African Gray Parrots are one of the most beautiful, smart, intelligent, popular and social parrots.
Being very popular, they require a lot of care, attention and financial commitment. So, by now you’re wondering: how much does an African grey parrot cost?
African Gray parrots are a favourite among parrot lovers because they are incredibly intelligent and smart, making them extremely fun-loving and talented.
Their attractive appearance and appearance makes them different from other parrots. African grey parrots are very expensive to raise.
If you want to get an African Gray Parrot, you have to be prepared for the lifetime financial commitment. This will cost approximately $200-$2000 per month.
Contents
- 1 What Is The Price Of An African Grey Parrot?
- 2 How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost?
- 3 Why Are African Grey Parrots So Expensive?
- 4 How Much Does An African Grey Cage Cost?
- 5 What’s The Average African Grey Food Price?
- 6 How Much Do African Grey Eggs Cost?
- 7 What’s The Annual Cost Of Owning An African Grey Parrot?
- 8 What To Look For When Buying An African Grey Parrot?
- 9 FAQ
- 10 Conclusion
What Is The Price Of An African Grey Parrot?
When you buy an African grey parrot for the first time, you will need to get some other accessories along with the bird which will be a one-time investment.
Typically, these one-time expenses make your purchase the most expensive.
Undoubtedly, the most expensive item on this list is the bird.
African grey parrots are the most expensive birds, even though they are one of the most popular pet parrots.
The cost you pay is based on these factors :
- Age -Older birds have higher prices because they have been properly trained and socialized.
- Gender -Females lay eggs, which makes them more expensive.
- Breeder -The price of birds from reputed breeders is higher.
- Genetics -The parrot of the correct gene pool is the most expensive.
- Hereditary diseases -If the bird is sick or weak its value decreases because breeders will not use diseased birds.
- Sub-species -Timneh African greys are less common parrots.
There are also costs to providing ongoing care, such as:
- Food and treats.
- Toys and games.
- Perches.
- Cages.
- Cleaning agents.
- Veterinary care and insurance.
- Pet sitters.
- A legal permit in some states.
While purchasing an African Gray is expensive, raising one is even more expensive, so think carefully before deciding whether you can afford the annual costs.
How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost?
There are main two species of African grey parrots, Congo and Timneh.
Timneh African Grays parrots are slightly smaller than the Congo parrot, the Congo is 14-16 inches tall while the Timneh is only 13-15 inches.
Their feathers are also slightly dark brown. Both species of African grey parrots have attractive red feathers in their tails.
The average price of each parrot is as follows :
| African Grey Parrot Species | Average Price (USD) |
| Congo | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| Timneh | $2,000 – $3,500 |
African Grey Parrot Price in Different Countries
| African Grey Parrot | Price |
| USA | $1500-$4000 |
| Australia | A$3000-A$6000 |
| India | ₹50,000-₹100,000 |
| UK | UK: £1000–£2000 |
| Canada | CA$2000-CA$5000 |
| Europe | €1000–€2000 |
Why Are African Grey Parrots So Expensive?
African grey parrots are one of the most expensive pet birds.
Although we discussed their high prices, other reasons make them the most expensive, so let us know:
acquiring legal ownership
To sell, buy, display or use African grey parrots commercially, you need two types of CITES Article 10 (A10) certificates, which are as follows :
- The Transaction Specific Certificate (TSC).
- A Specimen Specific Certificate (SS).
Parrots must also be marked with a closed-toe ring or a microchip since the African Gray was added to the CITES Appendix 1 list, making them endangered.The list details animals in need of protection from overexploitation and is recognized by 178 member states, including the US.
While most new owners do not need to apply for a certificate for commercial use (as the seller must have a certificate), it is advisable to do so if you ever need to re-home them.
Prospective owners should ask to see the certificate from the seller before making payment. Otherwise, you may get into legal trouble with government officials.
The license costs about $500, which is passed on to the buyer.
Intelligence
African grey parrots have advanced cognitive abilities. “These parrots are known as the most intelligent parrots in the world, they have the ability to talk like a five-year-old human child.
Exclusively restricted to primates and humans. Therefore, African Grays have become popular among people who want smart talking birds, which has increased their demand significantly in the market.
African Grey Parrot Lifespan
African grey parrots can live 40 to 60 years in captivity, which is one reason their initial cost is so high.
As a result, the long-term cost of owning an African Gray will be more expensive.
Rarity
According to an international journal publication, the population of African grey parrots has declined drastically.
The main causes of their population decline include the felling of large trees where they live and breed and the illegal capture of African greys for the pet bird trade.
How Much Does An African Grey Cage Cost?
African greys are large birds that require plenty of space to move around and fly.
The larger cage prevents them from becoming stressed and having behavioural problems like claustrophobia.
They require a large cage which should preferably be 3 feet wide, 4 feet high and 2 feet long. Aim for a minimum cage size of 36 x 24 x 48 inches for adequate space. The bars should be spaced 1 inch apart.
This saves them the trouble of climbing up and down without hurting themselves or running away.
Because of all these requirements, the average price of an African grey cage ranges from $400 to $600.
The best quality cages sell for $1,000 or more. Premium cages are a better option because African grey parrots are intelligent enough to escape, so you will need a strong and durable product.
- Cage: $200-$500
- Cage Cover: $15–$25
- Cage Liner: $10-$25
- Perches: $20-$100
- Toys: $25-$100
- Feeding Plates: $10–$30
- Water Dishes: $10–$30
- Microchip: $45-$150
- Calcium Block: $20–$40
- Cleaning Supplies: $10-$20
- Flight harness: $25-$50
- Nail clippers: $5–$15
What’s The Average African Grey Food Price?
African grey food prices range from $45 to $70 per month, depending on their size and appetite.
Parrots require the following foods in their diet:
- Parrot Pellets
- Fruits and vegetables
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Insects
- Fresh water
How Much Do African Grey Eggs Cost?
You can buy African grey parrot eggs for $30 to $75 and use a machine to incubate the eggs, then care for them as they hatch.
They are much cheaper than adult birds. Buying African grey eggs is an illegal or controversial practice because there is a greater chance that the egg will not hatch, chances of premature death are higher and special incubation equipment.
Only experienced owners should attempt to raise and hatch an African grey parrot.
What’s The Annual Cost Of Owning An African Grey Parrot?
The annual cost of keeping an African Gray can vary as the cost of keeping parrots increases when they become ill and require veterinary and medical treatment.
Additionally, pet insurance premiums may also increase.
Parrots need mental stimulation and toys to play with.
Due to the rubbing of their beaks and claws, African Grays will likely destroy them, causing additional expense on new toys for owners.
The annual cost of raising an African grey parrot can range from $2500-$3,200. Here are the details of the various costs:
- Pellets: $200 – $300
- Seeds: $100 – $200
- Fresh fruit and vegetables: $240 – $360.
- Toys: $240 – $360
- Veterinary care – $100 – $250
- Emergency care: $300 – $1,200
- Insurance: $200 – $400
Maintenance and Ongoing Costs (Per Month)
- Diet:$45–$70
- Treats: $20-$$40
- Cage maintenance: $20-$250
- Grooming and bathing: $15-$30
- Veterinary bills: $150-300
- Pet insurance: $10-$25
- Changing accessories (toys, perches, food, and water bowls): $20–$30
- Emergency Care: $500-$2000
What To Look For When Buying An African Grey Parrot?
Whether you buy an African Gray from a pet store or a reputable breeder, ask these questions:
- Is the parrot healthy? The bird seller must be asked about the health background and history of the bird.
- What is the recent age of the parrot? Get proof of age.
- Does the seller have the correct paperwork? If not, you find another seller.
To avoid problems, buy from a reputable seller with a long history of breeding African Greys.
Also, make sure they have the correct CITES Article 10 certification.
FAQ
How much does an African Grey Parrot typically cost?
You can expect to pay between $2000 and $4000 for an African grey parrot.
Are there any ongoing expenses associated with owning an African Grey Parrot?
Yes, raising African Gray parrots costs you, including food, toys, veterinary care, and cage upgrades. These costs amount to several hundred dollars per year.
Why do African Grey Parrots tend to be more expensive than other parrot species?
African grey parrots are known for their high intelligence, extraordinary talking abilities, and social nature. Their popularity as pet birds is greater than that of some other parrot species, which contributes to their higher cost.
Conclusion
When you are thinking of purchasing an African grey parrot, be prepared to spend a good amount of money, up to $4,000 an African grey parrot.
Unless the bird becomes sick, the cost is likely to be around $250. If the bird gets sick, you will have to pay a lot.
If this happens, we recommend that you purchase exotic pet insurance to protect yourself.
African grey parrots live up to 60 years and are very sensitive and emotional birds.
It is very important to give them attention and proper care. They may develop behavioural problems due to lack of proper care.