Parrot Rearing
Something that we are asked from time to time, how much does it cost to keep a parrot? People in general do not think about this, when buying a parrot. This does not come into thought until they have bought the parrot. However, we feel that this should be the first thing to think about if you want a parrot. Please take the information shared here into consideration when calculating the cost of owning and caring for a pet parrot.
Many people believe birds to be a low maintenance pet. Although the physical chores of cage cleaning and feeding can be dealt with in a short amount of time, the emotional requirements of a pet bird should involve several hours of your time every day.
The following information is intended to be used to get a general idea of the costs involved. (These costs maybe outdated)
A good-sized caged should cost from $250.00 for a Conure-sized cage to several thousands of dollars for a Macaw-sized cage.
Play gyms, tee-stands can range from $100.00 – $1,000.00
All parrots needs toys, which can range from $5.00 up to $100.00, but keep in mind many parrots like to destroy toys, so this is an on going expense.
If the parrot is going to be the cage for a period, with not a lot of out of the cage time, than you must think of getting a larger cage. However, if you plan to let the parrot out a lot, than the cage would not have to be as large. However, something to also to keep in mind. As a general rule of thumb, a cage measuring 3.5 to 4 wingspans wide, 2 to 3 wingspans deep and 2 to 2.5 wingspans wide should be offered as a MINIMUM requirement.
We are often asked what an appropriate sized cage for a Macaw is. Our response is, “1000 square miles”. As these complex and intelligent creatures were designed to fly up to 30 miles each day in search of food in the wild, there is no possible way for us to offer them an environment where they can fulfill their wild inheritance.
We suggest that although large cages can be purchased to house a parrot during unsupervised periods and at night that you offer your treasured friend as much time out of the cage as possible.
Monthly Expenses
| Macaw | Gray/Amazon | Conure | |
| Seed mix. Any mix will do and should make up one third of the total diet. | $15.00 – $20.00 | $10.00 – $15.00 | $8.00 – $12.00 |
| Pelleted diet. Get one your bird will eat and this will be one third of the total diet. | $20.00 – $30.00 | $15.00 – $25.00 | $10.00 – $20.00 |
| Fresh fruit and vegetables and other people food, also one third of the total diet. | $30.00 – $40.00 | $20.00 – $30.00 | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Toys | $30.00 – $50.00 | $20.00 – $30.00 | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Monthly Total | $95.00 – $140.00 | $65.00 – $100.00 | $48.00 – $82.00 |
| Annual Expenses | |||
| Macaw | Gray/Amazon | Conure | |
| Veterinary care | $100.00 – $250.00 | $100.00 – $250.00 | $100.00 – $250.00 |
| Emergency care* | $350.00 – $2,000.00 | $300.00 – $1,200.00 | $250.00 – $1,000.00 |
| Vacation boarding (10-day stay) | $250.00 | $150.00 | $100.00 |
| Annual Total | $700.00 – $2,500.00 | $550.00 – $1,600.00 | $450.00 – $1,350.00 |
Face this financial responsibility.
Properly caring for a parrot can cost you, and you should be prepared to spend, from $1,926.00 for a Conure to as much as $4,180.00 a year for a larger bird like a Macaw! If you want to adopt because you cannot afford to buy a parrot, you should think twice before getting into a situation where you cannot afford to take a sick bird to the vet.
Finally, can you afford the time required to keep your companion bird happy and mentally healthy?
Will you be able to include your bird in your life or will he or she sit alone in their cage while you are at your 10-hour a day job, at the beach or out with your friends for the weekend?
Will you be able to keep this sensitive being for the rest of your life? Can you imagine a reason that might require having to give up the bird? A marriage? Divorce? Children? Moving?
How will you find a responsible home for your feathered friend after you have gone? Remember, many of these birds can live for 100 years or more.
If your parrot matures into a bird that does not, live up to your expectations, will you remain committed to him or her for the rest of their life or will he or she be discarded or left alone in their cage?
Think very carefully about taking a parrot as a companion. The days of thinking of them as just animals are fading into the past as we learn more about the intelligence and emotions in their bird brains.
Some of these figures could be less or more depending on the type of parrot, you have. We feel that it is very important to consider everything before you go buy a parrot, or even adopt a parrot. Once we just thought these were animals, but this is not the case as we study more about them intelligence and emotions in their “bird brain”.
We feel that everyone needs to understand that these are not dogs, and cats. These wild animals are more like having a 3 to 5 year old child that stays that age for their life. However, if you feel that after reading this that you would like to buy or adopt a parrot. Start out small. Do not get the biggest parrot you can find. Research what you would like to get. Consider what you have read here. Although emergency or prolonged care may not be needed each year, you must be prepared.
Buying or adopting a parrot is a life long commitment.
