Small Birds Beginner

Bourke's Parakeets

  • Mixability: Good with own kind; can mix with other gentle, peaceful species.
  • Noise Level: Very low — one of the quietest aviary birds.
  • Special Needs: Easy-going temperament. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Beginner

Budgies

  • Mixability: Best kept with their own kind; mixing with other species possible but not guaranteed.
  • Noise Level: Low to moderate — cheerful background chatter.
  • Special Needs: Hardy and easy to keep. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary. Don't try to colony breed Budgies in the aviary — it can end in disaster. Take a pair out and breed them in a breeding cage instead.
Medium Birds Advanced

Caiques

  • Mixability: Own kind only.
  • Noise Level: Moderate to loud.
  • Special Needs: Keep as one pair per aviary, with strong wire and plenty of sturdy toys to chew. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Beginner

Canaries

  • Mixability: Good with own kind and other small, peaceful finches.
  • Noise Level: Moderate to high — known for their singing, particularly the males.
  • Special Needs: Males can become territorial with each other during breeding season. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Medium Birds Beginner

Cockatiels

  • Mixability: Good with own kind; can also mix with Finches, Canaries, Lineolated Parakeets, Diamond Doves, and Bourke's Parakeets, not guaranteed.
  • Noise Level: Low to moderate — whistling and occasional contact calls.
  • Special Needs: Robust and easy-going. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Beginner

Diamond Doves

  • Mixability: Good with own kind; can mix with other calm, non-aggressive small birds.
  • Noise Level: Very low — a soft, gentle cooing.
  • Special Needs: One of the calmest aviary species. Also benefits from having some lower branches in the aviary. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Intermediate

Fischer's Lovebirds

  • Mixability: Own kind only — not recommended for mixed aviaries.
  • Noise Level: Moderate to loud for their size — a persistent, high-pitched chirp.
  • Special Needs: Feisty nature; can be aggressive toward other birds sharing the space. Double wire is needed. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Medium Birds Intermediate

Green Cheek Conures

  • Mixability: Own kind only.
  • Noise Level: Moderate.
  • Special Needs: Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Medium Birds Advanced

Indian Ringnecks

  • Mixability: Can be kept as a colony; own kind only.
  • Noise Level: Moderate to loud.
  • Special Needs: Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Beginner

Lineolated Parakeets

  • Also known as: Linnies or Barred Parakeets.
  • Mixability: Good with own kind; can also mix with Cockatiels, not guaranteed.
  • Noise Level: Moderate — one of the quieter aviary options.
  • Special Needs: Calm and quiet once settled. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Intermediate

Parrotlets

  • Mixability: Own kind only.
  • Noise Level: Low.
  • Special Needs: Not winter hardy — needs extra protection from cold. Best kept as a single pair, or in same-sex groups (all males or all females). Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Medium Birds Advanced

Plumheads

  • Mixability: Can mix with other mixable aviary species, not guaranteed.
  • Noise Level: Moderate, particularly at dawn/dusk
  • Special Needs: Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Medium Birds Intermediate

Quaker Parrots

  • Mixability: Not mixable — own kind only.
  • Noise Level: Loud.
  • Special Needs: Hardy and can be kept in colonies, though a little destructive, so provide plenty to chew. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Medium Birds Intermediate

Rock Pebblers

Sometimes known as Regent Parrots.

  • Mixability: Good with own kind; can also mix with other gentle species, not guaranteed.
  • Noise Level: Moderate — has a voice, but not among the loudest species.
  • Special Needs: Larger size to accommodate, despite their calm temperament. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Medium Birds Intermediate

Rose Crowned Conures

  • Mixability: Own kind only.
  • Noise Level: Moderate.
  • Special Needs: Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Intermediate

Sierra Parakeets

  • Mixability: Good with own kind; likely mixes with other gentle, calm species, not guaranteed.
  • Noise Level: Quiet — has a voice, but calls are rarely loud.
  • Special Needs: Not winter hardy — needs extra protection from cold. Best kept as a single pair, or in same-sex groups (all males or all females). Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.
Small Birds Beginner

Zebra Finches

  • Mixability: Good with own kind; can mix with other small, peaceful finch species.
  • Noise Level: Low — frequent chirping and chatter, especially in a flock.
  • Special Needs: Lively and sociable. Needs a degree of protection from wind, rain, and extreme cold, along with a covering over the top of the aviary.