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“Large bird breeds” usually means large parrot species, not domesticated breeds. Macaws, cockatoos, Amazon parrots, and African greys can be rewarding companions, but they need substantial space, daily attention, enrichment, and care that may span decades. The right choice depends less on size or talking ability than on whether your household can meet that particular bird’s needs. Ostriches and emus are larger still, but they are ratites—not household pet options.
What counts as a large bird breed?
In everyday pet searches, “breed” is often used for a kind of bird. For companion parrots, the more accurate terms are species or group: macaws, cockatoos, Amazon parrots, and African greys are the main large-parrot groups covered here. A bird’s size alone does not tell you whether it will suit your home; noise, social needs, available room, and access to veterinary care matter just as much.
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There is a separate meaning of “large bird.” Ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries, and kiwis are ratites, a group of flightless birds. The MSD Veterinary Manual’s overview of ratites identifies ostriches as the largest ratites and emus as second in size. These birds belong in farm, wildlife, or zoo contexts—not in a list of household companion birds.
So the answer to “What is the biggest bird?” depends on what you are comparing. Among the companion parrots in this guide, macaws are the largest parrots, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Among ratites, ostriches are largest. That distinction matters: a very large wild or farm bird is not simply a bigger version of a pet parrot.
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Which large companion bird might fit your household?
There is no universally best large parrot. Compare the groups by how much interaction and space you can provide, how well you tolerate noise, and whether you can commit to long-term care. A good match is not necessarily the bird most famous for talking or the one that looks most impressive. It is the bird whose demands your household can meet consistently.
| Species or group | Size | Published lifespan guidance | Social and noise considerations | Housing and care considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macaws | VCA gives large macaws as 900–1,700 g and 30–40 in (76–102 cm). | MSD gives macaws 30–60 years; VCA gives large macaws an average range of 50–60 years and notes reports of some living over 90. | Merck describes macaws as loud and says they need exercise, time, and attention. | VCA suggests a 4 ft × 5 ft × 5 ft cage for large macaws; annual veterinary health examinations are highly recommended. |
| Cockatoos | Varies by species and individual; the cited lifespan and housing guidance covers the group rather than one body-size range. | MSD gives 25–50 years. | Can demand considerable handling and attention, scream loudly, and chew. | VCA suggests 4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft for large cockatoos. |
| Amazon parrots | Varies by species and individual; the cited lifespan and housing guidance covers the group rather than one body-size range. | MSD gives 40–50 years. | Most are loud and may bond closely to one person. The National Aviary describes blue-fronted Amazons as loud, social, and intelligent, and difficult to keep as pets. | VCA suggests 3 ft × 3 ft × 4 ft for Amazons. |
| African greys | Varies by individual; the cited sources do not provide a comparable adult-size range here. | MSD gives 30–50 years. | Highly intelligent and in need of much time and attention; behavior problems may occur. | VCA suggests 3 ft × 3 ft × 4 ft for African greys. |
Lifespan figures are published ranges, not promises for an individual bird. The sources differ: for example, MSD gives macaws a broad 30–60-year range, while VCA describes an average of 50–60 years for large macaws and notes some reported cases over 90. Species, individual circumstances, and the source’s scope affect the figure. Use the ranges to understand the scale of the commitment, not to predict exactly how long a particular bird will live. The MSD Veterinary Manual gives African greys 30–50 years, Amazons 40–50 years, and cockatoos 25–50 years.
Housing dimensions are likewise starting guidance, not a universal specification; VCA says bigger is generally better. The group descriptions and lifespan ranges are drawn from the MSD Veterinary Manual’s pet-bird guide, the Merck Veterinary Manual’s guide, and the relevant linked veterinary sources.
Think of the table as a comparison of care questions, not a ranking. Macaws combine substantial size with loud calls, a need for exercise, and a long lifespan. Cockatoos can require considerable handling and attention and may scream and chew. Most Amazons are loud, and some may form a close bond with one person. African greys are intelligent and require considerable time and attention; behavior problems can occur. A trait reported for a group is a reason to plan, not a guarantee that every individual will behave the same way.
How do you decide whether a large parrot is right for you?
Start with your daily routine and home, not with a bird’s appearance or ability to talk. A large parrot is a poor fit if you cannot consistently provide the time, room, interaction, and long-term care it needs. The MSD Veterinary Manual’s practical question—“How Do I Choose a Pet Bird?”—is best answered by looking at the realities of your household before choosing a species.
- Time and attention: Ask whether you can meet daily social and behavioral needs over many years, including when work, travel, or household routines change. The AVMA’s SelectBird guide says, “Amazons, African Greys, macaws, and cockatoos have unique personalities that require more time and effort by their owners to ensure their social and behavioral needs are met.” That extra time is part of ordinary care, not an occasional activity to fit in when convenient.
- Noise tolerance: Consider the bird’s calls and the people who share walls or living space with you. Macaws are described as loud; most Amazons are loud; and cockatoos can scream loudly. Do not assume that an individual bird will be quiet because of its species label. If sound could create a problem at home, with neighbors, or under building rules, address it before acquisition.
- Room for suitable housing: Measure the space available for a large parrot cage against guidance for the actual group and bird. Allow for the fact that a suggested cage size is a starting point, not a promise that it will suit every individual. Consider whether your home can accommodate the recommended scale without compromising the rest of the bird’s care.
- Enrichment and chewing: Hook-billed birds need to chew, according to the AVMA. Plan for suitable chew and enrichment opportunities as part of everyday husbandry, rather than treating them as optional extras. A bird’s need to chew is a care consideration when deciding what to provide and how to keep its environment engaging.
- Long-term commitment: A large parrot may live for decades. Think through who would care for the bird if your circumstances change, and whether you can sustain its care across that period. The figures in the comparison are broad published ranges, but even their lower ends represent a substantial commitment.
- Veterinary access and budget: Locate a veterinarian who regularly sees birds and ask about the likely care needs for the species you are considering. Do this before acquiring a bird, not after an urgent problem arises. The MSD guide recommends weighing costs as well as time, cage size, and noise. The cited sources do not establish a universal price for a bird or its upkeep, so make a budget with advice from a bird-experienced veterinarian rather than relying on a generic figure.
The MSD Veterinary Manual advises prospective owners to weigh lifestyle, time, costs, cage size, and noise when choosing a pet bird. It specifically cautions that cockatoos and African greys are not suitable for inexperienced owners. That is a reason to assess your experience and support carefully, not a claim that every individual of either group behaves identically. If you are new to birds, ask a bird-experienced veterinarian what care a particular species demands and whether it suits your situation before you commit.
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How much space does a large parrot need?
Choose housing for the actual species and bird; there is no one cage size that fits every large parrot. VCA’s suggested minimum dimensions are useful starting guidance, and VCA notes that bigger is generally better. The recommendations below differ by group, so do not pick a cage simply because it is described as “large” or because it fits another parrot species.
| Parrot group | VCA suggested cage dimensions |
|---|---|
| African greys | 3 ft × 3 ft × 4 ft |
| Amazons | 3 ft × 3 ft × 4 ft |
| Large cockatoos | 4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft |
| Large macaws | 4 ft × 5 ft × 5 ft |
These are suggested dimensions, not a guarantee that a cage will suit every individual, nor a complete housing specification. A bird’s size and needs vary, and the dimensions should be selected for that bird. For example, VCA’s suggested dimensions for large macaws are larger in two measurements than its guidance for African greys and Amazons. That is one reason to match the cage to the bird rather than treating the table as a single standard. Ask an avian veterinarian for guidance before choosing a cage. See VCA’s guidance on housing large birds.
When considering a large parrot cage, start with the relevant group’s dimensions and then confirm what is appropriate for the individual bird. The listed guidance supports a size comparison, not a particular manufacturer, model, or complete set of cage specifications. A product’s “large” label alone does not tell you whether its dimensions meet the guidance for your bird.
What do large parrots eat?
Diet depends on the bird and should be planned with an avian or exotics veterinarian. As general guidance, the University of California, Davis California Veterinary Emergency Team’s feeding guide lists pellets for adult parrots larger than conures and cockatiels, along with vegetables and fruit. This gives prospective owners a broad sense of the diet category, but it does not specify one universal menu for every large parrot.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesAdult parrot pellets are one part of that general guidance; vegetables and fruit are listed alongside them. Do not assume that one pellet brand or formula suits every parrot, or that a broad guide replaces advice from a veterinarian who knows the bird. The guide does not provide a basis for choosing a specific brand or amount for an individual animal. Ask for a feeding plan suited to the bird rather than extrapolating from a general category.
The same UC Davis guide lists a ratite-formulated diet for emus and ostriches; that is separate from parrot feeding advice and reinforces that ratites are not companion parrots. The guide was last updated in January 2025; see the UC Davis avian and exotics feeding guide.
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What veterinary care should you plan for?
Find a veterinarian who regularly sees birds and discuss the needs of the particular species before you bring one home. The AVMA recommends seeking a bird-experienced veterinarian in your community and asking for advice on a species suited to your lifestyle. VCA says annual veterinary health examinations are highly recommended for macaws.
Veterinary access is part of choosing a bird, not an afterthought. Ask prospective sources for recommendations, and make sure you know whom to contact for routine care. For a long-lived animal, this planning helps you evaluate both the bird’s needs and the support available to meet them. A veterinarian can also help you think through an individual bird’s housing and feeding plan rather than relying only on broad group guidance.
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AVMA says a reputable breeder is often the best source for a large parrot, and also suggests seeking recommendations from rescue groups, bird clubs, and avian veterinarians. It warns against purchasing a bird sight unseen online. A recommendation from a bird-experienced veterinarian or a local bird community can help you identify possible sources, but you still need to assess whether a particular bird is right for your household.
Before committing, speak with a bird-experienced veterinarian and assess whether the bird’s needs fit your household. Laws and conservation restrictions vary by species and location, so check current local requirements before acquisition. The cited sources do not establish one universal set of ownership rules. Do not assume that a rule applying to one species or place applies to another; verify the requirements that apply where you live and to the bird you are considering.
There is no dependable universal purchase or care price in the cited guidance. Costs are one of the factors the MSD Veterinary Manual says to weigh, but expenses depend on the bird and the arrangements needed to care for it. Before choosing, account for the long-term commitment, suitable housing, food, and access to veterinary care, and ask a bird-experienced veterinarian about expected needs. Avoid treating an unverified price estimate as a complete ownership budget.
How large are ostriches and emus?
Ostriches are the largest ratites, while emus are second in size; neither is a household companion-bird alternative. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual’s ratite overview, mature ostriches stand 2.4–2.8 m tall and may weigh up to 160 kg, with most weighing 65–130 kg. Emus may reach 2 m tall and weigh 18–48 kg. The page was last updated in September 2024.
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Those figures answer a different question from choosing a large pet parrot. If you mean “largest bird” literally, ratites are the relevant group; if you mean a large companion bird, compare parrot species by household fit and care needs instead. Their size and the separate ratite-formulated feeding guidance are reminders that “large bird” covers very different kinds of animals.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How we framed the comparison
This guide compares the large companion-parrot groups for which the cited veterinary sources provide useful care, lifespan, noise, or housing guidance. It does not rank them as “best,” because the right choice depends on a reader’s time, noise tolerance, available room, ability to provide exercise and enrichment, care budget, and access to an avian veterinarian. Ratites are included only to clarify the distinction between very large birds and pet parrots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a large parrot live in an apartment?
There is no single answer based on the word “apartment”: the bird’s noise, daily needs, and space requirements all matter. Check whether your home and household can accommodate the species-specific housing guidance, and confirm any applicable building rules before acquiring a bird.
Are large parrots suitable for first-time bird owners?
It depends on the species and the owner’s ability to meet demanding care needs. The MSD Veterinary Manual cautions that cockatoos and African greys are not for inexperienced owners, so prospective keepers should discuss their experience and options with a bird-experienced veterinarian.
Should I find an avian veterinarian before buying a parrot?
Yes. The AVMA recommends finding a veterinarian who regularly sees birds and asking for advice on a species that suits your lifestyle; doing so before acquisition also helps you plan for ongoing care.
Can ostriches or emus be kept as pets?
The cited sources discuss ratites in farm, wildlife, or zoo contexts, not as companion-bird recommendations. Their size alone makes them a fundamentally different consideration from keeping a parrot in a household.
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Which large parrot lives the longest?
Published ranges differ by source and species. The MSD Veterinary Manual gives macaws 30–60 years, cockatoos 25–50 years, Amazons 40–50 years, and African greys 30–50 years. VCA gives large macaws an average range of 50–60 years and notes reported cases over 90; these figures are not a promise for an individual bird.
Which large pet bird is the loudest?
The sources describe macaws as loud, most Amazons as loud, and cockatoos as capable of screaming loudly. They do not establish a universal ranking, and an individual bird may not match a broad group description.
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What size cage does a large parrot need?
VCA suggests 3 ft × 3 ft × 4 ft for African greys and Amazons, 4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft for large cockatoos, and 4 ft × 5 ft × 5 ft for large macaws. These are starting guidance, not a universal specification; VCA says bigger is generally better.
What should a large parrot eat?
The UC Davis California Veterinary Emergency Team guide lists pellets, vegetables, and fruit for adult parrots larger than conures and cockatiels. Consult an avian or exotics veterinarian for an individual feeding plan rather than assuming one pellet brand or formula suits every bird.
Where can I find a large parrot?
The AVMA says a reputable breeder is often the best source and also suggests asking rescue groups, bird clubs, and avian veterinarians for recommendations. It warns against buying a bird sight unseen online. Check current local laws and conservation restrictions for the species and location.
The Bottom Line
Choose a large parrot only after weighing its daily social needs, noise, housing, diet, veterinary access, and decades-long lifespan against your household’s time and resources. Compare species by fit rather than appearance, confirm local requirements, and talk with a bird-experienced veterinarian before acquisition. Ostriches and emus are ratites, not household companion birds.
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