Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

How much does a bird cost, and what’s the most expensive bird?

Rebekkah Adams
By

Pets cost money. It’s a fact we all have to acknowledge before leaping into ownership, and it seems like the amount we’re required to spend goes up every year. Even for birds, there are charges beyond buying your little guy — cages, accessories, food, and vet visits — to name a few. Before you take the leap of bringing home a feathered friend, set a realistic bird budget, including putting some aside for incidentals. So, how much do birds cost? Here are the details. 

Two parrots sit affectionately with each other
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How much money does it cost to buy a bird?

In the case of some avian species, upfront fees can get really high. A hyacinth macaw, arguably the most beautiful but also the biggest, will set you back $10,000, and that’s not including his cage, which will almost certainly need to be custom-made. But most birds will go for way below that price tag. You can also look into local adoption and rescue opportunities, which cost little or nothing at all. Try to get a pet that’s a few years old, and you’ll still have him for decades to come since so many parrots live quite a long time.

Recommended Videos

What’s the cheapest pet bird to buy?

Budgies are a great starter bird, and they typically cost just a few dollars to bring home. Always research your breeder or pet store carefully since you want a hand-raised, healthy animal, but you should need to spend only $20 or so on this species (per bird, though pairs sometimes come together for a lower cost). Canaries and cockatiels come in at only under $100 in most cases. All these beautiful creatures have a lot less sticker shock but also cost less to keep overall and make great beginner birds. Stick with the littler animals if you don’t think you can shell out the big bucks.

Man with yellow bird on shoulder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How much do birds that talk cost?

None of the smaller parrots or finches talk (or at least not well), so you’ll need to spend a lot more to bring home a friend to converse with. African grays, who speak the best out of all birds, should be $1,000 at minimum. (Note: If you find an animal that’s too cheap and it’s not a rescue, look quite closely to make sure it wasn’t obtained illegally.) Macaws, like the classic scarlet or blue and gold, will be about the same, though in this case, you’re paying for their vibrant colors as much as their speaking abilities. Premium breeders will charge on the high end, but it can be worth it since the birds will be better trained and better talkers (if you want a chatterbox).

As mentioned, in all these cases, the initial price will make up only a fraction of the bird’s lifetime care fees. You should plan to buy the cage, perches, toys, food, dishes, travel carrier, and cleaning supplies before you go bird shopping. After that, you’ll need to replenish food frequently and replace accessories as needed. Don’t forget vet expenses, either. Lastly, if you have a mated pair, you might wind up expanding your flock down the line. Be ready to care for babies if you should be so lucky. Altogether, for a parakeet or canary, you’ll want to budget about $2,000 to $3,000 over the course of their lifetime. A bigger parrot will make it closer to $500 to $1,000 per year, and they can reach age 50. Yes, that means you could spend $50,000 on a large parrot if he gets a long life. Keep that top of mind when thinking about whether to get a bird and make sure you have enough socked away for surprise costs like vet emergency visits.

Part of what makes birds so expensive is that they live many years, so the cost per year is multiplied by decades instead of the 10 or so you would get with a large dog. Thus, while the upfront price will be low in the case of budgies, they occasionally live 30 years and produce numerous offspring. On top of the financial impact, birds need a surprising amount of time and attention since they’re so smart and sociable. Be sure to keep all of these factors in mind when determining whether a gorgeous singer will fit into your budget and lifestyle.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Certain colors may scare your bird – these are the ones to avoid
Here are the right and wrong colors for your pet bird's mood
Scared parrot squawks

Have you noticed that your bird responds differently to different colors and might even be startled by certain shades? Birds across the globe come in all colors — it’s one of the delights of birdwatching. In the home, parakeets, parrots, and canaries are well known for their beautiful plumage, another appealing aspect of owning these pets. But nature has given our feathered friends an instinct to perceive particular bright colors as a threat and thus avoid them. With careful observation and a little planning, you can avoid upsetting your bird with specific hues.

Why are birds attracted to certain colors?
There are probably a few reasons birds seem attracted to certain colors. Many birds eat fruit and the nectar of flowers and are therefore inclined to the colors associated with them. That’s why hummingbirds and others go for the bright, beautiful flowers in our yards (or the feeders designed to mimic them). In addition, pretty feathers aren’t just attractive to you but are also intended to help birds procure mates. On the other hand, birds in the wild might display color patches as a warning, which may lead fellow birds to fear some colors.
What colors are birds afraid of?
Many bird owners swear that their bird is afraid of red, and there’s probably some truth to that. Just as we take red to mean caution, so too, do some birds, who may view it with trepidation. If your bird finds red scary, try to minimize its presence around your birdcage or play area. 

Read more
Why do birds fly into windows? The truth is kind of sad
There's a lot you can do to keep neighborhood birds from flying into windows
Bird takes flight off a branch in slow motion

Watching birds from the windows is one of the many perks of living near wildlife: we can stay warm and gaze out on the flocks that frequent our feeders. But sadly, these windows that allow us to view the outdoors can harm the creatures in it. Animals experience the world differently from us, and they see differently, too. Therefore, it's important to take steps to make your windows visible to birds (and other fauna) in order to help spare them from unnecessary death or injury. But why do birds fly into windows? We'll explain what the problem is and also give you some advice on how to prevent it. With a few simple tricks, you'll still get to enjoy the bird show and keep them from getting hurt. 

Why do birds fly into windows?
Turn off the lights inside and go out during the early morning to look at your windows. You'll likely see a dim version of your own yard reflected back to you. While it only gives you a moment's pause, birds don't understand that a plant can show up in a piece of glass but not really be there. Unfortunately, this means when they fly into your windows, they're actually trying to get into the trees. That's because there's a wide-open sky in the panes of your home welcoming the avians of your area.

Read more
Try out these 6 different kinds of best bird feeders to attract your feathered friends
House finch eats at nyger feeder

Bird feeders come in multiple shapes and sizes because birds do, too. Each feeder accommodates a different feeding style, and many are enticing to a particular species. Before setting up your feeders, think first about what kinds of flyers you want to attract — and which ones are likely to oblige. Then, once you have a good bird-watching list, scout out the right locations and the best feeders to attract them. You can put out all these for the widest array of visitors or focus on a few types and get the best setup for just those eaters. Here are the six best bird feeders and what feathered friends you'll probably see feeding at them.

What are the different types of bird feeders?
You probably have a bunch of different dishes in your home — plates, bowls, maybe a gravy boat. Our avian guests have the same needs. After all, some birds eat seeds, some animal fat, some flowers, and some nectar. Take a look through these top types and figure out which one — or ones — belong in your yard.
Hummingbird feeders
Putting up a hummingbird feeder all but ensures you'll add a splash of color to your life. This one will bring in gorgeous birds and look nice in the window. Of course, the drawback is that you need to clean it often by hand. Don't worry: A little soap and water will do the trick, and its glass construction means it will last a long time. Feeding hummingbirds saves your wallet, too, since you can make all the food yourself. Boil 1 part sugar and 4 parts water to create this concoction and refrigerate any left over right away. It'll take your neighborhood birds a minute to find their new restaurant, but once they've discovered it (and given a rave review to their friends), you'll never run out of visitors, provided you keep the food flowing. 
Hopper feeders
This is a classic bird feeder that adorns nearly every yard at one time or another. You'll get large birds — and probably large squirrels — as regulars at this one. Try hanging it from a strategic spot or mounting it on a pole to avoid squirrels, but that might be a losing battle. Instead, focus on attracting the birds you do like with the proper seed for them (don't forget to keep it full). We suspect you'll spot a menagerie here, especially jays and cardinals since it's welcoming to bigger animals. Unlike the hummingbird feeder, you won't bring this one indoors often, and should make sure it's reachable by hose or bucket for proper cleaning. 
Tube feeders
The smaller birds of the community will thank you for this tube feeder, as the little perches and openings go well with tiny feet and beaks. Watch for a mix of sparrows, chickadees, and titmice who enjoy having a spot of their own, and look at purchasing a blend that encourages them. However, a small feeder means you have to fill it regularly. It might take a few weeks, but you should get an idea of how often the birds start begging for a refill. Finding a spot can prove tricky because you never know when the guests of honor will alight on the other side. Place it between windows to best see every angle. 

Read more