Bringing a pet bird into your home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to consider how much cleaning and maintenance they will require. Some bird species are naturally tidier, while others can be quite messy, leaving feathers, food, and droppings all over the place. If you prefer to keep your home clean and organized, choosing the right bird can make all the difference. Let’s explore 7 of the worst pet birds for a tidy home, as well as 7 species that are great for maintaining cleanliness.

1. Cockatoos

Cockatoos are beautiful birds with stunning plumage and charming personalities, making them popular among bird lovers. However, they can be a nightmare for anyone who values a tidy home. These birds shed feathers constantly, and their powder can coat every surface, leading to a mess that’s hard to keep up with. If you’re looking for a bird that won’t leave a trail of feathers, a cockatoo might not be the right choice. Their high energy also means their cages require regular cleaning, adding to the mess they create.

2. Macaws

Macaws are large, strikingly beautiful birds that can be incredible companions. However, they come with a significant drawback: they’re incredibly messy. Their large size requires spacious cages, and their habit of scattering food everywhere can lead to constant clean-up. Macaws also love to chew on anything they can find, so you may discover bits of wood, paper, and other materials scattered throughout your home. If you’re someone who prioritizes cleanliness, managing a macaw might prove to be more challenging than you expect.

3. African Grey Parrots

African Grey Parrots are renowned for their exceptional intelligence and ability to mimic human speech, making them one of the most fascinating pet birds. However, this intelligence often comes with high-maintenance needs. These birds are known to be picky eaters, frequently scattering food and creating a mess during mealtimes. Their feathers also shed regularly, requiring constant cleanup to maintain a tidy space. If you value a clean home, you may find African Greys challenging to care for due to their messiness and demanding nature, despite their captivating personalities.

4. Budgies (Parakeets)

Budgies are beloved for their friendly nature, colorful appearance, and ability to mimic sounds, making them a popular choice for pet owners. Although they’re small, they can still be surprisingly messy. Budgies have a habit of scattering food and seeds around their cages, which often spills onto the surrounding area. They also enjoy chewing on various objects, leaving small bits of debris behind. Additionally, their feathers molt regularly, adding to the cleanup required. While budgies are delightful companions, their maintenance can be a challenge if you prefer a tidy home.

5. Lovebirds

Lovebirds are small, vibrant, and full of charm, making them a favorite among bird enthusiasts. However, their lively and playful nature often leads to significant messes. These birds have a habit of scattering food across their cage and the surrounding area, creating extra cleanup work. They also produce frequent droppings and enjoy chewing on household items, which can leave behind noticeable marks and debris. While their affectionate personalities are hard to resist, keeping your environment tidy can be challenging when caring for lovebirds. 

6. Cockatiels

Cockatiels are beloved for their playful, friendly nature and are a favorite among bird enthusiasts. However, they can be quite messy, and their habits go beyond shedding feathers. These lively birds love to fly around, often leaving droppings wherever they go. Their curious nature also leads them to chew on household items, which can result in damaged furniture and scattered debris. Additionally, cockatiels molt frequently, leaving feathers throughout your home. While their affectionate personalities make them endearing pets, maintaining a clean environment can be challenging.

7. Amazon Parrots

Amazon Parrots are beautiful and highly intelligent birds, but they are known for being messy. These birds are active and playful, which means they often scatter food around their cage. Their strong beaks and chewing habits can lead to destruction, as they may nibble on furniture and even household items. Additionally, Amazon Parrots are prolific molters, shedding feathers regularly. Their cages require frequent cleaning to keep up with the mess they make, and their playful nature can sometimes lead to a chaotic home environment.

8. Finches

Finches are small, charming birds that make excellent pets for those who appreciate cleanliness and simplicity. These birds require little space and are far less likely to scatter their food compared to larger species. Their neat feathers don’t shed much, keeping your environment tidy. Additionally, finches are low-maintenance and easy to care for, making them ideal for those who want a pet that won’t create a mess. If a clean home is important to you, finches are an excellent, hassle-free choice.

9. Canary

Canaries are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a pet bird that doesn’t make a mess. Unlike many other birds, they don’t scatter food excessively, and their feathers are relatively clean, making them easier to maintain. These small, delightful birds are also known for their beautiful songs. With regular cage cleaning and a bit of attention, canaries help keep your home neat. They are perfect for those who want a bird companion without the hassle of constant cleanup. Canaries are low-maintenance and perfect for anyone who values cleanliness in their home.

10. Parrotlets

Parrotlets are small, intelligent birds that make ideal pets for those who value cleanliness and low-maintenance care. Unlike larger parrot species, they are much less messy, rarely scattering food or creating a mess. Their small size makes them easy to handle, and they bond well with their owners, providing companionship without the hassle. Parrotlets are quiet, tidy, and easy to clean up after, making them a perfect choice for anyone who wants a pet bird without compromising a neat home.

11. Doves

Doves are peaceful, gentle birds that make excellent pets, especially for those who prefer a tidy home. They’re relatively easy to care for and are less likely to make a mess compared to larger bird species. Doves don’t require much space, and their calm, quiet nature helps keep your environment serene. Their soft feathers don’t molt as frequently, and they don’t scatter food. With regular cage cleaning, doves make a low-maintenance, neat pet choice, perfect for anyone looking to maintain a clean, tidy home.

12. Pigeons

Pigeons are often overlooked as pets, but they can be surprisingly tidy and low-maintenance. These gentle birds tend to keep their living space neat, rarely scattering food or creating excessive mess. Taking care of a pigeon is easy as they are calm and independent and need less attention than most bird species. With regular cage cleaning and proper care, pigeons can be an excellent, low-maintenance choice for you if you’re looking for a clean and hassle-free bird companion. Their quiet demeanor and manageable upkeep make them an ideal pet for those who want a bird without the mess.

13. Eclectus Parrots

Eclectus Parrots are a beautiful and intelligent species that are surprisingly tidy for their size. Unlike many larger parrots, they don’t scatter food all over, and their feather dust is minimal. If you’re looking for a bird that’s both engaging and neat, the Eclectus Parrot could be perfect for you. They enjoy social interaction and can be trained to maintain a clean living space. With regular care, your Eclectus Parrot will be a low-mess, high-companion pet, offering joy without the constant clean-up.

14. Bourke’s Parakeet

Bourke’s Parakeets are a great choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance bird that won’t create a mess. These small, gentle birds are not known for excessive food scattering or debris. They tend to eat neatly and don’t produce as much feather dust as other parakeet species. Their calm temperament and quiet nature make them ideal for those who appreciate peace and cleanliness in their home. Bourke’s Parakeets are relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal cleaning compared to other birds.