How Much Does a Parrot Cost? Price by Species 2026

It is one of the most searched questions in the bird world, and also one of the hardest to answer in a sentence: how much does a parrot cost? The honest answer is that it depends enormously on the species. A lovebird and a Hyacinth Macaw are both parrots, but one costs less than a nice dinner for two and the other costs more than a new car. This guide gives you the full picture in one place, with current 2026 prices for every popular species, the real cost of the first year and the long term costs of living with a bird that may be with you for decades.

Parrot prices at a glance

Parrot	Typical Price 2026	Typical Lifespan
Lovebird	$80 to $500	15 to 20 years
Cockatiel	$164.99 to $400	16 to 25 years
Parrotlet	$200 to $700	15 to 20 years
Green Cheek Conure	$275 to $1,200	20 to 30 years
Sun Conure	$500 to $850	20 to 25 years
Indian Ringneck	$300 to $1,200	25 to 30 years
Senegal Parrot	$500 to $1,000	25 to 35 years
Pionus Parrot	$700 to $1,600	25 to 40 years
Caique	$1,200 to $2,500	25 to 40 years
Eclectus Parrot	$1,800 to $3,500	30 to 50 years
Amazon Parrot	$1,500 to $3,500	40 to 60 years
African Grey (Congo)	$2,750 to $6,000	40 to 60 years
Cockatoo	$800 to $16,000	30 to 80 years
Macaw	$1,500 to $30,000	30 to 80 years

These are typical hand raised prices from a working US aviary. Where a species has a dedicated guide, the links below take you to the full breakdown.

Budget friendly parrots: $80 to $500

Lovebirds and cockatiels are the most affordable true parrots. Lovebirds are small, bold and colorful, while cockatiels are gentle, whistling companions with a famous crest. Both are excellent first birds for people who can commit to daily interaction. See our Lovebird price guide, Lovebird colors guide and Cockatiel colors and mutations guide.

Small and medium parrots: $275 to $1,600

Conures, Parrotlets, Senegals, Indian Ringnecks and Pionus Parrots sit in this range. They offer big personalities in manageable sizes. Our conure price guide compares every popular conure, and our guides to the Senegal Parrot, Indian Ringneck and Pionus Parrot cover the others.

Larger talkers and characters: $1,200 to $6,000

Caiques, Eclectus Parrots, Amazons and African Greys are the personality heavyweights. Greys are the most famous talkers, Amazons are theatrical and loud, Eclectus have the most extreme male and female color difference, and Caiques are the clowns of the parrot world. See our African Grey cost guide, Amazon Parrot cost guide, Eclectus Parrot guide and Caique guide.

Giants: cockatoos and macaws

Cockatoos and macaws offer the biggest presence, the longest lifespans and the widest price range. A Goffin Cockatoo or Hahn’s Macaw can start near $800 to $1,500, while a Palm Cockatoo or Hyacinth Macaw can cost $10,000 or far more. Our Cockatoo cost guide and Macaw cost guide cover every species, and our guides to the Palm Cockatoo and Hyacinth Macaw cover the two most expensive.

Why do parrot prices vary so much?

Species rarity. Species that few aviaries produce cost more.
Breeding difficulty. Some parrots lay only a few eggs a year, while others breed readily.
Hand raising time. Chicks are fed by hand for between 6 weeks and 30 weeks depending on species, which is real daily labor.
Color mutations. Rare colors take years of planned breeding to produce.
Testing and documentation. DNA sexing, disease testing and records all add cost for each bird.
Age. Fully weaned babies cost more than older birds because they bond so strongly to a new owner.

What is included in the price of a bird at Morphnests?

Every bird at Morphnests is hand raised from the start, socialized daily and weaned before it goes home. DNA sexing is available, birds are disease tested, and Mo stays reachable after the sale for questions about diet, behavior and settling in. The price pays for that care, and it is worth asking what is included wherever you choose to buy.

The real first year cost

Bird Size	Cage	Food and Toys	Vet and Emergency Fund	First Year Total
Small (lovebird, cockatiel)	$100 to $300	$170 to $390	$450 to $650	$720 to $1,340
Medium (conure, Senegal)	$250 to $600	$400 to $750	$700 to $1,000	$1,350 to $2,350
Large (Amazon, African Grey)	$500 to $1,200	$700 to $1,200	$1,250 to $1,600	$2,450 to $4,000
Giant (macaw, cockatoo)	$800 to $8,000	$900 to $4,700	$2,350 to $6,500	$4,050 to $19,200

These figures are estimates and vary with the species and your region, but they show why the purchase price is only part of the story.

Monthly and lifetime costs

Once you are set up, small parrots cost roughly $25 to $50 a month, medium parrots $50 to $100 and large parrots $100 to $300, plus a savings cushion for emergencies. Because parrots live a long time, the lifetime cost is substantial. A large parrot costing $150 a month over a 40 year lifespan adds up to $72,000 in ongoing care. See our parrot lifespan chart to plan for the species you are considering.

What does it cost to ship a parrot?

Shipping typically adds $150 to $1,000 depending on the size of the bird and the route. Birds travel via Delta Cargo, which is built for live animal transport, and arrive at your nearest hub airport. The full process is on our shipping page.

Parrots for sale: what to check before you buy

The bird is hand raised, fully weaned and eating a varied diet.
DNA sexing and disease testing are available and documented.
You can see recent photos and video of the exact bird.
You can speak directly with the person who raised it.
Support is available after the sale for questions about care.

Why the lowest price is not always the best value

A bird that costs a little less up front can cost much more in the long run if it was not weaned fully, has no health testing or comes with no support. A hand raised, tested, well socialized bird is easier to bond with, less likely to have costly health problems and far more likely to become a happy, long term companion. When you compare prices, compare what is included, not just the number.

Budgeting tips for a new parrot owner

Buy the cage and set up the room before the bird comes home, so you are not rushing.
Build an emergency fund equal to at least a month or two of bird costs, plus the vet visit you may need.
Plan for toy replacement, since chewing is natural and constant.
Choose a species whose noise level and space needs fit your home, since the wrong fit is the costliest mistake.

Which parrot fits your budget?

Under $500: lovebird, cockatiel or a Normal Green Cheek Conure.
$500 to $1,500: Sun Conure, Senegal, Meyer’s, Pionus or Indian Ringneck.
$1,500 to $3,500: Amazon, Eclectus, Caique or a Goffin Cockatoo.
$2,750 and above: African Grey, macaws and most cockatoos.

If you are not sure where to start, our guide to the easiest parrots for beginners and our advice on how to choose a reputable parrot breeder are good next steps.

Where to buy a parrot

Browse the full range in the shop, check the new born babies page, or contact Mo directly with questions. Buyers in Southern California can visit the aviary in person, and Texas buyers can have a bird shipped safely nationwide.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a parrot cost?

Parrots cost from about $80 for a lovebird to $30,000 for a Hyacinth Macaw in 2026, depending on species, color and age.

What is the cheapest parrot?

Lovebirds and cockatiels are the most affordable, starting around $80 to $165 for a hand raised baby.

What is the most expensive parrot?

The Hyacinth Macaw and the Palm Cockatoo are the most expensive commonly available parrots, at $10,000 to $30,000.

How much does it cost to keep a parrot each month?

Roughly $25 to $50 for small parrots, $50 to $100 for medium parrots and $100 to $300 for large parrots, plus an emergency fund.

Does a parrot’s color change its price?

Yes. Rare color mutations cost more, but color never changes personality, noise level or lifespan.

How much does it cost to ship a parrot?

Shipping typically adds $150 to $1,000 depending on the size of the bird and the route.