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Foster Parrots, Ltd.
The Cost of Keeping
Parrots
Keeping a pet parrot can be far more costly
than you might imagine. Please take the information shared here into
thoughtful consideration when calculating the cost of owning and caring
for a pet parrot.
Many people believe birds to be a low maintenance pet. Although the physical chores of cage cleaning and feeding can be dealt with in a short amount of time, the emotional requirements of a pet bird should involve several hours of your time every day.
The following information is intended to be used to get a general idea of the costs involved.
-
A good sized caged should cost from $250.00 for a Conure-sized cage to several thousands of dollars for a Macaw-sized cage.
-
Play gyms, tee-stands can range from $100.00 - $500.00.
-
Toys are in the $50.00 - $100.00 range.
We are often asked what an appropriate sized
cage for a Macaw is. Our response is, "900 square miles." As these
complex and intelligent creatures were designed to fly up to 30 miles
each day in search of food in the wild, there is no possible way for us
to offer them an environment where they can fulfill their wild
inheritance. We suggest that although large cages can be purchased to
house a parrot during unsupervised periods and at night, that you offer
your treasured friend as much time out of the cage as possible.
The use of hanging play gyms and
free-standing tee-stands around your home will allow you to bring your
parrot with you as you move about your home doing your day's chores. A
small to medium sized room can be converted into an ideal environment
allowing free flight and a stimulating life for your parrot.
As a general rule of thumb, a cage measuring 3.5 to 4 wingspans wide, 2 to 3 wingspans deep and 2 to 2.5 wingspans wide should be offered as a MINIMUM requirement.
| Monthly Expenses | |||
| Macaw | Gray/Amazon | Conure | |
| Seed mix. Any mix will do and should make up one third of the total diet. | $15.00 - $20.00 | $10.00 - $15.00 | $8.00 - $12.00 |
| Pelleted diet. Get one your bird will eat and this will be one third of the total diet. | $20.00 - $30.00 | $15.00 - $25.00 | $10.00 - $20.00 |
| Fresh fruit and vegetables and other people food, also one third of the total diet. | $30.00 - $40.00 | $20.00 - $30.00 | $15.00 - $25.00 |
| Toys | $30.00 - $50.00 | $20.00 - $30.00 | $15.00 - $25.00 |
| Monthly Total | $95.00 - $140.00 | $65.00 - $100.00 | $48.00 - $82.00 |
| Annual Expenses | |||
| Macaw | Gray/Amazon | Conure | |
| Veterinary care | $100.00 - $250.00 | $100.00 - $250.00 | $100.00 - $250.00 |
| Emergency care* | $350.00 - $2,000.00 | $300.00 - $1,200.00 | $250.00 - $1,000.00 |
| Vacation boarding (10-day stay) | $250.00 | $150.00 | $100.00 |
| Annual Total | $700.00 - $2,500.00 | $550.00 - $1,600.00 | $450.00 - $1,350.00 |
|
*Although
emergency or prolonged care may not be needed each year you must
be prepared to face this financial responsibility. Properly caring for a parrot can cost you, and you should be prepared to spend, from $1,926.00 for a Conure to as much as $4,180.00 a year for a larger bird like a Macaw! If you want to adopt because you cannot afford to buy a parrot, you should think twice before getting into a situation where you cannot afford to take a sick bird to the vet.
And finally, can you afford the time required to keep your companion bird happy and mentally healthy? Will you be able to include your bird in your life or will he or she sit alone in their cage while you are at your 10-hour a day job, at the beach or out with your friends for the weekend? Will you be able to keep this sensitive being for the rest of your life? Can you imagine a reason that might require having to give up the bird? A marriage? Divorce? Children? Moving? How will you find a responsible home for your feathered friend after you have gone? Remember, many of these birds can live for 100 years or more. If your parrot matures into a bird that does not live up to your expectations, will you remain committed to him or her for the rest of their life or will he or she be discarded or left alone in their cage? Think very carefully about taking
a parrot as a companion. The days of thinking of them as just
animals are fading into the past as we learn more about the
intelligence and emotions in their bird brains. |
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