Few birds catch the eye quite as effortlessly as bright blue parrots.
Many wild parrots have some blue feathers, but the hyacinth macaw is entirely blue. Quite a few pionus parrots are also blue, and budgies and parrotlets sometimes have blue color mutations.
Having some blue feathers is common, but blue is seldom the dominant color of parrots. They’re primarily another color (usually green) with some areas of blue plumage.
How Parrots Get Blue Feathers
Parrots get their colors from psittacofulvins, not carotenoids (diet) like many other bird species.
Specific colors occur from β-keratins reacting to short light wavelengths and air pockets. Blue is a structural color, not a pigmented color.
Suppose parrots have tri-color feathers. Protein molecules (keratin) force red and yellow shades to cancel each other out, meaning the blue feathers dominate the plumage.
From deep to pale, the shade of blue depends on the keratin-air nanostructures in the feathers.
Origins of Blue Parrots
Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Guinea host blue parrots, but their numbers are greatest in South and Central American territories like Brazil.
The rainforest, home to many blue parrots, is being lost. The Glaucous Macaw is critically endangered, as its terrain in Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay is being destroyed.
This has a knock-on effect on the demand for blue parrots. Depending on your state, a blue parrot may be legal to keep as an exotic pet in the U.S., but they’re expensive due to their scarcity.
Blue Parrot Types
Many parrot species boast traces of blue in their feathers, including:
Blue-and-Gold Macaws (Ara Ararauna)
The blue hue of the blue-and-yellow macaw comes from the back and wings. The chest is yellow, and the forehead is green.
They’re 34 to 36 inches long and weigh up to 2.7 pounds. Their wings extend for up to 45 inches.
Only commit to caring for a blue-and-yellow macaw if you want a pet with a strong and vocal personality.
Blue-and-yellow macaws are loud birds, sometimes making squawking sounds. If taught, they may learn to say a few words, although they aren’t prolific talkers.
The blue-and-yellow macaw needs near-constant engagement and interaction. Bringing this parrot into your home means you’ll have a long-lived avian companion for up to 45 years.
Blue-crowned Conures (Thectocercus Acuticaudatus)
The blue-crowned conure (blue-crowned parakeet) is a small, green parrot with a bright blue head.
They’re 14.5 inches long and can live for 30+ years.
While many species of conure are feisty, this parrot is comparatively calm. Of course, a bored or upset blue-crowned conure can be a challenging companion.
Once you’ve gained the trust of a blue-crowned conure, it’ll become friendly and playful. Blue-crowned conures enjoy learning and performing tricks to entertain people.
Blue-Headed Pionus (Pionus Menstruus)
The blue-headed pionus hails from Costa Rica. A striking and unmissable blue head sits atop a proud, green body.
Once fully grown, this parrot measures around 12 inches, weighing up to 9 ounces. They live for 35-45 years.
The blue-headed pionus is curious and vocal. They’re a gentle species that enjoys playing and spending time with their owners.
Budgerigars (Melopsittacus Undulatus)
Due to selective breeding, budgies can be sourced in a blue mutation. They’re small birds, about 6 to 7 inches long.
Budgies usually live in captivity for 7-15 years, with significant variances based on how well their care needs are met.
English budgies (show budgies) are much bigger than American budgies, meaning new owners sometimes confuse them.
Although you’ll notice the size disparity, they can live together. English budgies are quieter and more relaxed than Australian budgies, while the latter usually live longer.
Budgies aren’t as loud as macaws because they’re much smaller birds but frequently vocalize. With training, budgies can develop an extensive vocabulary.
Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus Hyacinthinus)
The hyacinth macaw grows to 40 inches, weighs as much as 4 pounds, and can live for 50 years.
They have a long, sharp beak and a huge wingspan. That said, the hyacinth macaw is a gentle giant.
Once domesticated and trained, the hyacinth macaw can make an excellent companion for highly experienced owners.
While not as eloquent as some parrots, hyacinth macaws love human company. Unfortunately, they’re rarely found in captivity due to their dwindling numbers.
Indian Ringneck Parakeets (Psittacula Krameri)
Blue Indian ringneck parakeets are medium-sized blue parrots with a black ring around their necks. Their beaks are deep red.
They can reach up to 16 inches long and, with care and attention from their owners, live for 30 to 35 years.
Blue Indian ringneck parakeets are gifted talkers. Of course, learning to speak is never guaranteed.
Blue Indian ringneck parakeets make loving pets. Unfortunately, Indian ringnecks can be nippy.
Lear’s Macaws (Anodorhynchus Leari)
Hailing from Brazil, the Lear’s macaw boasts strikingly deep blue feathers. In many respects, they’re as beautiful as the hyacinth macaw but are slightly smaller (27.5-29.5 inches long).
Lear’s macaws emigrated to South America from the U.K. and were named in tribute to the poet Edward Lear.
Although they have a life expectancy of up to 60 years, they’re rarely encountered in captivity.
Pacific Parrotlets (Forpus Coelestis)
Pacific parrotlets are 4.3-5.5 inch, 1-ounce micro-parrots. They’re smaller than budgies but live longer (15-20 years).
Although parrotlets are a fraction of the size of other parrots, they’re strong-willed and can be difficult.
Pacific parrotlets have just as much personality as their larger brethren. They are fun and affectionate.
Their diminutive size means a smaller larynx, so they’re quieter than many parrots. They can learn simple words and phrases but will never develop a vast vocabulary.
Quaker Parrots (Myiopsitta Monachus)
Blue Quakers have a pale blue back and wings extending to the tail. Their breast, forehead, and underwings are blue-grey.
They can reach 12 inches long and live for 20 to 30 years.
Quaker parakeets are easy-going, effortlessly entertaining pets that love chatting and bonding with their owners.
You’ll be adopting the clown of the parrot world. They’re intelligent and can learn to talk. This species is loyal and affectionate, bonding strongly with the right owner.
Owning a Quaker parrot in some U.S. territories is illegal. Check this table to determine the legality:
| Illegal to Own | Legal to Own |
| California | Alabama |
| Colorado | Alaska |
| Connecticut | Arizona |
| Georgia | Arkansas |
| Hawaii | Delaware |
| Idaho | District of Columbia |
| Kansas | Florida |
| Kentucky | Illinois |
| Maine | Indiana |
| Wyoming | Iowa |
| New Jersey | Louisiana |
| Pennsylvania | Maryland |
| Tennessee | Michigan |
| Wisconsin | Minnesota |
| Mississippi | |
| Missouri | |
| Montana | |
| Nebraska (permit required) | |
| Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | |
| New Mexico | |
| New York (parrot must be banded and never released) | |
| North Carolina | |
| North Dakota | |
| Ohio (parrot’s wings must be clipped) | |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | |
| Rhode Island (permit required) | |
| South Carolina | |
| South Dakota | |
| Texas | |
| Utah | |
| Vermont (permit required, and the breeder must be licensed) | |
| Virginia (parrot must be banded and never released, sold, or bred) | |
| Washington | |
| West Virginia |
White-capped Pionus (Pionus Senilis)
The white-capped pionus is instantly recognizable due to its white markings at the tip of its skull.
Also, it has a deep blue head on top of a green-and-blue body.
They reach 9-10 inches long and live for around 30 years. As the smallest pionus species, this parrot is as quiet as its brethren.
Only a vet can sex white-capped pionus, as males and females have no aesthetic differences.
How Much Blue Parrots Cost
Here’s a guide to how much you should expect to pay for a blue parrot:
| Blue-and-gold macaws | $1,200 to $1,500 |
| Blue-crowned conures | $800 to $2,000 |
| Blue-headed pionus | $850 to $1,500 |
| Blue budgerigars | $20 to $40. |
| Hyacinth macaws | $5,000 to $22,000 |
| Blue Indian ringneck parakeets | $600 to $800 |
| Lear’s macaws | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| Blue pacific parrotlets | $100 to $300 |
| Blue Quaker parrots | $300 to $600 |
| White-capped pionus | $800 to $1,750 |
How Long Blue Parrots Live
According to The Atrium, species is a significant factor in the lifespan of parrots.
This table summarizes the average lifespans of the blue parrots we’ve profiled:
| Blue-and-gold macaws | 35+ years |
| Blue-crowned conures | 25 to 30 years |
| Blue-headed pionus | 35-45 years |
| Budgerigars | 7-15 years |
| Hyacinth macaws | 50+ years |
| Indian ringneck parakeets | 30-35 years |
| Lear’s macaws | 60 years |
| Pacific parrotlets | 15 to 20 years |
| Quaker parrots | 20 to 30 years |
| White-capped pionus | 30+ years |
Blue parrots are among the most aesthetically striking companion birds. Due to their traits, personalities, and scarcity, some parrots are better suited to life as pets than others.
