Black-feathered birds are often considered to carry a lot of heavy messages with them, symbolizing death, sickness, or just bad news in general.
Many cultures and mythologies believe they are messengers who travel between the world of the living and the dead, bringing us messages of bad luck that are about to befall us.
But of course, they are not so!
There are many black-feathered birds that are as caring, affectionate, and fun-loving as their more vibrant brethren.
And so today, we are going to take an in-depth look at some of these black-feathered birds you can keep as pets, as well as the monthly and yearly costs of keeping them. Let’s dive right in!
Best Black Feathered Pet Birds
| Black Feathered Pet Birds | Monthly Cost Of Owning | Yearly Cost Of Owning |
| Black Lory | $35 – $85 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Raven | $50 – $100 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Black Finch | $40 | $300 – $500 |
| Australian Magpie | $80 – $100 | $800 – $1,000 |
| Vasa Parrot | $200 | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Common Blackbird | $100 | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| Keel-billed Toucan | $450 | $1,000 – $5,000+ |
| American Black Duck | $120 | $800 – $1,000 |
| Glossy Black Cockatoo | $200 – $400 | $800 – $1,500 |
Black Lory (Chalcopsitta atra)
Not only is this bird beautiful and majestic, but it is also one of the most sought-after birds to keep as pets, well-loved for their wonderful personality.
Unlike most of their cousins in the parrot family who are adorned with vibrant and bright colors, they sport an almost entirely black color overall, but it is no less gorgeous.
The brightest part of its body is a light yellow dusting on the underside of its body.
They are loved for their extremely social nature. They are gentle and friendly and have been considered one of the best birds to keep as a pet because of their fun-loving and playful personality.
But there are downsides, the main one being their noise levels.
They are, like their other cousins in the family, loud and shrill, especially when excited. But with a little training, they can surely be taught to be more articulate.
Raven (Corvus corax)
Perhaps one of the most popular black-feathered birds, ravens belong to the large family of Corvidae and are nothing like their depiction in popular media.
Gentle, social, and extremely intelligent, they make wonderful pets, though they do demand quite a bit of attention and care.
They also have the ability to mimic just as parrots do, and they are equally fun-loving birds. Even with their limited vocabulary, they make for great companions.
One thing to consider when keeping a raven is that it likes to have its space, so make sure to give them a big and roomy cage, with plenty of space to fly around.
If you have the ability to give them a lot of attention and interaction, they can be extremely rewarding pets, who will reciprocate your feelings in their own way.
Black Finch (Melanodera melanodera)
Though it appears to be fully black just like Black Lory, it has an array of shades of brown on its wings that give its plumage some dimension.
Native to New Guinea, black finches are 20 inches in height and weigh about 5 pounds.
Most astoundingly though they have a lifespan of about 55 years, so if you want a lifelong flying buddy, then the black finch is your answer.
They are quiet and affable creatures by nature and are perfect for those who cannot spend hours and millions on maintaining them.
Because of their routine preening, they rarely require a bath and get along really well not only with their owners but also with other pets they have as roommates.
They are pretty quiet and will spend most of their time inside the house, so make sure you get them a nice wide cage.
Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen)
Maybe the most stunning of this list of night-colored birds, the Australian magpie is a medium-sized, black, passerine bird native to Australia and parts of New Guinea.
Described as one of the most accomplished songbirds, they have a beautiful array of vocalizations that will impress even the most talented musicians.
They come up to a height of about 20 inches and weigh 5 pounds, and are omnivores who will eat up a variety of invertebrates.
They are a wonderful option to keep as pets because of their curious and inquisitive nature.
They are deeply social creatures with incredible intelligence and have proved to be fun-loving, engaging in a variety of playing behavior with their fellow magpie buddies.
Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis vasa)
Compared to the rest of their brethren, they are quiet birds with adorably heart-warming personalities.
What also sets them apart physically is their gorgeous plumage with dark and neutral shades traversing over another and an unusually long neck which gives them an elegant look.
They mainly inhabit dry deciduous forests throughout Madagascar and Comoros.
A bird lover’s favorite, they are friendly birds that warm the heart of anyone that makes them their acquaintance.
They are also extremely social creatures, showing affection and love to really anybody in their house.
They love to have all eyes set on them, and so are very funny birds, exhibiting much dramatic and over-the-top behavior just to get a giggle out of you and your family.
Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
The male blackbird is the star here, with its infamous all-black plumage, yellow eye-ring, and wonderfully melodious voice.
It is well-loved all over North America for its sweet melodies. They mainly inhabit land near water bodies and they breed in Eurasia, North Africa, and South Asia.
The key to a wonderful pet-human relationship with these birds is patience.
Though it will take a while to get close to you, a rough period of about 2 months, they are extremely affectionate and loyal once they have bonded with you.
So just persist with them as they get to know you and their new surroundings and soon enough you will have a wonderful relationship.
Keel-Billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Maybe the most colorful of the birds in this category, the keel-billed toucan is also referred to as the sulfur-breasted toucan because of the bright yellow plumage on its chest.
Other than that patch, it is black all over, with the exception of its wonderfully vibrant and colorful bill.
It is a very intelligent animal that can be taught fairly easily. They are incredibly friendly and active creatures, and need a fair amount of space to fly around.
They also require a lot of mental and physical stimulation with toys and games that will sharpen their mind.
Though taming them can take a while if it is done in a later phase of their life, they are extremely affectionate creatures once tamed and make loveable pets.
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
Inhabiting marshes, bays, ponds, rivers, and lakes, American black ducks sport a beautiful plumage that is a wonderful combination of black and white.
They get special crests when excited or agitated, and the females have a slight brown coloring around their necks.
Simultaneously calm yet active, they make wonderful pets because of their peaceful demeanor.
When handled with care, they bond very well with owners and keep that close and comfortable connection without losing their independence.
They adapt so well to their owners that within a year, they accept the owner as a part of their flock.
Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami)
The smallest of the cockatoo family, they stay true to their name and have a beautiful all-black plumage that shines brilliantly when the light hits it right.
But just because they are smaller does not mean they need less space, they still need plenty of space to fly and roam about as they are an investigative family of birds.
They are a great addition to any home and a wonderful source of amusement. Friendly and social, they are incredibly fun-loving creatures that light up any room they are in.
In Conclusion
So that was our comprehensive list of a few beautiful black-feathered pets that will serve as wonderful companions.
We hope we have helped you figure out what direction to take when making your search, and that we broaden your horizon on bird knowledge as well.
Thank you for reading!
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