Buying a parrot: prices, lifespan and what to ask the seller

Parrots can make rewarding companions, but they are among the most demanding pets you can buy. This guide covers what parrots typically cost, what they need, and the legal paperwork to check.

How much does a parrot cost?

These figures come from bird-for-sale adverts placed on Mypetzilla. They are asking prices, not the price a buyer finally paid. We left out adverts with no price and obvious mistakes. We show the median price, where half of adverts asked less and half asked more, and the middle half of adverts as a range.

Prices depend heavily on the species, the bird's age, whether it was hand-reared and whether it comes with paperwork. Smaller birds cost much less: there were only 5 priced cockatiel adverts, mostly between £100 and £180, which is too few for a reliable figure.

The price of the bird is only the start. A suitable cage or aviary, toys, perches and a varied diet all add up, and avian vets can cost more than a regular vet.

Parrots live a very long time

The RSPCA says some parrots live for more than 50 years. A young parrot may outlive its owner, so think about who would care for your bird if you couldn't, before you buy.

What parrots need

Parrots are intelligent and social. The RSPCA's guidance on looking after a pet bird covers this in detail, but in short, parrots need:

• Company. Parrots are flock animals and can become distressed if they are left alone for long periods. The RSPCA explains how large parrots can be kept with another bird safely.
• Space to fly. A cage should be a base, not the bird's whole world. Birds need to fly every day in a large aviary or a safe room.
• Things to do. Toys to chew and puzzle feeders help prevent boredom, which can lead to feather plucking and other problems.
• A varied diet. Seed alone is not enough for most parrots. Ask an avian vet what's right for the species.
• Safety. Non-stick pans, smoke, some plants and open windows can all be dangerous for birds.

The Article 10 certificate

Some parrot species, including African grey parrots, are listed in Annex A of the wildlife trade regulations because they are endangered in the wild. GOV.UK says you need an Article 10 certificate to sell, offer for sale or display for commercial gain any Annex A specimen, and that buyers must check the seller has one.

For an Annex A bird:

• the seller must have a valid Article 10 certificate for that specific bird
• the advert must show the certificate number
• the bird must be uniquely and permanently marked, usually with a closed ring or a microchip, and the mark should match the certificate

It is an offence to offer an Annex A species for sale without a valid certificate. If you're not sure whether the species you want is listed, check before you buy, and ask the seller to show you the certificate.

Questions to ask the seller

• What species is it, and how old is it? Is it fully weaned?
• Was it hand-reared or parent-reared, and how has it been handled?
• Has it been sexed, and if so how? Is it ringed or microchipped?
• For Annex A species, can I see the Article 10 certificate?
• What has it been eating, and has it seen an avian vet?
• Why is it being sold? For an adult bird, does it have any habits, such as plucking or biting, that I should know about?

Always see the bird in person where it is kept before you pay. If you're buying an older bird, ask about its routine and its likes and dislikes. You can browse parrots for sale and macaws for sale on Mypetzilla.