How Much Does a Cockatoo Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

The Cockatoo is known to form strong bonds with its owner and is known to be a wonderful companion to many.  The cockatoo is a very smart bird that is capable of doing many tricks and following commands.  The price of a cockatoo can vary depending on the type of bird, its age, rarity, health, documentation, its size and the breeder selling it.

Cockatoo by H.A.S PhotoDesigns~Heart+Soul~, on Flickr
Cockatoo” (CC BY 2.0) by  H.A.S PhotoDesigns~Heart+Soul~

How much does a cockatoo cost?

Because there are so many cockatoo species, the prices can be all over.  For most average purchases, plan on budgeting around $800 to $3,000, but it can be much higher if the species were rare.  Refer to our table below to see what the popular species may cost.

For example, the Sulphor Crested Cockatoo can cost $500 to $1,200, while the Blue-Eyed Cockatoo, on the other hand, can cost as much as $8,500 to more than $12,000.

A popular bird such as the Goffin can cost $700 to $1,200.

On BirdBreeders.com, an online bird classified website, the website has close to 50 listings at the time of this writing, with prices ranging from $1,100 to more than $4,000.

BusyBird.com claims the average Cockatoo can cost anywhere from $400 to as much as $30,000.

SpeciesAverage Price
Bare Eye$1,900
Black Palm$10,000
Citron Crested$1,500
Ducorps$1,900
Eleanora$1,500
Galah$2,000
Goffin$1,500
Greater Sulpher Crested$2,500
Major Mitchell$5,500
Moluccan$3,000
Rose Breasted$2,500
Triton$1,500
Umbrella$1,500

What is going to be included in the adoption fee?

At a minimum, the seller should include the health/registration paperwork, up-to-date vaccination and some sort of health guarantee.

What are the extra costs?

Cockatoos are different than most birds that you raise in a home.  For instance, the price of their bird toys and food can cost as much as $100 per month, making them one of the most expensive birds to raise.  In terms of food, make sure that you offer a lot of varieties.  These birds love to eat seeds, pellets, vegetables and different fruits.

Since these birds are used to being in flocks, it’s best to have more than one bird in the house.  This, however, will cost you twice as much, which is the reason that most people only have one.

A Cockatoo will require a roomy cage and a few perches inside.  When budgeting for a cage, plan on spending at least $450 to $1,400.  Generally, the larger the cage, the happier your bird will be.

Do not forget about the necessary/routine vet bills.  You may have a hard time finding a specialized vet to care for this bird, and because of this, the costs will be more than the costs for the average pet.

When you go away on vacation, it is important to think about a sitter.  These birds cannot stay alone for more than a few hours.  Again, it could be hard to find someone to watch this bird.  You may even need someone to check in on the bird once a day while you are at work.

Tips to know:

There are currently 17 different types of Cockatoo species.  The largest of the species is the Goliath Palm, while the smallest is the Goffin.

Most Cockatoos, regardless of the species, will range anywhere from 12 to 27 inches.

The typical lifespan of a Cockatoo can be as long as 65 years when in captivity.

No matter what type of species you plan on adopting, every single one will need attention throughout the day.  Never leave your parrot home for more than a few hours because they can stress out easily by plucking its feathers and cause stressful situations for the owner.  Because of how active they are, they will require a lot of time outside of the cage. If you cannot give a lot of attention, it is best you choose another type of bird or a completely different pet.  These birds crave a lot of attention since they are flock birds and are used to being in groups.

These birds love to chew.  If you keep your bird outside of the home, make sure that you pay close attention because they tend to chew on just about anything inside the house.

Out of most parrots that people keep as pets, the Cockatoo tends to be the loudest.  If you cannot stand loud noises for long increments throughout the day, it is probably best to consider another bird.  Also, if you live in a condo or apartment setting, it’s best to think about your neighbors as well as the noise can travel through the walls.

How can  I save money?

Check out a local rescue group or adoption center to see if a bird is available; however, be very careful when you adopt a Cockatoo from a local shelter.  If you do find one from a shelter, be sure to find out as much as you can about its past.  What you might find is that some breeders may have neglected the bird due to behavioral problems.


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