How Much Does a Parrot Cost? Updated Parrot Price in 2022
People are drawn to parrots not only for their beauty and variety but also because it is exciting to have a pet that can be taught to talk in the same language as its caretaker. Many people also pick these birds because they figure a parrot is easy to care for, takes little time and is likely to cost less in the long run than a dog or cat. These people end up being disappointed because they didn’t understand the full extent of what it takes to care for a parrot.
Many times the birds end up having to be re-homed or they end up in rescues because the person can’t give the parrot what it needs. One of the best things someone can do before they purchase a pet parrot is to sit down and figure out just how much that bird is going to cost – in time and money. This article will help you discover the general answer to “How much is a parrot?”
Initial Cost of the Bird
There are over 370 types of parrots in existence, with new ones still being discovered. Only a few of these are commonly found as companion birds. Here we cover the parrot price of the most common birds.
Keep in mind that these prices will often depend not only on the size of your parrot but also where you purchase the bird. A private seller may have birds in the lower price range but a reputable breeder is likely to sell healthier parrots.
Cost isn’t always indicative of size. A larger parrot that is more common will come with a smaller price than a smaller bird that is rarer. Before buying any bird, take time to research what a healthy parrot looks and acts like.
Also be willing to ask about vet visits and be a bit cautious of any seller who isn’t willing to be open about where they get their birds treated. Keep in mind that these prices are only the parrot price. We will discuss the other costs in a minute. There are four size categories in the parrot family.
Updated Parrot Price in 2022
| Parrot Species | Price Range (USD) | Avg Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| African Gray Parrots | $1500 to $3000 | $2250 |
| Amazon parrots | $400 to $1000 | $700 |
| Caiques | $500 to $1500 | $1000 |
| Cockatiels | $125 to $200 | $162.5 |
| Eclectus | $600 to $2000 | $1300 |
| Hawk-Headed Parrots | $1400 to $2000 | $1700 |
| Large Cockatoos | $2500 to $3000 | $2750 |
| Large Parakeets | $80 to $150 | $115 |
| Large Conures | $500 to $700 | $600 |
| Lorikeets | $600 to $1000 | $800 |
| Lovebirds | $50 to $200 | $125 |
| Macaws | $1200 to $3500 | $2350 |
| Mini-Macaws | $750 to $1000 | $875 |
| Parrotlets | $200 to $350 | $275 |
| Pionus Parrots | $200 to $900 | $550 |
| Poicephalus | $1500 to $2000 | $1750 |
| Small Cockatoos | $100 to $2000 | $1050 |
| Small Parakeets | $15 to $80 | $47.5 |
| Small Conures | $200 to $450 | $325 |
Small Parrots Prices
1. Cockatiels Price– Cockatiels cost between $125 and $200 dollars, with the traditional yellow and green birds with orange cheeks being the least expensive.
2. Lovebirds Price – Lovebirds will cost you anywhere between $50 and $200 dollars each. These birds are often sold in pairs, which will see you spending one to four hundred dollars.
3. Small Parakeets Price– Parakeets are often called budgies. These are often the first choice for a bird and can run between $15 dollars for the common green birds to $80 dollars for the more exotic colors.
4. Parrotlets Price – Parrotlets are often seen as a “between” bird, not small like a parakeet but not large like other parrots. These cost $200 to $350 dollars.
Medium Parrots Prices
5. Caiques Price – Caiques are often difficult to find. These medium-sized parrots will run you $500 to $1500 dollars.
6. Small Conures Price – Small conures are one of the lesser-priced medium birds with a cost of $200 to $450 dollars.
7. Lorikeets Price – Lorikeets are a favorite of those with large aviaries because of their friendly nature and colorful feathers. Each bird costs anywhere from $600 to $1000 dollars.
8. Large Parakeets Price – Large Parakeets sell anywhere from $80 dollars up to $150 dollars.
9. Pionus Parrots Price – Pionus Parrots come in a wide variety of choices and this accounts for the wide price range. You can expect to pay between $200 and $900 dollars for each bird.
10. Poicephalus Price – Poicephalus is one of the hardest parrots to find. This rare bird will cost you between $1500 and $2000 dollars.
Large Parrots Prices
11. African Grays Price – African Grays are the second most popular of the large parrots. These sociable, intelligent birds are great talkers, which accounts for their popularity. They sell for between $1500 and $3000 dollars.
12. Amazon parrots Price – Amazon Parrots include the traditional “pirate” parrot. These birds are what many picture when you say the word parrot. At a cost of between $400 and $1000 dollars, they are some of the most affordable of the large birds.
13. Small Cockatoos Price – Small cockatoos run between $100 and $2000 dollars, with the young females fetching the highest price.
14. Large Conures Price – Large Conures sell for $500 to $700 dollars
15. Eclectus Price – Eclectus are another parrot that it is difficult to answer how much is a parrot because the price varies widely. Some of the more popular members of this family can be bought for as little as $600 dollars. The rarer members can see you paying upwards of $2000 dollars.
16. Hawk-Headed Parrots Price – Hawk-Headed Parrots aren’t often found as companion birds but those who are destined to become pets cost between $1400 and $2000 dollars each.
17. Mini-Macaws Price – Mini-Macaws cost anywhere from $750 to $1000 dollars. Like their larger cousins, they are popular among those who want a talking bird.
Extra-Large Parrots Prices
18. Large Cockatoos Price – Large cockatoos cost between $2500 and $3000 dollars but some of the rarer members of this breed can end up costing as much as $15,000 because they are so difficult to breed.
19. Macaws Price- Macaws are the most popular of the large companion parrots. These multi-colored beauties sell for $1200 to $3500 dollars.
Cost of Accessories
Every bird, even if given time to fly free within the home requires a cage or aviary that allows it a place to feel safe. Macaw Cages need to be large enough to allow your bird to expand its wings and not touch the cage sides. Because this area is the primary home of your bird, you want it to be comfortable and to also last as long as possible.
The higher priced cages are going to last the longest in general. You can expect to pay around 149 dollars for a decent, sturdy cage for a smaller parrot like a cockatiel and as much as 2000 dollars for a cage or aviary that will comfortably a home a large bird like a macaw. More expensive accommodations are available, but this is the average cost of a good-sized, well-constructed cage.
Next, your bird will need food and water dishes, perches for inside and outside the cage and toys to keep it entertained. You may also want to consider a bird harness if your bird is going to be spending time in a place where an open door or window may be available or it will be spending time outdoors in good weather. Depending on the size of your bird and how well-equipped you want to be to start out, you can expect to spend anywhere from fifty dollars to 1500 dollars.
Ongoing Expenses/Incidentals
In the wild, parrots have a widely diverse diet that consists of fruits, nuts, greens, and seeds. To keep your bird healthy, you will need to see that his diet consists of this variety. Most parrots require a good-quality pellet food, a seed and nut mix and a variety of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Smaller birds will see you spending around 25 dollars a month for food. Larger birds can cost ninety dollars a month to feed, depending on where you purchase their food.
In addition to a healthy diet, your bird will need at least an annual checkup with a vet. If your bird remains healthy, an annual visit will cost you around 150 to 200 dollars. If your bird should become ill, you could be looking at a couple of thousand dollars. You can prepare for these emergencies and yearly visits by purchasing bird health insurance. This will cost approximately 35 dollars a month.
This all works out to a cost of anywhere between 450 and 1200 a year for food and medical needs if you don’t opt for pet insurance. If you do, you can add an additional 400-500 dollars a year.
Final Thoughts
How much does a parrot cost? The initial cost is listed here. What isn’t taken into account is that the smaller parrots often live 20-25 years and many of the larger ones can live 60-80 years. It is easy to determine what it will cost you over a lifetime in the way of money, but if you are thinking of bringing a parrot into your home, there is another cost that can’t be determined by a money value, that of time. These are sociable animals that can’t simply be put into a cage and given food and water. They need regular interaction and some have even been known to die if neglected in this area.
You need to make sure you have both the dollar amount and the time amount needed to provide a healthy, entertaining environment for what is likely to be a lifetime companion. If you can do this, you will be honored with one of the most amazing housemates you have ever met.
