Parrots, or psittacines, are a broad order of more than 350 birds. These birds are more popular than their other feathered friends because they are affectionate, companionable, intelligent, and amusing. As such, these birds make excellent pets.
But how much is a parrot? A parrot can cost anywhere from $10 to a thousand dollars. The prices change based on the species type, breeding mode, age, and bird size. For example, the African Gray species, which is larger, costs between $500 and $4,000. Meanwhile, a cockatiel, which is smaller, costs $100 to $300.
So then, how much does the best-talking parrot cost? Stay right here to learn more about these birds and what affects their price tag.
How Much Does A Parrot Cost?
The cost of a parrot ranges anywhere from ten to thousands of dollars for the bird alone. These prices vary based on various factors, such as species, age, breeder, and location. Here is a table with the estimated costs for common parrot species:
| Type of Parrot | Estimated Cost |
| African Gray Parrot | $500 – $4,000 |
| Cockatiel | $100 – $300 |
| Amazon Parrot | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Budgerigar | $10 – $40 |
| Cockatoos | $1,000 – $40,000 |
| Lovebirds | $20 – $200 |
| Parrotlets | $100 – $300 |
| Macaws | $1,000 – $18,000 |
| Senegal Parrot | $600 – $2,500 |
| Conures | $200 – $800 |
Let’s now look at the cost of these birds in detail.
African Gray Parrot
This is a medium-sized bird known for its extreme intelligence and being one of the best talkers. As such, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $4,000 for this bird in the US and Canada.
The price varies slightly depending on the subspecies of the bird. Generally, the Congo African Grey subspecies is relatively more expensive than the Timneh African Grey.
Cockatiel
The cockatiel is a small bird that can cost as little as $100 and as high as $300. These species are more affordable than other parrots because they are more common, easy to breed, and abundant.
Amazon Parrot
The Amazon parrot is a medium-sized and intelligent bird with excellent talking ability. Unlike cockatiels, this bird is not familiar. As such, a well-weaned and socialized bird may cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
Budgerigar
Budgerigar, also called the common parakeet, is a small and sought-after bird like the cockatiel. Because of the small size, this bird’s price ranges between $10 and $40. This depends on whether you buy from the breeder, pet store, or rescue center.
Cockatoos
These are medium-to-large-sized parrots native to Australia. Generally, the average cost of common cockatoo types ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 for a single bird. However, some types of cockatoos, like the red-tailed black and yellow-crested cockatoos can cost between $7,500 and $40,000 in the United States.
Lovebirds
These are among the smallest parrots. And because of their small size and minimal talking ability, the average cost of lovebirds ranges from $20 to $200.
Parrotlets
Compared to lovebirds, parrotlets are smaller. As such, their prices range anywhere from $100 to $350 for the most popular species, including the Pacific and Green-rumped parrotlet.
Macaws
These are the largest of the parrot species. However, what makes them more expensive is that they are strenuous to breed and costly to raise. Keeping this in mind, their prices range between $1,000 and $18,000, with the mini macaws being the most affordable.
Senegal Parrot
This small-to-medium-size bird is estimated to cost between $600 and $2,500. It is a bit on the expensive side because it is rarer to find than other parrots.
Conures
These are small-to-medium parrots commonly found in the Western Hemisphere. Their prices vary based on the availability of the birds, with the common species costing as low as $200. On the other hand, the rarest species may cost up to $800 or more.
How Much Does The Best Talking Parrot Cost?
While most parrot species can mimic human speech, some are more renowned for talking better than others. Typically, the common talking species include the African Gray, Amazon parrot, budgerigar, and Indian ringneck parakeet. So then, how much do these talking parrots cost?
Well, their prices range anywhere from $10 to $4,000. The Budgerigar is the cheapest, with a vocabulary of up to 500 words. Conversely, the African Gray is the most expensive talking bird, with a vocabulary of 950 words or more. The Indian ringneck can learn between 100 and 250 words, and its prices range from $400 to $1,500.
Any Other Additional Costs?
The cost of the bird is not the only fee you need to worry about. Other additional charges that come with owning a parrot include the following:
- Bird Cage and Accessories
Once you buy the bird, you will need a cage where it will spend most of its time. The price of a cage runs from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size.
You must also buy accessories like perches, ladders, swings, and other toys to keep your bird entertained. These accessories cost between $2 and $50 each.
- Food and Treats
You also have to incur the cost of your bird’s food. These birds require a balanced diet comprising seeds, pellets, vegetables, and fresh fruits. In this case, their prices may range between $25 and $100 per month, excluding the cost of fresh foods and treats.
- Medical Care
Before taking the parrot home, it must undergo an initial vet checkup. Besides the first checkup, your bird will require regular vet visits. These visits may cost between $50 and $300 or more annually.
- Insurance Coverage
If you have an expensive parrot like the African Gray or Macaw, you should get insurance coverage. These species can be very costly to treat in emergencies. The insurance coverage may cost between $5 and $100 per month.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Parrot
The cost of a parrot varies based on several factors, like size, age, and species type. Here is the role each factor plays.
- Size and Age
Typically, larger birds, such as the macaw and African Gray, are more expensive than their smaller counterparts, like lovebirds and parrotlets. On the other hand, mature birds are relatively pricier than younger ones since they have been trained and socialized.
- Species Type
Parrot species that are very common and plentiful are more affordable than rare and exotic species. This explains why budgerigars and cockatiels are cheaper than species like the Amazon and macaws.
- Breeding Locality
A parrot bred in captivity and hand-fed costs more than one captured in the wild. This is because birds bred in captivity bond faster, are easier to train, and are more affectionate.
- Purchase Locality
Generally, it is cheaper to buy a parrot from a pet store than from an expert breeder. However, it is more expensive to buy from a breeder than from parrot rescue organizations.
Where to Buy A Parrot?
One of the best places to buy a healthy and well-cared-for parrot is from a reputable breeder. You can meet breeders at bird shows. In addition, you could buy from trustworthy pet stores near you. They tend to be more affordable than buying from a breeder.
Alternatively, you can buy these bird species from rescue and shelter centers. Such centers usually have parrots for adoption that have been surrendered by their previous owners.
Conclusion
Parrots cost differently depending on the species type, size, breeding, and purchase location. The budgie is the cheapest, followed by lovebirds and parrotlets. On the other hand, macaws, cockatoos, amazon parrots, and African Gray tops the list of expensive birds.
That said, the best-talking parrot costs between $10 and $4,000. But besides the cost of the bird, there are other extra costs to worry about. These include the cost of the bird cage, accessories and toys, food, insurance coverage, and medical care. Now, if you plan to get a parrot, you could buy it from a breeder, pet store, or pet rescue center.
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Hello, this is Frank Swanson, the owner, and operator of Pet Info Hut. I created this website as a way to share my love of pets with the world. I have over 7 years of experience working with animals, and I have a passion for helping people care for their pets. I hope that you find my website useful and informative. Thanks for visiting!
