The chances are that if you are reading this, then you are about to buy your first parrot. And if you just look at how much is a parrot by itself and don’t factor in all other living expenses, you can be significantly misled about the actual cost of ownership.
These birds are, of course, very diverse, and you can find parrots of all different sizes. The smallest parrots are about 3.5 inches (8.7cm) in height from head to tail and weigh around 2.25 oz. (64g). The largest parrots can get as big as 40 inches (100cm) in height and weigh 56 oz. (1.6kg).
Parrots require a lot of care, and you will need to spend money on their toys, cage, and other accessories to ensure that they have a good quality of life. You will also have to account for regular vet visits.
Let’s look at how much the accessories and other essential items will cost for parrots of different sizes.
Table of Contents
Initial Costs of Different Parrots
These are the costs you will have to make when you get your first parrot. And they vary greatly depending on the size of the parrot.
Let’s take a look at the different factors
1. Cage
Before you even buy a parrot, you will obviously need to buy a cage for it. A small cage can cost around 100USD, with larger cages easily costing more than 300USD.
2. Perch
Perches that come pre-installed with cages generally aren’t ideal for birds as they are not appropriately designed. A good nest should have variations in width so your bird can spread its weight out on a larger perching area.
A decent perch will cost at least 6 USD. And depending on the size of your cage, you may need multiple perches.
3. Toys
Parrots love to play with their toys, and they also get bored of them quickly. Parrots love to destroy their toys, so you will also need to keep replacing them. Ideally, you should have more than 5 toys for your parrot so that you can keep it occupied.
The cheapest toys for small parrots cost about 5USD and can easily exceed 20USD.
4. Food
The cost of food can vary significantly based on the type of feed you provide to your bird as well as the size of your bird, both of which are factors to consider.
The cheapest feed costs around 10USD and can last somewhere between 1–2 months for small parrots.
5. UV Light
A UV Light source is significant for a parrot that lives indoors. A good UV light source costs around 100USD.
These are all the different factors that will change depending on the size of your bird. Now that you have a general notion of how much it costs to keep a parrot let’s look at how much a parrot is worth in and of itself.
How much is a parrot? Costs Of Different Parrots
We shall divide this list into three categories for the sake of simplicity and readability. Namely, small, medium, and large.
Keep in mind that individual parrot species have a lot of variety in them. For example, the cheapest Budgie costs the only 15USD but a more expensive type can cost as much as 100USD.
Small Parrots
Small parrots include birds like Budgies, Cockatiels, and Lovebirds, just to name a few. Naturally, these birds are the cheapest to buy and maintain, so if you don’t want to spend a lot, you should get a smaller bird.
1. Budgies
Budgies, also known as Parakeets, are the cheapest parrots that you can get, and they start from 15USD. More expensive budgies can go up to 100USD as well.
2. Lovebirds
Lovebirds are usually sold in pairs because they need a lot of attention and love. These birds can cost anywhere between 50USD to 200USD.
3. Small Cockatiels
Cockatiels are very smart and love to be around people. These little guys will make a powerful bond with their humans and will love to follow you around everywhere. Cockatiels cost between 50USD to 200+USD.
4. Parrotlets
Parrotlets are a bit expensive for a small parrot. These little guys are quite assertive and bonding. If a Parrotlet has bonded with someone, it can be very possessive. Parrotlets cost between 200USD to more than 400USD.
5. Painted Conure
These birds are energetic and are very well socialized. They also have beautiful coloring on their feathers. Painted conures start from 125USD.
Medium Parrots
Medium-sized parrots include birds like Lorikeets, Caiques, Pionus parrots, and more.
1. Lorikeets
Lorikeets are very inquisitive and playful. You will find these guys swinging around in their cages and performing other comical activities. Lorikeets cost between 600USD to up to 1000USD.
2. Caiques
Caiques are high-energy birds. They love to surf, roll, and rub on their humans to show affection. They are also inquisitive birds and love to explore. Caiques can start from 500USD and go up to 1500USD.
3. Conure Parrots
Conures are very bold and will not shy away from new people. They are playful but can be a little loud at times. Conures start from 500USD, and the rarer varieties can easily exceed 1000USD.
4. Large Parakeets
Just like small Parakeets, these are gentle birds and prefer a more relaxed lifestyle. Large Parakeets can cost anywhere between 80USD to 150USD.
5. Poicephalus
Poicephalus are not the most playful birds. They are affectionate but just have a different way of showing their affection. These birds are also rare, so they are quite expensive. Poicephalus start from 1500USD and can go up to 2000USD.
Large Parrots
These birds can be very expensive to maintain. Large parrots include birds like African Greys, Hawk-Headed Parrots, Macaws, and Large Cockatoos.
Hyacinth Macaw is the world’s most giant parrot, and it has a wingspan of 4 feet.
1. Macaws
Macaws are very affectionate but shy birds; they only show affection with people they trust. These massive parrots can cost anywhere between 1200USD to more than 3000USD, with the Hyacinth Macaw costing over 10,000USD.
2. African Greys
African Greys are known to be the most intelligent parrots. As a result, these guys are very social and can make very strong bonds with their owners. African Greys sell for 1500USD to 3000USD.
3. Large Cockatoos
Large Cockatoos are just as affectionate as their smaller cousins. They are also very expensive. The rarest breeds can cost more than 10,000USD.
Most Large Cockatoos sell for a much more reasonable 2500USD to 3000USD.
4. Hawk-Headed Parrots
These guys are very similar to Conures. They are playful and love to go outside. Hawk-Headed Parrots can cost between 1400USD to 2000USD.
Now if you own a parrot and would like to feed greens then check on this Can Parrots Eat Asparagus?
FAQ
How much do parrots usually cost?
A normal pet parrot might cost anywhere from $150 to $2,000, depending on the type and the purpose for which you intend to keep them.
For example, budgies (also known as “budgies”) are one of the cheapest parrots to raise, with a price tag of around $150. However, if you want a larger bird – such as a macaw – you will have to pay more for food, room, and other necessities, with macaws costing approximately $2,000.
What Is The Cheapest Bird To Buy?
The Budgerigar is a popular talking bird that can communicate in a variety of languages. It is the most affordable of the birds that can communicate.
Budgerigars are excellent pets since they are intelligent and can learn a variety of expressions and words. Parakeets may be purchased for less than $100, and they can sometimes be found for even less.
Australian King Parrots are another low-cost option for individuals seeking for a talking parrot. They are also known for their intelligence. Cockatiels require the attention of their owners in order to be sociable. Prices range between $50 and $100.
What Is The Friendliest Parrot For A Pet?
Budgerigars are the most sociable parrots to keep as a pet. Budgies (also known as parakeets) are among the most popular pet birds all over the globe, and for good reason: they make excellent companions. Depending on how well they are cared for, these birds may be quite loving and sociable.
Is A Parrot A Good Pet?
While many parrot species get along well with respecting children and may make wonderful family pets, they are not appropriate as a kid’s pet because of their projected life expectancy and the amount of care they require.
Parrots demand continuous day-to-day care and attention, and they live far longer lives than the majority of other animals.
Which Parrot Does Not Bite?
Budgies (also known as parakeets) are a wonderful alternative for people who desire a friendly feathery companion to cuddle with. While they may bite when they are agitated, their small beaks are unable of causing much damage to the environment.
Furthermore, with good teaching and management, budgie bites may be reduced to a very rare occurrence. These gregarious birds like spending time with their keepers and taking part in activities such as playing with toys or even learning to communicate.
Some parrots are not aggressive, but all must be supervised closely when they’re around small children or other animals.
