How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost

African Grey Parrots are a favorite among bird lovers because they are incredibly intelligent and amusing. They also have a striking appearance that makes them stand out from the crowd.

Like many other exotic birds, African Grey Parrots are expensive. If you get an African Grey Parrot, you have to be prepared for a lifetime financial commitment. They cost around $800 to $4,000 to purchase, and the monthly costs can be $235 or more.

Ask any current African Grey Parrot owner, and they will tell you that the price is well worth it for these intelligent, graceful, and curious creatures. Below, we’ll examine the costs associated with how much does an African grey Parrot cost ownership.

 

Bringing Home a New African Grey Parrot: One-Time Costs

Whenever you first get the African Grey Parrot, there are several one-time costs you will have to pay for. The first year of ownership is the most expensive because of these one-time costs. The bird will be the most expensive item on this list.

Free

If you are expecting to find an African Grey Parrot for free, we are sorry to inform you that this dream is not rooted in reality. It is next to impossible to find one for free. You can look online, but you will likely not find anything.

Adoption

You may be able to find a previously owned African Grey Parrot for adoption. People often buy one of these birds only to discover they do not have the resources or time to commit to it.

Adopting an African Grey Parrot is much more affordable than buying one from a breeder, but it can still be expensive. At least you are buying a parrot that needs a good home and is already accustomed to humans.

• See also: Macaw vs. African Grey: Which One Should You Choose? (With Pictures)

Breeder

If you want a best-in-class African Grey Parrot, you must buy one from a breeder. Breeder prices are more expensive, but they often offer free shipping, travel cages, and toys with the bird.

The exact price of the bird will depend on type, age, gender, etc., but an african grey parrots for sale will cost between $800 and $4,000.

Initial Setup and Supplies

In addition to the bird, you will need to set up their cage and home. We recommend buying a new parrot cage instead of a used one to avoid the spread of diseases (unless it was your bird’s cage from the previous owner). A good parrot cage for the African Grey Parrot costs around $120.

You must also buy accessories to go inside the cage, such as stainless-steel bowls, perches, and water bottles. If you import the parrot into the United States, you will have to pay an import permit fee, which can cost between $111 and $565.

You will likely have to pay for a health certificate as well. To do this, a veterinarian will have to perform an evaluation. The price of the health certificate will depend on the vet you go to.

• Related Read: How to Choose the Right Cage Size for African Greys

 

List of African Grey Parrot Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost Per Month?

Like any other pet, there are monthly expenses associated with how much does an African grey Parrot cost.

Luckily, they are not as expensive as dogs or cats to care for on a monthly basis. You only need to provide them food, entertainment, and health care if necessary.

The only time monthly expenses should be high is if your African Grey Parrot gets sick and requires veterinarian attention. It is for this reason we highly recommend exotic pet insurance.

Health Care

The key to a healthy African Grey Parrot is a healthy diet, physical stimulation, and mental stimulation. If you provide the right food and a clean cage, the African Grey Parrot should be healthy.

However, you do need to take the bird to an exotic animal vet for an annual checkup. In a best-case scenario, you should only pay between $100 and $250 a year for your parrot’s health care. You shouldn’t have to pay for it monthly unless they are sick.

Food

The obvious monthly expense is the African Grey Parrot’s food. The average monthly grocery bill is between $45 and $70. This is about the same price as feeding a cat or dog per month, maybe less for larger dog breeds.

About 80% of your parrot’s diet should come from pellets. The remaining 20% should come from fruits and vegetables for treats and vitamins. Occasionally, you can feed grains, seeds, and nuts.

Medications and Vet Visits

If your African Grey Parrot gets sick, their veterinary care will be expensive. Emergency care for these birds typically costs between $300 and $1,200, depending on the illness.

Keep in mind that you have to pay for the individual vet visit as well. Most exotic vets charge between $100 and $250 for a single visit.

Pet Insurance

If you purchase an African Grey Parrot, we highly recommend pet insurance. It will likely cost between $200 and $400 a year. That comes out to about $20 to $40 a month.

You could also create a savings account for your parrot. This savings account will help out whenever your parrot gets injured, yet it doesn’t require you to pay an insurance company either. Either way, definitely have a backup for when your bird gets sick!

Entertainment

One significant expense that you probably haven’t thought about is entertainment. African Grey Parrots are incredibly intelligent. As a result, they need entertainment to stay stimulated. If you do not provide enough mental stimulation, they can become depressed and destructive.

Unfortunately, the birds will likely destroy the toys while they’re playing with them. So, you will need to buy new parrot toys frequently. It is a large expense, but it is a necessary one.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning an African Grey Parrot

As you can see, owning an African Grey Parrot isn’t that much more expensive than owning a dog. In fact, it is likely more affordable. Assuming the parrot is healthy, you probably won’t pay more than $235 a month. However, prices skyrocket if the bird gets sick or injured.

Pet insurance is recommended for these birds because of the expensive veterinary bills. At the very least, open a savings account for a rainy day.

Additional Costs to Factor In

In addition to regular monthly prices, there are other expenses you need to think about. For example, you will need to board your bird whenever you go on vacation. If you are lucky, you may have a friend who knows how to care for your bird.

Owning an African Grey Parrot on a Budget

If you are on a tight budget, buying an African Grey Parrot may not be the best place to start. However, there are ways that you can save money during the original purchase.

For example, you can adopt a grown African Grey Parrot who needs to be rehomed. This is a great way to adopt a bird in need without paying a fortune. The original owner will most likely be more than happy to provide you with the bird’s cage and toys.

Saving Money on African Grey Parrot Care

Because owning an African Grey Parrot is already affordable, it is hard to cut the reduce your monthly costs. However, it can be more affordable if you are really diligent about shopping for sales.

For example, bird food is a considerable expense, but you can find coupons or deals to get food at more affordable prices. You can also compare grocery store prices for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Additionally, pet insurance is a must with a bird of this type. If the bird gets sick or injured, monthly prices skyrocket. Although paying a monthly bill may be annoying, it is the best way to protect yourself.

Size and Age

The age and size of an African grey parrot could influence their price. Juvenile African greys are usually slightly cheaper than the young adults who are fully grown. Older African greys around the 20-to-50-year mark will be more affordable than healthy young adult African grey parrots. This is mainly because there is no guarantee that an older African grey parrot will be free from any age-related health issues or live much longer.

Health

A healthy African grey parrot will naturally cost more than an unhealthy one. African grey parrots can suffer from common health problems like feather plucking and psittacosis. A sick African grey parrot can rack up expensive veterinary bills every month, which not everyone is ready for immediately.

Accessories

Expected cost: $40 to $120

You generally want to avoid keeping your African grey parrot in a boring and plain cage. It is a good idea to look at accessories like purchases and climbing ropes that can liven up their cage. An empty cage can be boring for African greys. However, one that is too cluttered can be overwhelming and unnecessarily take up space.

Toys

Expected cost: $20 to $40

African grey parrots can benefit from having toys in their cage. You do not need to choose the most lavish toys for them, as budget-friendly options are available. Most large chew toys marketed towards large parrots are suitable for African greys. They typically only cost a few dollars. Remember that the toys must be replaced when dirty or worn. This could make the toys a monthly cost.

Food and Water Bowls

Expected cost: $4 to $8

Your African grey parrot will need a quality food and water bowl to eat and drink from. The bowls should be large enough to accommodate your African grey parrot’s size and be made from a durable material. African grey parrots may chew through their food and water bowls, so it must be chew-proof and safe.

Stainless steel bowls are recommended for African grey parrots and are relatively easy to keep clean. If their cage is particularly large, you might need to invest in three or four bowls. This is so they can access water at various levels of their cage.

Cage liners

Expected costs: $15 to $38

The bottom of your African grey parrot’s cage should be lined with a safe, absorbent, and hygienic material. The cage liner will collect your African grey parrot droppings and fallen food while helping to control odor and make cleanup easier.

Veterinary Treatment

Like most pets, how much does an African grey Parrot cost should be taken to a veterinarian when sick, injured, or needing a health evaluation. The costs of taking your African grey parrot to the veterinarian can vary depending on what needs to be done.

If you only took your African grey parrot for a routine health check-up, you could expect to pay about $30 to $120. If your African grey parrot is sick or injured and needs costly surgeries, the costs could be up to $3,000. This excludes the costs of any medications your African grey parrot might need afterward.

Furthermore, African grey parrots might need their nails and beak trimmed to prevent them from becoming overgrown. This can cost around $20 to $50, excluding the appointment cost.

 

Final Thoughts

When buying an African Grey Parrot, expect to spend a lot of money initially. The bird can cost up to $4,000. Meanwhile, the other initial first-time expenses can cost up to $700.

Luckily, the monthly expenses for an African Grey Parrot are much more affordable. You will likely pay around $235 unless your bird gets sick. We recommend getting exotic pet insurance to reduce your veterinary expenses.

You can expect to spend a few hundred to a thousand dollars for a how much does an African grey Parrot cost without supplies or housing. Their cage and accessories costs will be about $150 to $800, with the bulk of the expenses being one-offs.

Monthly or ongoing how much does an African grey Parrot cost, such as toys and food, will be between $20 to $60. You will also need to keep money aside for a possible emergency veterinary bill that could cost a few thousand dollars.

The costs of routine health check-ups should also be considered before getting an African grey. All of these costs will be for the next 40 to 100 years of their life