LogoPet-1.png
BestForPets is reader-supported. Your purchases via our links may earn us an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our Affiliate Disclaimer

How Much Does An African Grey Parrot Cost? (Updated: )

African Grey Parrots are a popular among bird enthusiasts because to their extraordinary intelligence, which makes them very entertaining and brilliant. In addition, they have a remarkable look that distinguishes them from the throng.

Similar to many other exotic birds, African Grey Parrots are expensive, both initially and on a monthly basis. If you were to get an African Grey Parrot, you must be prepared to make this financial commitment for life.

Ask any current African Grey Parrot owner, and they will tell you that these clever, elegant, and inquisitive parrots are well worth the cost.

Let's examine all the costs related with owning an African Grey Parrot in "How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost? (Updated: %year%)" by BestForPets (bestforpets.org).

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

When you initially get an African Grey Parrot, there are a variety of one-time expenses you will incur. Because of these one-time expenses, the initial year of ownership is by far the most expensive. This list’s most costly item will be the bird.

Free

If you are looking for a free African Grey Parrot, we regret to inform you that this fantasy is not grounded in reality. These birds are quite tough to find for free. You can search online, but you will probably discover nothing.


Adoption

$500-$1,000

A previously owned African Grey Parrot may be available for adoption. People frequently purchase one of these birds only to discover they lack the necessary means or time to care for it.

Adopting an African Grey Parrot is far less expensive than purchasing one from a breeder, but the cost is still significant. At least you are purchasing a parrot that is already habituated to humans and in need of a nice home.


Breeder

$500-$4,000

If you want the greatest African Grey Parrot, you must get one from a breeder. Breeder pricing will be more, but they frequently provide free delivery, a travel cage, and accessories with the bird.

The actual cost of the bird may vary depending on its species, age, gender, etc., but an African Grey Parrot will cost between $500 and $4,000. Find a budget-friendly African Grey Parrot by shopping around.


Initial Install and Materials

$231-$700

In addition to the bird, you will also need to construct its cage and habitat. To prevent the transmission of disease, we recommend purchasing a new parrot cage rather than a used one (unless it was your bird’s cage from the prior owner). A quality parrot cage of suitable size for an African Grey Parrot costs around $120.

In addition to the cage, you must purchase bowls made of stainless steel, perches, wood, transportation, licenses, and permits.

If you are importing the parrot into the United States, you will also be required to pay an import permit charge, which can range from $111 to $565.

You may also be required to pay for a health certificate. To do this, a veterinarian must conduct an assessment. The cost of a health certificate depends on the veterinarian you see.

How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost Per Month?

$185 to $1,800 monthly

African Grey Parrots have monthly costs similar to those of any other pet.

The monthly cost of caring for these birds is thankfully less than that of dogs and cats. You are largely responsible for providing them with food, amusement, and, if required, medical care.

The only time monthly costs should be considerable is if your African Grey Parrot becomes ill and needs veterinary care. We strongly recommend exotic pet insurance for this reason.


Health Care

$0 to $250 monthly

A healthy African Grey Parrot requires a nutritious diet, physical and mental activity. If you supply the African Grey Parrot with the proper food and a clean cage, it should be healthy.

However, you must take the bird to an exotic animal veterinarian annually for a checkup. In an ideal situation, you should spend between $100 and $250 each year on your parrot’s medical treatment. Unless it is old or ill, you should not have to pay a monthly fee.


Food

$45-$70 monthly

The apparent monthly cost is the food for the African Grey Parrot. The typical monthly food costs for an African Grey Parrot range between $45 and $70. This is roughly equivalent to the monthly cost of feeding a cat or dog, or maybe less for larger dog breeds.

About 80 percent of your bird’s diet should consist of pellets. 20% of the remaining calories should come from fruits and vegetables as treats and sources of vitamins. On sometimes, you may feed your pet grains, seeds, and nuts.


Medications and Veterinary Exams

$100 to $1,450 monthly

Due to the rarity of African Grey Parrots, the cost of veterinary care may rise slightly if your pet becomes ill. Depending on the disease, emergency care for these birds often costs between $300 and $1,200.

Remember that you must also pay for the individual vet appointment. Most exotic animal veterinarians charge between $100 and $250 each appointment.


Pet Insurance

$20 to $40 monthly

If you spend the time and money to get an African Grey Parrot, pet insurance is strongly recommended. The annual expense will likely range between $200 and $400. This amounts to $20 to $40 every month.

Additionally, you may open a savings account for your parrot. This savings account will assist you in the event that your parrot is hurt, without requiring you to pay an insurance provider. Always have a backup plan for case your bird becomes ill!


Entertainment

$20 to $50 monthly

Entertainment is a significant expenditure that you have likely not considered. African Grey Parrots possess extraordinary intelligence. Therefore, they require amusement to be stimulated. If sufficient cerebral stimulation is not provided, these birds will become despondent and destructive.

Unfortunately, it is possible that the birds will damage the toys while playing with them. Therefore, you will need to often purchase new parrot toys. The expenditure is substantial, but essential.

List of African Grey Parrot Care Supplies and Costs

  • Permits: $111-$600
  • Cage: $120
  • Cage Setup Items: $20-$50
  • Transportable Cage: Often free with purchase of the bird; $80 otherwise
  • Food and Water Bowls: $10

Total Monthly Cost of Owning an African Grey Parrot

$185 to $1,800 monthly

As can be seen, the cost of having an African Grey Parrot is not significantly more than that of a dog.

In fact, it is likely less expensive. Assuming the parrot is in good condition, you will likely not pay more than $200 a month. Nonetheless, costs soar if the bird is damaged or ill.

Due to the expensive vet and medical costs, it is suggested that these birds get pet insurance. At the absolute least, you should establish an emergency savings account.

Additional Costs to Factor In

In addition to ordinary monthly expenses, there are other costs to consider. For instance, you must board your pet anytime you leave on vacation.

If you’re fortunate, you may have a friend who has experience caring for birds. However, this is dangerous. We propose instead paying for vacation boarding.

Owning an African Grey Parrot on a Budget

If you have a limited budget, purchasing an African Grey Parrot may not be your best option. After all, these birds are originally rather pricey. Nonetheless, there are methods to save money on the first purchase.

For instance, you can adopt an adult African Grey Parrot that requires a new home. This is an excellent method to adopt a disadvantaged bird without spending a fortune. The original owner will likely be delighted to give you the cage and toys for the bird.

Cost Savings for African Grey Parrot Care

Because owning an African Grey Parrot is already so inexpensive on a monthly basis, it is difficult to reduce the monthly cost even further. However, it might be more cheap if you shop for sales with great diligence.

For example, food is an expensive need. Utilize discounts and coupons to obtain food at more inexpensive pricing. This is an excellent alternative for feeding your parrots fresh fruits and veggies.

In addition, pet insurance is an absolute must for a bird of this species. If the bird becomes ill or wounded, the monthly cost will increase. Although paying a monthly charge might be unpleasant, it is the most effective method of protection.

Conclusion

How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost?” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has shown that when you first acquire an African Grey Parrot, you might anticipate to spend a great deal of money.

The bird may cost up to $4,000 on its own. In the meanwhile, additional first-time charges might cost up to $700.

Thankfully, the monthly costs associated with owning an African Grey Parrot are substantially more modest. Unless the bird becomes unwell, you will likely pay roughly $200.

If the bird becomes unwell, you will likely have to pay a significantly higher monthly fee. We recommend purchasing exotic pet insurance to protect yourself in the event that this occurs.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Comment

0.0
Rated 0 out of 5
0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
Excellent0%
Very good0%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Related articles