12 Rare & Exotic Pet Bird Species (With Pictures)

Birds are one of the most popular types of pets to own worldwide. Birds are colorful, intelligent, and fun. Some birds are very common, like parrots and parakeets. Other types of birds, like chickens, are exploding in popularity as pets and working animals. But what are some birds that are truly rare and exotic? What are some of the most interesting bird species that you can own as a pet? This list features some of the rarest and most exotic birds that you can find and own today, including a short guide on how to vet a potential exotic bird seller before pulling the trigger.

Top 12 Rare & Exotic Pet Bird Species

1. Australian King Parrot

Australian King Parrots are native to the eastern coastline of Australia. They have a range stretching nearly 2,000 miles and are of least concern in their natural habitat. In the wild, they live in humid tropical forests, but they can also be kept as pets. Australian King Parrots do not like being handled by people, but they will form a friendship from a distance. The male Australian King Parrot has a distinctive bright red head. This is one of the defining physical features of the breed. Australian King Parrots cannot talk like some other species of parrot. These birds absolutely love black sunflower seeds.

You can buy an Australian King Parrot in Australia for $100 to $500. In the United States, these birds can go for as much as $1,000 to $1,500 because of their rarity outside of Australia.

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2. Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The Victoria Crowned Pigeon is a species of ground dwelling pigeon native to New Guinea and parts of Indonesia. The pigeon is named after Queen Victoria. This bird has a distinctive and gorgeous appearance. It has large plumage for a pigeon and a maroon-colored breast which clashes nicely with the grey-blue color of the rest of the bird. In captivity, these birds can live as long as 30 years and sometimes even longer.

Victoria Crowned Pigeons are very rare, and people have been caught trying to smuggle them into different countries in an attempt to turn a big profit. These birds can be difficult to source, and if you do find a legal means by which to obtain them, be prepared to pay multiple thousands of dollars per bird.

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3. Hyacinth Macaw

The Hyacinth Macaw is a species of parrot native to South America. This bird is known for its bright blue coloring, which spreads over its entire body save for yellow around the eyes and beak. The Hyacinth Macaw is the world’s largest species of flying parrot. It stands over 3 feet tall and has a wingspan of over 4 feet. The only parrot larger is a flightless parrot native to New Zealand. That means that you will need a lot of space if you plan on buying one of these rare birds.

You will also need a lot of money if you plan on buying one. A Hyacinth Macaw can range in price from $8,000 to $15,000. These birds are no joke! As such, Hyacinth Macaws are considered one of the most expensive bird species readily available to the public.

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4. Rose Breasted Cockatoo

The Rose Breasted Cockatoo, also known as a Galah, is a cockatoo that is almost entirely pink with stately gray wings. This bird has a beautiful rich coloring that is reminiscent of that of a flamingo. These birds are very common in Australia, where they live freely in large populations. The Rose Breasted Cockatoo can be found almost everywhere in Australia, from the Pacific coast to the Indian coast. However, they can be difficult to find outside of Australia due to the challenges of exporting exotic birds for sale. In Australia, these birds can be readily spotted in the wild and in pet stores. In the United States, be prepared to pay $5,000 to $7,000 for a single bird.

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5. Black Palm Cockatoo

The Black Palm Cockatoo is native to the New Guinea region as well as the very northern portion of Australia. This bird is known for its black body, large plumage, and bright red face. The Black Palm Cockatoo is a large bird with an incredibly long lifespan. There are some reports of captive Black Palm Cockatoos living to be upwards of 90 years old.

These are some of the rarest birds to find as pets in the world, and they cost a lot to own. Luckily, in the wild, they are not threatened and have very robust native populations in the New Guinea region. Elsewhere, it is not uncommon to see Black Palm Cockatoos listed for $15,000 to $20,000 apiece. If you are a lover of exotic birds, that money could be worth it if you plan on owning your Black Palm Cockatoo for 60 or more years.

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6. Green Aracari

The Green Aracari is a small toucan or toucanet that is native to South America. These birds are multicolored and have very large beaks. At first glance, they do look like miniature toucans which makes them desirable. Green Aracaris live in jungle trees, and as pets, they need large enclosures in which they hop and flutter around in. Green Aracaris are fairly common toucanets that can be purchased from a number of reputable sellers. Prices can range anywhere from $2,800 for a breeding pair up to $6,500 for a single bird.

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7. Golden Conure

The Golden Conure, or Golden Parakeet, is a species of New World parrot native to the Amazon River basin. These birds are known for their bright yellow coloring and social personalities. The tips of the wings of the Golden Conure are usually parrot green. Golden Conures are listed as vulnerable as their habitat in the Amazon Rainforest is threatened by deforestation and development. Golden Conures can be purchased as pets. Prices can range anywhere from $1,500 to $6,500 depending on the seller. Golden Conures are small to medium sized birds that will live between 25 and 30 years in captivity.

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8. Archangel Pigeon

The Archangel Pigeon is a type of fancy pigeon specifically bred for domestication and captive ownership. The Archangel Pigeon is known for the metallic sheen of its feathers as well as its unique breast coloring. As a fancy pigeon, the Archangel Pigeon is a descendant of the common Rock Pigeon. These are small birds with calm demeanors that are collected primarily for their appearance.

Since fancy and domesticated pigeons are so common, Archangel Pigeons are not as expensive as some of the other rare birds on this list. A pair of Archangel Pigeons can be found for $20 from some sellers which is a steal! The only types of pigeons that are typically expensive are trained racing and homing pigeons. That makes the Archangel Pigeon the perfect entry point for rare bird ownership and collecting.

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9. African Grey Parrot

The African Grey Parrot is a species of parrot that features a slate grey color rather than a traditional green. The African Grey Parrot lives in a range that stretches through Central Africa’s tropical rainforests. The African Grey Parrot is an endangered species. That means that you will likely need a special license or permit to own one legally. African Grey Parrots make great pets, and they do not live as long as other species of parrot (which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your views on pet longevity.) African Grey Parrots can typically be bought for between $2,000 and $4,000.

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10. Rainbow Lorikeet

The Rainbow Lorikeet is a beautiful colorful bird. It has a traditional Lorikeet shape, but the feathers of this bird are extremely vibrant. Underneath the wings, the Rainbow Lorikeet has a truly spectacular splash of color that can be seen when they flap. The heads are typically blue, the wings are green, and the breast is red and orange. These birds live in large numbers along Australia’s eastern seaboard. These birds are fairly small and are prized for their colorful appearance. You can snag yourself a Rainbow Lorikeet for between $500 and $1,500.

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11. Ayam Cemani Chicken

The Ayam Cemani Chicken is a phenotype variety of chicken native to Southeast Asia. These chickens are unique because, due to a genetic mutation, they are entirely black. Their feathers are black, their beaks are black, their feet are black, and even their internal organs are black. The eggs of the Ayam Cemani Chicken are not black. They are cream colored. These chickens are prized for their unique look, and spotting an all-black chicken can be unsettling and even spooky. The Ayam Cemani Chicken is not its own species of chicken; it is simply a special phenotype of the common Gallus gallus chicken native to large portions of Southeast Asia.

Ayam Cemani Chickens cost around $5,000 for a pair. That equals roughly $2,500 per chicken. Other than their appearance, the Ayam Cemani Chicken will act and behave just like regular old chickens.

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12. Toco Toucan

Toucans are some of the most recognizable exotic bird species in the world. There are over forty different species of toucan. One of the most recognizable varieties of toucan is the Toco Toucan. Toco Toucans offer your classic toucan shape, complete with the large colorful bill. Toco Toucans are one of the only species of toucans to be kept as pets regularly. Since toucans are considered an exotic species, you might need a license or permit to keep them in some areas of the United States.

Toco Toucans have a variable price range. Sometimes you can find people looking to get out of the toucan business and willing to sell toucans for as little as $1,000. Getting a young Toco Toucan from a reputable exotic animal breeder can cost as much as $10,000.

Where to Buy Exotic Birds

The best place to buy exotic birds is from a registered breeder who specializes in your preferred species. Bear in mind that there are typically long waitlists for these rare birds. You may also be able to go to exotic animal shows and find reputable dealers and breeders there. You do not want to buy exotic birds online for a number of reasons. You also might want to avoid working with breeders who do not have a lot of public information available or a physical business to visit.

Tips for Vetting Bird Sellers

Sometimes the exotic animal business can get a little sketchy. There are some things that you can look out for to make sure that the exotic bird seller you are dealing with is legitimate. The last thing you want to do is buy an illegally trafficked animal and get caught up in trouble you didn’t ask for.

First, see if the seller you are working with has a legitimate place of business. Do they have normal hours? Do they have public reviews and feedback? Do they have a storefront? The answer to these questions should almost always be yes.

Next, ask to see the birds. If the seller invites you to a house, office, or storefront, then you should be in decent shape. If the seller asks to meet you somewhere strange, like a parking garage, then that should be a red flag.

Lastly, Google the seller. You want to look to see if they have had any trouble in the past with customers or the law. You also want to make sure that there is some sales history or record online that you can reference. If you can’t find anything about the seller online, you might want to find a different breeder to work with.

Conclusion

These are some of the rarest and most exotic pet bird species that you can buy and own as a pet. There are birds of all kinds on this list, from colorful cockatoos to iconic toucans and off-colored chickens. Exotic bird ownership can be a fun adventure as well as a conversation starter and an interesting hobby. Just be prepared for potentially long lifespans and astronomically high prices of entry.

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Featured Image Credit: Sergey Kohl, Shutterstock