African Grey Parrot Cost

Elizabeth Craig

30 Nov, 2023

African grey parrots are among the most popular pet birds thanks to their intelligence, ability to talk, and engaging personalities. However, owning an African grey also comes with significant responsibilities and costs.

Here, we'll break down the full lifetime costs of owning an African grey parrot so you can determine if you're prepared for the financial commitment.

Initial Purchase Price

The initial purchase price for an African grey parrot will typically range from $500-$1500 depending on age, gender, breeding, and other factors. Some key points about African grey purchase prices:

Baby/juvenile greys usually cost the most, around $800-1500 since they are still young and will have many years left to bond with their owner.
Adult greys may be a bit cheaper at $500-1000 since their temperament is already established and they require less hands-on taming. However, older birds may be harder to bond with.
Hand-fed baby greys from a reputable breeder may command top dollar around $1200-1500 since they are already people-friendly.
Adopted greys from shelters or rehoming situations can sometimes be found for as little as $200-400, but may have behavioral or health issues to address.

Cage and Supplies

A suitable cage is essential for an African grey parrot and will likely be one of your largest initial purchases beyond the bird itself. Here are some cage cost considerations:

A properly sized large flight cage suitable for an African grey will range from $300-1000 depending on features, size, and brand.
Perches, toys, food dishes, and other cage accessories will add another $50-150 to initial set-up costs.
Replacement toys and perches will need to be purchased periodically, budget around $30-50 every 3-6 months.
A protective cloth or plastic cage cover is also recommended, budget $30-50.

In total, expect to spend $400-1200 or more on an ideal cage and supplies for your grey.

Food and Treats

Feeding a grey also represents ongoing costs to consider over its lifetime.

Premium pelleted diets suited for greys run $30-50 per 25lb bag and should be replaced every 4-6 weeks as needed.
Fresh fruits and veggies to supplement their diet add another $10-20 per week on average.
Specialty treats for training and enrichment come out to $10-20 per month.

Plan to budget a minimum of $50-80 per month on high-quality food and treats for your grey parrot over its lifetime.

Veterinary Care

Annual wellness exams and any necessary medical treatment represent ongoing veterinary costs for owning an African grey.

Expect annual checkups to average $100-300 depending on your avian vet and the services provided.
Common illnesses and injuries for greys may incur further vet bills from $50-500 or more per incident depending on the issue and treatment needed.
Dental work once your grey reaches maturity at 3-4 years old typically ranges $200-500 and should be done every 1-2 years as needed.
Emergency avian vet visits will likely run $200-1000 or more if your grey gets seriously ill or injured.

Plan to budget a minimum of $200-500 annually for routine preventative care plus additional costs for any medical treatments your grey may require over its 20+ year lifespan.

Grooming and Day-to-Day Expenses

Routine grooming for a healthy coat and nails adds to the maintenance costs of owning an African grey parrot.

Nail trims from an experienced professional every 4-6 weeks are around $10-20 each time.
The occasional bath costs $5-10 in supplies.
Daily fruits, veggies, and enrichment toys amount to around $2-5 per day on average.
New perches, foraging toys, ladders for exercise also represent periodic costs.

Expect to budget at least $50-80 per month for basic grooming needs, supply replacement, and enrichment activities for your grey companion.

Training and Behavior Support

Parrots are highly intelligent but do require guidance from their owners on acceptable behaviors.

Formal training classes cost $60-100 per 5-6 week session if needed for a particularly challenging bird.
One-on-one training sessions with an experienced professional trainer are around $50-100 each.
Toys and methods for stimulation and guidance to reduce negative habits add up to $30-50 periodically.

Trainers and behavior counselors should be engaged as needed to ensure a successful long-term relationship between owner and grey parrot.

Total Lifetime Ownership Cost

Given the long 25-40 year lifespan potential of an African grey, here is a breakdown of total projected costs over its ownership:

Initial purchase and setup = $1000-2500
Annual care including vet bills = $500-1000
Food costs over 25 years = $7500-15,000
Cage and accessories replacement every 5-10 years = $1000-3000
Grooming and day-to-day = $1000-2000 per year
Potential behavior support and training = $1500-3000

Based on these estimates for an African grey parrot purchased as a youngster and kept properly for its natural lifespan, overall ownership costs can range from $25,000-$50,000 or more. While a significant commitment, these highly social and intelligent birds make wonderful companions when cared for by a dedicated owner willing and able to provide for all their needs.

Financial Planning for an African Grey

To give your potential feathered friend the best quality of life it deserves, experts recommend taking the following steps to prepare financially for African grey parrot ownership:

Save at least $5000-$10,000 earmarked just for veterinary emergencies and unexpected costs that will inevitably arise.
Set aside $100-200 from each paycheck into the bird fund for ongoing monthly expenses and unplanned bills.
Insure your bird through an avian policy to cover medical costs from accidents and help offset major bills.
Research low-cost care options in your area like avian vets and mobile groomers.
Speak to your vet about wellness plans and payment schedules they may offer.

Proper monetary preparation allows you to give your grey companion the best care without restricting necessary medical decisions due to cost concerns down the road.

Adopting Can Help Reduce Expenses

For those who do not want to commit to the full lifetime ownership costs for an African grey, adopting an adult or senior bird can help lower your financial obligations considerably.

Rehomed greys typically cost less up front in adoption fees of $200-800 rather than purchase price.
Their housing needs are often already met with cages and accessories included.
As adults, annual vet bills may be less since routine procedures like dentals have already been addressed.
Food costs remain similar but initial setup expenses can drop from $1000s to just $200-800 range.
Since their full diet and temperament are established, short-term costs are very manageable.

Rescuing a displaced parrot also gives a loving bird a new home while easing the long-term financial commitment for the new caregiver. It's a win-win option to consider before acquiring a baby or juvenile parrot.

Ways to Reduce Ownership Costs Over Time

While African greys do represent a major long-term monetary responsibility, here are some tips that can help cut costs after your initial setup:

Grow your own greens, herbs and chopped veggies to supplement store-bought produce - saves $5-10 per week.
Make inexpensive foraging toys by stuffing treats into paper towel rolls, empty cans and cardboard - less than $1 each.
Seek out volunteer or reduced-cost grooming services from local bird clubs or vet tech students - saving $10-20 per trim.
Clean cages yourself with diluted vinegar instead of store solutions - cuts supply costs in half.
Neuter/spay your bird if possible to reduce hormonal behaviors that may require training support.
House multiple birds together if they get along for company versus purchasing additional parrots.
Train basic commands and enrichment behaviors at home without ongoing classes.

With some creativity and preventative care strategies, owners can whittle their grey's long-term costs down an average of 15-20% annually after the first couple of years.

Financial Assistance if Needed

For those experiencing unexpected life circumstances like job loss, medical bills or emergencies that challenge ongoing parrot ownership, here are a few potential sources of help:

Contact your local humane society, SPCA or bird rescue - they may be able to board or foster the bird temporarily.
Set up a GoFundMe campaign explaining your situation and ask for donation support from family/friends.
Search forums like Parrot911.com for resources on low-cost veterinary assistance programs.
Post an adoption listing ensuring the new home thoroughly commits to the bird's needs first.
Reach out to parrot/bird clubs for advice on affordable rehoming or surrender options if needed as a last resort.

With planning and community support, owners who find themselves in difficult straits need not relinquish their feathered family member's quality care without exploring all potential alternatives first.