7 Stunning White Pet Birds for Serious Avian Enthusiasts

These species stand out among other birds for their light coloration and unique care requirements.

Published March 14, 2023
Albino cockatiel eating vegetables

White birds are beautiful and wonderful pets. Many white birds are color variants within several species - and many are albino. While they can be beautiful, they require special care and attention, and some color morphs may be expensive or hard to find. You also need to make sure the bird you're considering matches your lifestyle. This guide to white pet birds should help you figure it out.

1. Albino Budgies

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Albino budgies - a color variant of regular budgerigar, also known as common parakeets - are white birds with no pigment and red eyes. They have a genetic mutation that makes them white, but it doesn't affect their hearing or sense of smell. Albino budgies can be fed the same diet as normal colored budgies, but they should also be given vitamin supplements twice a week to prevent blindness, which is common in albino animals.

Besides the minor dietary considerations, these albino birds are easy to keep, just like regular budgies. Just make sure you give them a proper diet, plenty of space, and a lot of enrichment, and they will thrive. Budgies do better in pairs, so consider getting two if you want a white budgie. Just remember to keep all albino birds out of direct sunlight.

Need to Know

Size: Small to medium, 5 to 10 inches long

Lifespan: 8 to 15 years

Personality: Gentle, outgoing, engaging

2. Albino Cockatiels

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Cockatiels are medium-sized, friendly birds that make great pets. They can be trained easily and will welcome attention from you when they're hungry or need to go outside. Cockatiels are also known for their ability to talk. Some have been documented as having over 400 phrases!

Albino cockatiels are white because of rare mutations in genes that control pigmentation. All albino birds are sensitive to light, so keep that in mind and make sure they aren't exposed to bright lights or sunlight. Cockatiels are active birds, so they need plenty of time outside their cage each day. If you're looking for a pet that can spend most of its time in a cage, this might not be the bird for you.

Need to Know

Size: Medium, 12 to 13 inches long

Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

Personality: Social, vocal, gentle, affectionate

3. White Doves

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Doves are long-lived and smart, but not as intelligent as parrots and some other birds. They require a lot of attention and care when young to ensure that they bond strongly with their owners. White doves can be hand-tamed if handled regularly from an early age, but this may take several months or even years, depending on how much time you spend with them.

It's important to provide your dove with plenty of stimulation so that it doesn't become bored or unhappy. They also enjoy playing with toys such as wooden bells or balls that rattle inside their cage when moved around by the bird's feet or beak. These toys help keep their minds active.

Need to Know

Size: Medium, 10 to 12 inches long

Lifespan: 10 to 20 years

Personality: Quiet, smart, social

4. White Zebra Finches

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Although they are less common, white Australian zebra finches can be found occasionally from breeders. They are very social with other finches, but do not like to be handled. These birds are for looking at and admiring only. If you try to pick them up and hold them, you can cause them stress.

Like all finches, the white zebra finch does not do well on its own. Instead, plan to keep a pair or a flock of finches. But don't worry, you can keep typically colored zebra finches with your white zebra!

Need to Know

Size: Small, 4 inches long

Lifespan: 5 to 7 years

Personality: Social, dislikes being handled, males sing enthusiastically

5. White Ringneck Parakeets

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Originally from India, ringneck parakeets come in a variety of colors. White birds are sometimes available, though they may be harder to find. You may have luck with breeders or by reaching out to your local pet specialty store.

White ringneck parakeets are similar to their multi-colored cousins. These are very social birds, and they need frequent enrichment and interaction to stay bonded to their owners. They are also talkative, and can be quite loud when they get going.

Need to Know

Size: Medium, 14½ to to 17 inches

Lifespan: 20 to 30 years

Personality: Sensitive, boisterous, social, high engagement

6. Little Corella Cockatoos

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The little Corella cockatoo's native range is found in Australia and New Guinea. They are members of the Cacatua genus, and are cousins of other cockatoo species. They have stunning white plumage, but don't get quite as big as some other, more popular cockatoos.

Although Corellas are a bit smaller, they are still high-maintenance birds. Like all cockatoos, they do well with a weekly bath. They are also highly social, and require a lot of time outside their cage every day. This is a bird for owners who have a lot of time to devote to their care.

Need to Know

Size: Medium, 14 to 15 inches long

Lifespan: 40 to 50 years

Personality: Very social, sensitive

7. White Cockatoos

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White cockatoos are among the most beautiful birds in the world, but they are also one of the most difficult to keep as pets. This is because they are extremely sensitive and require a lot of care and attention. They do not like to be handled by anyone other than their owners, and if you don't spend a lot of time with them every day, they will become depressed. They also have very specific feeding requirements that must be met in order for them to remain healthy.

White cockatoos are native to Australia, but they were once popular as pets around the world. They were imported from Australia and sold in pet stores all over North America, Europe, and Asia during the 1960s through the 1980s. However, many people found out too late just how difficult it was to keep these birds as pets. White cockatoos need plenty of space in which to fly around and exercise their wings, which makes them unsuitable for life in an apartment or small house with only one room available for your bird's cage. They also require a high level of care from their owners, which is something that many people don't have time for on a daily basis.

Need to Know

Size: Small, 5 to 6 inches long

Lifespan: 4 to 6 years

Personality: Social, but dislikes being handled, watch-only

Choosing a White Pet Bird

White birds can be very beautiful and make a wonderful addition to any home. However, there are some things that you should consider before buying a white bird as a pet. White birds also require special care. If the owner is not careful about their diet or environment, their feathers can become dull or even discolored from too much sun exposure or poor nutrition. In addition, white birds cannot tolerate extreme temperatures well and may need additional heating at nighttime or during cold weather conditions.

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7 Stunning White Pet Birds for Serious Avian Enthusiasts