long.
Wild scarlet macaws eat nuts, leaves, berries, and seeds in their natural rainforest habitat. Interestingly, they can also eat plants and berries that are toxic to other birds.
It’s thought that this is because they ingest clay from salt licks found in Peru, which neutralizes the poisons before the body absorbs them.
Other Parrot Species
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| African Ringneck Parrot | 0.23 lbs |
| Buff-Faced Pygmy Parrot | 0.03 lbs |
| Cockatiel | 0.2 lbs |
| Eclectus Parrot | 0.83 to 1.21 lbs |
| Kākāpō Parrot | 2 to 9 lbs |
| Kea Parrot | 2.20 lbs |
| Pacific Parrotlet | 0.07 lbs |
| Red-Bellied Parrot | 0.28 lbs |
| Senegal Parrot | 0.24 to 0.29 lbs |
| St. Vincent Amazon | 1.28 to 1.54 lbs |
| Zebra Finch | 0.02 to 0.04 lbs |
How Much Senegal Parrots Weigh
Senegal parrots are small birds that weigh between 0.24 and 0.29 lbs and reach just 9 inches long.
They can live comfortably in enclosures measuring 20″ x 20″ x 28″. Bar spacing should be 3/4 inches apart to prevent them from slipping through the gaps or getting their heads stuck.
Senegal parrots are prone to bornavirus, which other birds pass on. This virus causes poor digestion and weight loss, leaving them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies.
How Big Eclectus Parrots Get
Eclectus parrots weigh between 0.83 and 1.21 lbs and reach 12 to 14 inches long.
Eclectus parrots have a longer digestive tract than other birds, so they need a high-fiber, low-fat diet with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Also, Eclectus parrots need exercise to prevent them from becoming overweight. They’re prone to weight-related health conditions, like fatty liver disease and lipomas.
World’s Lightest Parrot
The world’s smallest parrot is the buff-faced pygmy parrot. It’s only 3 inches long, almost half the parakeet’s average size. This isn’t much bigger than an adult human’s thumb.
As an adult, the buff-faced pygmy parrot weighs only 0.03 lbs (12 grams), making it very light.
The buff-faced pygmy parrot is mostly bright green and lives in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests in New England and New Guinea.
Besides the buff-faced pygmy parrot, the world’s smallest parrots include:
- Asian hanging parrot (0.06 lbs).
- Pacific parrotlet (0.07 lbs).
- Fig parrot (0.09 lbs).
- Australian budgerigar (0.06 to 0.08 lbs).
- African lovebird (0.09 to 0.13 lbs).
There’s a vital difference between being small and underweight.
Largest And Heaviest Parrot
The world’s heaviest parrot is the Kākāpō, weighing 3.3-6 lbs. Males are heavier than females.
According to Cambridge University Press, Kākāpōs (owl parrots) are threatened with extinction. Their numbers have declined due to ease of capture (they’re ground-based) and fungal infections.
Kākāpōs can’t fly due to their weight and soft feathers, which aren’t stiff or strong enough for flight. Instead, they hop along the floor, using their wings for balance, making them vulnerable to predators.
The hyacinth macaw is the world’s biggest flying parrot but not the heaviest. As adults, they reach 2.7 to 3.7 lbs. They also measure up to 40 inches from head to tail, with a wingspan of 4 feet.
Due to their large size and weight, hyacinth macaws are hunted by indigenous tribesmen for meat.
