Costs of Parrot Ownership

We know of several different people who have decided to adopt a “rescue” bird simply because the sticker price of a bird from a breeder was so high. The reasoning goes that if they got a bird for free or even for a fraction of what a “new” bird would cost, they would have enough left over for the actual care of the bird, because that would be much less out of pocket. That may be true, in total, for some species. The real cost of owning a parrot, regardless of where it came from, can be quite shocking. Of course it depends on where you live, what kind of bird you have, and sometimes luck, but after doing a little unofficial research (aka, Google), one report on the costs of keeping birds noted that an owner of four budgies (also known as parakeets in the U.S.) spent $5,988 on her flock in 2013. Most of that money was spent at the vet’s office for routine annual exams and when one budgie got sick, for a total of $2,706 ($621 was for the ill bird). Kiplinger’s reported in 2023 that the cost for the first year of keeping a budgie would be $465, with an annual cost of $250 – but it should be noted that these figures do not account for unforeseen vet costs. Many people write budgies off as a beginner bird or less-than, but it could not be further from the truth: parakeets are parrots too, and need all of the things a larger parrot needs, including vet care.

Some of you are going to be saying to yourself, well, that’s not even close to what I spend on my birds – and fair enough. We are providing these numbers to give a general idea of the real cost of parrot ownership, based on providing a decent quality of life and for the person who is considering adding a bird to their family. It’s not a scare tactic, or a way to dissuade someone from adopting a bird, but rather a planning tool, because the price of a parrot is not indicative of the cost for care.

SMALL (S) birds – budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, parrotlets

MEDIUM (M) birds – most conures, lories and lorikeets, senegals, quakers, caiques

LARGE (L) birds – most cockatoos, Congo and Timneh African Greys, Amazons, Eclectus

EXTRA LARGE (XL) – most macaws, large cockatoos (like Moluccan)

CAGES: new, and what you can expect to pay for an appropriate used cage in good condition (most HARP parrots will not come with a cage)

S – $100-$300
M – $200-$800
L – $500-$900
XL – $900 - $2000+

FOOD: pellets, fresh food, and training treats for one month

S – $5-$30
M – $25-$60
L – $35-$70
XL – $50-$100+

TOYS and PERCHES: toys are necessary for both mental and physical health (monthly cost): destroying wood and/or paper toys gives your parrot something to do as well as wears down their beaks naturally, for example; most toys should be made of destructible materials and replaced/remade frequently; lower end costs reflect using materials to make your own safe toys

S – $10-$20
M – $15-$40
L – $40-$90
XL – $80-$150+

VETERINARY COSTS: most avian vets in our area charge the same amount for a well-bird exam regardless of size; an annual exam is a must, but it is hard to estimate the costs of emergency visits; expect to pay more for an avian vet than you would for care of a cat or dog

Well-bird exam: $45-$65
Emergency appointment (exam only): $50-$75
*Emergency treatment/surgery: $100-$1500+

*Note: last year, through another organization, we had a budgie that was injured by its cage mate, and required supportive care overnight – it was a relatively minor emergency, but important to save the bird’s life as it was in respiratory distress, and it cost around $165 total.

OTHER COSTS or items you may need to purchase, depending on your bird and the set up of your home:

• Steam cleaner – for floors around the birdcage, as well as cleaning the cage itself
• Power washer – makes cage cleanup much easier, particularly for larger cages and/or messier birds
• Travel carrier – this should really be included in the must haves, because you will need one on hand for travel to the vet, as well as for emergencies and general travel; if it is well ventilated, you can also use it to take your bird outside (weather permitting) for some good old sunshine (birds need it!)
• Lights – this is a somewhat controversial topic, as some lighting systems have been known to damage the eyesight of parrots, even when they are labeled “avian”; it is good to keep in mind, generally, that the eyesight of our captive birds is the same as for their wild relatives, and they see best in the bright light of the sun (which is much brighter than our homes, even on a cloudy day or through filtered sunlight); do your research and clear it with your experienced avian veterinarian before purchasing or installing
• Air purifier – nearly a requirement for powder down birds, like cockatoos, cockatiels, and African greys, but helpful for all species and the people who live with them
• Boarding/pet sitter – if you plan to leave your home overnight, you will need someone to take care of your bird; this might be a “free” cost if you can find a friend to trade services with, but be sure they keep the same standard of care as you would beforehand in any case
• Gram (kitchen) scale – another should-be requirement, because weighing your bird daily or at least weekly will give you a good indication far enough in advance that your bird needs to be seen by a vet; visually inspecting your bird will not tell you whether they are gaining or losing weight – and if you can see it, it is probably too late for the bird
• New pots and pans – replace any that have PFOAs, PFTEs, or Teflon, as it can kill parrots quickly; good alternatives are made from cast iron, uncoated stainless steel, or uncoated ceramic

Like so many things, it all adds up; going through this list, if you were able to stick to the bare minimum, the cost for a budgie for the first year would be around $325 – and it goes up from there. When considering adding a bird to your family, it is just as important that you are able to commit the financial resources as the social and emotional ones.

Updated April 26, 2024