How Much Does a Quaker Parrot Cost? (2024 Price Guide)

The Quaker parrot, also known as a Quaker parakeet or Monk parakeet, is a charming small- to medium-sized bird native to southern South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Quaker parrots are popular pets, but being released by pet owners has led to several feral colonies across multiple US states. As a result, they’re now illegal or restricted in Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont, and Virginia.

If you’re permitted to keep a Quaker parrot in your state, here’s everything you need to know about the cost to purchase and own one of these birds. You can find a Quaker parrot for as little as $25 or as much as $500 depending on the source, with monthly costs around $163 – $323.

Bringing Home a New Quaker Parrot: One-Time Costs

The cost for your Quaker parrot can vary based on whether you purchase one from a breeder or adopt one. You’ll also have costs for the bird’s enclosure and supplies to consider in your budget.

Free

Quaker parrots are cute, but they can be a lot of work. You may find Quaker parrots offered for rehoming for free, leaving you with just the cage and accessories to purchase. Some people rehome animals because of health issues, however, so consider possible vet bills in your planning.

Adoption

You may find Quaker parrots up for adoption through animal shelters or bird sanctuaries. This is often cheaper than purchasing a bird, as these animals receive basic veterinary care before going up for adoption. You will also have information about the animal’s health and behavior. The parrots up for adoption are typically older.

Breeder

Parrots that come from reputable breeders are typically well-socialized and healthy, but you can expect to pay between $250 and $500 for a well-bred Quaker parrot. Breeders invest a lot into the care of their birds, which is reflected in the price. Some pet stores also offer Quaker parrots, but it’s important to consider the store’s reputation to determine if you’re getting a quality pet for your money.

Initial Setup and Supplies

Aside from the cost of the bird itself, you will need to pay for a birdcage, cage accessories, toys, food and food dishes, and some other supplies. Some of these will be a one-time upfront cost, while others will be ongoing.

List of Quaker Parrot Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Quaker Parrot Cost Per Month?

There are ongoing costs to keep a bird, including regular veterinary care, food, cage maintenance, and replacement cage accessories and toys. Here’s what you can expect to pay each month.

Health Care

Your bird will need a veterinary exam at least once a year, as well as regular grooming sessions for nails and wing clippings. You’ll also need to pay for food and pet insurance, which can add to the costs.

Food

Quaker parrots are small birds and thrive on a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and vegetation in the wild. Their captive diet should consist of a commercial seed and nut mix, commercial pelleted food, and some fruits and vegetables. The pellet food should make up about 70% of the diet, while the fruits and vegetables should make up about 20% of the diet. The remaining 10% should be a seed and nut mix.

Grooming

Quaker parrots take care of their own grooming and bathing, but they do need their nails trimmed and their wing feathers trimmed a few times a year. In some states, this is a requirement for ownership. If you can’t do this yourself, you will need to take your parrot to a vet or groomer.

Medications and Vet Visits

Your parrot should see a vet at least once a year for a wellness exam, which can vary from $30 to $100. If your parrot has a health problem, you may need to visit the vet more often and pay for medications, which can add to your monthly costs.

Pet Insurance

You can get pet insurance for your Quaker parrot, which helps with wellness care and emergencies. Injuries or major illnesses can be costly at an emergency clinic or animal hospital, but insurance can help you prepare for the unexpected for a low monthly cost. Depending on the company and plan you choose, you could get coverage for accidents and injuries, major illnesses, and wellness care. Some companies offer additional coverage for boarding, life insurance, and lost or stolen pets, but the costs vary.

Environment Maintenance

Environmental maintenance for a Quaker parrot is generally inexpensive. Cage liners and cage cleaners are all you need to keep up with your bird’s hygiene, which can vary depending on how often you have to clean.

Entertainment

Quaker parrots are strong chewers, so you may need to replace perches, climbing ropes, ladders, and toys regularly. These birds are also smart and get bored easily, so it’s best to keep a variety of toys to rotate. These items can be pricey, so you can expect to pay between $25 and $50 per month, depending on how many toys and accessories you purchase.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Quaker Parrot

The costs for your parrot can vary. Veterinary care and quality parrot food are musts, but the rest of your costs will depend on how often you have to replace cage liners, toys, and accessories and whether you insure your bird.

Additional Costs to Factor In

The monthly costs for your parrot are the general costs you can expect, but there could be additional unexpected costs. For example, you may need to pay a pet sitter to care for your parrot if you’re on vacation or ill. You can put away some money each month to save toward care for your parrot if you’re unable to.

Emergency care or major illnesses or injuries are another consideration. This can quickly lead to a bill in the thousands of dollars, but having pet insurance or an emergency fund can help you prepare for this possibility.

Owning a Quaker Parrot on a Budget

The costs to own a Quaker parrot may be surprising, but you don’t have to be rich to own a bird. Saving on the cost of the parrot themselves and getting a secondhand cage can help tremendously. The most important costs are food and veterinary care.

Saving Money on Quaker Parrot Care

You can save money on your parrot’s care by getting pet insurance. Depending on the plan you choose, you could prepare for emergencies and get extra coverage for pet sitting, grooming, wellness, and more.

Another way to save is by buying pellet bird food and seed mixes in bulk, which has a lower per-unit cost. Just be sure that you will use it all before it expires. You could also save on cage liners by using newspaper and DIY some of your own toys and perches.

Conclusion

Quaker parrots are cute and friendly birds, but they can be surprisingly expensive to keep. Aside from the upfront costs, you will need to pay for vet care, food, toys, accessories, and cage maintenance for as long as you have the animal. Before you bring one of these birds home, make sure you can fit these costs into your budget and give your parrot the care they need for their entire life.

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Featured Image Credit: Jean van der Meulen, Pixabay