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. Owning an African Grey is not just about the upfront cost; it’s a long-term financial and emotional commitment.
But large birds also come with a large cost. Few birds get quite the same reaction as the African Grey parrot. They’re big and beautiful birds that can learn many tricks.
With upfront costs reaching up to $4,000 and ongoing monthly expenses ranging from $150 to $235, prospective owners must be prepared for both the initial investment and the continuous care these intelligent birds require.
As a general answer, you might expect to pay $250-$5,000 to acquire this bird, plus spend $115-$265 per month in maintenance. Let’s look at the details.
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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.
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.
African Grey Parrots typically cost between $800 and $4,000, making them one of the pricier pets to own. These medium-sized, predominantly gray parrots are renowned for their exceptional intelligence, ability to mimic human speech, and striking red tails.
Not only is the upfront cost something to be aware of, but there are also costly monthly expenses you will need to factor in.
Initial Purchase Price
The cost of an African grey parrot from a breeder can vary depending on the bird’s pedigree and the breeder’s quality. While the initial cost of an African grey parrot can create quite the sticker shock, the same thing is true for their supplies.
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Factors Influencing the Price
- Species Variation: There are two main species of African Grey parrots: the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey.
- Age: Younger birds, especially chicks, often command higher prices than adults.
- Breeder Reputation: Well-established breeders who follow ethical breeding practices may charge more for their birds compared to less reputable sources.
- Location: Prices can fluctuate based on geographical location.
- Legal Regulations: Certain regions may have specific regulations regarding the ownership of exotic pets, which can affect availability and cost.
- Health and Vet Checks: Birds that come with health guarantees or have undergone veterinary checks may incur higher prices.
- Training and Socialization: Parrots that have been trained or socialized may also fetch a higher price.
Several factors influence the price of an African Grey Parrot, with subspecies being a significant determinant. In contrast, the Timneh African Grey, which is smaller with darker plumage and a maroon tail, often starts at around $1,700.
Age and training level also play a crucial role in pricing. Younger parrots are generally pricier due to their potential for bonding and training. Birds trained in advanced skills, such as mimicking speech or performing tricks, can command significantly higher prices.
The reputation of the breeder is another key factor. Reputable breeders often charge more because they prioritize the bird’s health and socialization.
Choosing a trusted breeder ensures better care standards and reduces the risk of health or behavioral issues in your parrot.
Parrot Stars in Illinois specializes in breeding and hand-taming exotic parrots, including African Greys. Online breeders like Amazing Birds Farm also provide healthy Congo African Greys with nationwide shipping. Additionally, Avalon Aviary Bird Store in Colorado offers well-socialized parrots raised with care.
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Acquisition Options and Costs
Bringing Home a New African Grey Parrot: One-Time CostsWhenever 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.
You already took care of most of the essentials, but the last thing you’ll need to account for when caring for your bird is everything you need to keep up with their cage.
While finding an African grey parrot for free is extremely uncommon, it’s not entirely unheard of. Not only that but finding a genuine African grey parrot at a rescue can be a challenge.
By far the most common way to get an African grey parrot is to find a breeder.
If you are considering adoption, fees typically range from $500 to $1,000, making it a more budget-friendly option for those willing to rehome a parrot. Some rescues or shelters offer even lower rehoming fees, around $300 to $400.
Here's a breakdown of the potential acquisition costs:
- Free: This is next to impossible to find one for free.
- Adoption: $500-$1,000. 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.
- Breeder: $800-$4,000. 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.
I would strongly encourage you to consider adopting. Each year, there are several African Greys up for adoption at the parrot rescue near me.
I hope you will consider going the adoption route. Congo African grey babies are going for $5,000 on average in the USA. Rescues tend to rehome adult greys for a lot less, but that varies a lot from rescue to rescue. I got my grey 15 years ago from a private owner for $800 when she was 6 years old.
Initial Setup Costs
While we’ve already highlighted all the typical costs of owning an African grey parrot, there are still some occasional expenses you’ll want to at least think about before getting one. Additionally, every time you plan on heading out of town, you’ll need to get somebody to watch them, and unless you have a good friend or family member who’s willing to do it, those costs can quickly add up.
Setting up a home for an African Grey Parrot involves several one-time expenses that ensure the bird’s comfort and well-being.
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).
You must also buy accessories to go inside the cage, such as stainless-steel bowls, perches, and water bottles.
You already took care of most of the essentials, but the last thing you’ll need to account for when caring for your bird is everything you need to keep up with their cage.
A high-quality parrot cage is essential, with prices ranging from $200 to $500, depending on size and design. Accessories like perches, stainless steel feeding bowls, and toys can add another $50 to $200 to the total cost.
An initial veterinary checkup is another necessary expense, costing between $100 and $250. This ensures the bird is healthy and free from any underlying conditions.
Additional one-time costs may include a travel cage for safe transportation, priced at around $30 to $80, or a hand-feeding kit if you are caring for a baby parrot.
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.
Detailed Breakdown of Initial Costs
Here's a list of essential care supplies and their estimated costs:
- Permits: $111-$600
- Cage: $120
- Cage Setup Items (like Perches): $20-$50
- Transportable Cage: Often free with the purchase of the bird; $80 otherwise
- Food and Water Bowls: $10
Ongoing Monthly Expenses
Monthly maintenance costs for an African Grey Parrot can add up, as these intelligent birds require a balanced diet, regular health care, and mental enrichment.
This variety ensures proper nutrition and keeps the parrot healthy. Routine veterinary care is another essential cost. Annual checkups with an avian vet average $100 to $250, but emergency visits can range from $300 to $1,200 depending on the issue.
Entertainment and mental stimulation are crucial for African Greys to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. Monthly costs for toys and puzzles typically range from $20 to $50, as these birds often destroy their toys during play.
Overall, monthly expenses for an African Grey Parrot generally fall between $150 and $235, but they can spike to over $1,000 during health emergencies. These recurring costs reflect the commitment required to ensure your parrot’s well-being and happiness.
Even after you drop the money to get your African grey parrot and all the necessary supplies, you’re not done spending money on them just yet.
No matter how well you take care of your parrot, you need to expect that, every once in a while, there will be some expenses that affect their health care.
There will likely be months where you don’t need to spend anything, but when those expenses do occasionally come up, they can quickly add up.
Because of this, it’s best to put some money aside each month.
Now that you know roughly how much you’ll need to spend monthly to properly care for an African grey parrot, you can put in an accurate line item in your budget to ensure you can get them everything they need.
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.
Detailed Monthly Costs
Here's a more detailed look at potential monthly expenses:
- Health Care: $0-$250 per month. 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: $45-$70 per month. 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: $100-$1,450 per month. 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: $20-$40 per month. If you purchase an African Grey Parrot, we highly recommend pet insurance. It will likely cost between $200 and $400 a year. 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: $20-$50 per month. 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.
Additional costs
While the African grey parrot is a large bird, they still weigh less than a pound. Most months you don’t need to put anything back for grooming, but when you do need to pay for grooming, you can expect to spend between $40 and $50 for a single visit if you hire somebody. Since African grey parrots need to go to a groomer two to three times a year, putting a little bit aside each month can completely cover these expenses when it’s time to keep their nails and beak trimmed.
