If you’re on a budget and thinking about bringing a parrot into your home, you’ve come to the right place. Not all exotic birds come with a hefty price tag.
In fact, some of the most popular and beloved parrots in the world, like budgies and cockatiels are pretty inexpensive to own. Many parrot species offer a budget-friendly option without compromising on the qualities you desire in a pet parrot.
When it comes to purchasing, you might find the cost of a parrot to be lower when buying from a pet store like PetSmart than an experienced breeder. Alternatively, adopting from shelters can be an even more economical choice. We have rounded up the 10 most affordable parrots you can buy.
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Top Affordable Parrot Species
Here is a list of the cheapest parrots you can buy:
| Parrot species | Price | Lifespan | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budgies | $20 – $80 | 5 – 8 years | 8 – 9 inches |
| Cockatiels | $80 – $250 | 10 – 15 years | 12 – 13 inches |
| Indian Ringnecks | $400 – $1,500 | 20 – 30 years | 14 – 17 inches |
| Quaker Parrots | $250 – $500 | 20 – 30 years | 11 – 12 inches |
| Lovebirds | $100 – $250 | 10 – 15 years | 5 – 7 inches |
| Parrotlets | $100 – $350 | 15 – 20 years | 4 – 5 inches |
| Conures | $300 – $800 | 20 – 30 years | 9 – 20 inches |
| Caiques | $800 – $1,500 | 20 – 30 years | 9 – 10 inches |
| Pionus Parrots | $500 – $2,000 | 25 – 40 years | 10 – 12 inches |
| Senegal Parrots | $800 – $1,200 | 25 – 30 years | 9 – 10 inches |
Budgies
Budgies are the cheapest parrots you can buy. The main reason why they are so affordable compared to other parrots is that they are easy to breed and are bred on a large scale.
However, a lower price tag does not mean compromising on desirable traits you want in your pet parrot. With budgies you can choose from a variety of different colors, probably more colors than some of the expensive parrots.
Greywing, Lutino, Cinnamon, Opaline, and Pied are just some of the options to go with, however, rarer colors can be higher than their standard price. Budgies are also great talkers, which is rare at this price point. They make whistles and chirping sounds quite frequently, but their loudness levels are not disturbing.
Alternatively, you can even go for the English budgie, which is slightly larger in size. However, their price is almost the same as the American budgie.
Cockatiels
An adorable look, a friendly personality, and playful antics have made cockatiels one of the most popular pet parrots around the world.
Cockatiels are affordable parrots both in terms of upfront cost and living expenses. They come in an array of colors and patterns including Grey, Lutino, Cinnamon, Pied, and various other combinations of pied.
They are relatively less noisy and easygoing birds. They are not socially demanding and are easy to care for, which makes them suitable for novice owners.
However, one of the downsides of having a quiet bird is that they are usually not good talkers. And so Cockatiels are not a vocal species and are unlikely to talk. In some cases, they do talk, but the clarity of voice is not up to the standards of other parrots.
Cockatiels skittish by nature are prone to night frights. This usually happens when they get scared by seeing distorted imagery in dim light, so it is necessary to give them a dark room for sleep and keep a watch over them.
Another thing you should know is that Cockatiels produce a lot of dust, so if you or any member of your family is allergic to dander, this bird might not be for you.
Indian Ringnecks
Indian ringneck parrots are one of the best talking parrots you can get at a budget-friendly price. These parrots are touted for their exceptional talking abilities and can rival the more expensive medium-sized parrot species.
The Indian ringnecks have a fun and inquisitive nature and require a roomy cage with plenty of toys and enrichment. They also need a good amount of exercise, playtime, and time outside the cage, so you will need to commit a few hours daily for socialization.
Indian ringnecks normally come in the traditional green color, but if you go for the color mutations, the prices can get quite high. Some of the colors Indian ring-necks come in include blue, lutino, albino, turquoise, and cinnamon.
Quaker Parrots
Another good talking parrot for a budget is the Quaker parrot. They are quite chatty and can remember words and long phrases. They also vocalize frequently though they are only sometimes loud.
Quaker parrots live in large social groups in the wild, which means they need the company of their flock members or human caregivers to stay stimulated.
Quakers do not like to stay in the cage too much and can become stressed or cage-aggressive if neglected. It is beneficial for the bird to spend as much time outside of the cage as possible.
However, they do not need constant interaction, but rather a feeling of being part of a flock and being cared for.
Quaker parrots are outlawed in some states in the USA because they pose threats to agricultural crops and have a tendency to form feral colonies. So it’s advisable to check local regulations before considering to purchase of a Quaker parrot.
Lovebirds
Lovebirds are small and cute parrots with blunt tails. As their names suggest, lovebirds are monogamous birds and make strong bonds with their mates.
However, it is better to keep a lovebird as a single pet. When lovebirds bond with their mates, they tend to ignore everyone around them and can also become territorial.
As single pets, they make loyal and loving companions who love to spend time with their owners. While they are small-sized birds, they require a big enough enclosure to fly around because they are highly active.
Lilian’s lovebird, Rosy-faced lovebird, and Fischer’s lovebird are the most popular types of pet lovebird species. In addition to that, the selective breeding of lovebirds has given rise to many different colors, however, the fancier-looking mutations are often priced more than the traditional colors.
Parrotlets
Parrotlets are often described as big parrots in small bodies. They have bold personalities and an adorable look. Parrotets are the smallest of the true parrots, measuring between 4 – 5 inches in length.
Typically, the smaller birds tend to have a shorter lifespan. But that is not the case with parrotlets. Parrotlets live between 15 and 20 years, though with the right care they may even live up to 25 years.
Parrotlets generally do better as single birds. In the presence of another bird, they can often become possessive, which can manifest in frustration and aggressive behaviors.
When it comes to talking ability, the males tend to be better. Female parrotlets are quieter and less chatty.
Parrotlets are traditionally green but they are available in several different mutations such as White, Turquoise, Blue, Creamino, Green, Grey, and Pied.
Conures
Conures are the ideal parrots for people who want a talkative bird but also don’t mind loud vocalizations. Conure generally tends to very noisy birds and some of them can produce ear-piercing sounds. Despite this, many people keep them in apartments.
They have fairly okay talking skills, though their voice might not be as clear as some larger parrot species. They are also incredibly cuddly parrots and will often come up to you for snuggles.
A few hours of play sessions are necessary to keep them mentally active. If they do not get a sufficient amount of attention they can become nippy and aggressive.
The most famous species of conures that come at a budget include the nanday conure, green-cheeked conure, Jenday conure, and peach-fronted conure.
Caiques
Caiques are one of the most fun parrots to own. They have a reputation for being comical, which is why they have been given the name “clown parrots”.
They are small parrots, just under 10 inches, but they have bold personalities. As pets, caiques are a ball of fun, always exploring their surroundings and experimenting with the traditional ways of playtime.
Their acrobatics are quite amusing to watch and they have a range of moves including hanging upside down, hopping, swinging, and climbing the cage. Caiques are also famous for lying on their backs and snuggling with their owners.
They can be loud and noisy at times, but they are still appropriate for apartment living. Caiques are not known for their talking ability but it is not unlikely that they will learn to speak.
Caiques appreciate a stimulating environment and attention from their owners. However, if they feel neglected, they can quickly turn bitter and aggressive. There are two main species of caiques that are common as pets – the black-headed caiques and the white-bellied caiques.
Pionus Parrots
Pionus Parrots are a gem of the parrot world that not nearly enough people know about. These birds have most of the characteristics that you would want for an apartment-friendly, family bird.
Pionus parrots are even-tempered and docile parrots and don’t make loud vocalizations frequently. As a medium-sized parrot, they are capable of being quite loud, though they rarely scream and squawk. They are not great at talking but can learn to mimic sounds and simple words.
One of the great things about pionus parrots is they are very chilled and relaxed. Compared to other parrots they are not too demanding in terms of attention, which is an advantage for people who have 9-5 jobs.
A roomy cage with many toys is enough to keep them happy, although it is always best to give your parrot more time out of the cage and let them exercise.
There are several species of parrots in the Pionus genus, however, not all of them are cheap to buy or easy to find. Some of the rare species of Pionus parrots can be expensive. White-capped Pionus, Blue-headed Pionus, and Maximilian Pionus are among the more affordable options you can buy.
Senegal Parrots
Senegal parrots are among the less brightly colored parrots and have a serious look on their face. They have a charcoal gray head and bright yellow irises which gives them the appearance of being cold and aloof.
However, its personality is the opposite of what its look tells you. Senegal parrots are affectionate and gregarious birds that love to simply hang out with their owners without disturbing them.
They are not high energy and are quiet for most of the day, though they may let out loud calls occasionally. Senegals make great apartment birds for people who want a loyal pet. However, they do have the tendency to become one-person birds and get attached to their owners.
They are very smart species capable of learning fast and following commands. If you train them, they can grasp new tricks and commands fairly quickly. Even though Senegal are pretty calm, they do need a consistent supply of toys to chew on and stay busy
