How Much Does a Parakeet Cost?
A parakeet, commonly referred to as budgies or budgerigars, is a term for any one of a large number of unrelated species of parrots. In general, birds that can be referred to as a parakeet will have a long tail and will be much smaller than their parrot cousins such as a Cockatoo or Macaw.
Parakeets are usually found in warm regions and are typically found in large flocks. Parakeets have a lot of energy and are very social with each other and with people. They are mostly bred by their owners and are often sold once they multiply.
How much does a parakeet cost?
On average, a parakeet can cost anywhere from $20 to more than $400; however, most parakeet purchases at a local pet store will be less than $70. The price of a parakeet depends on its specific breed, the breeder, the age of the bird and quality.
Parakeets at Petco, for instance, retail for about $5 to $29, depending on the time of year and species you adopt.
For example, a normal scarlet chested parakeet can cost anywhere from $125 to $600, while a rosy Bourke can cost anywhere from $75 to $110; a Rubino female can cost upwards of $800. With so many species on the market, refer to our table below to see what the most popular types cost.
| Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Blue Parakeet | $10 to $60 |
| Bourke Parakeet | $100 to $300 |
| Budgerigars | $70 to $175 |
| Canary-wing Parakeet | $275 to $400 |
| Grass Scarlet Chested (Splendid) | $225 to $350 |
| Grass Turquoisine Parakeet | $275 to $400 |
| Indian Ringneck Parakeet | $225 to $550 |
| Lineolated Parakeet | $150 to $300 |
| Monk Parakeet | $50 to $200, depending on color |
| Mustache Parakeet | $400 to $550 |
| Purple Parakeet | $15 to $60 |
| Red Rumped Parakeet | $400 to $600 |
| Rosella Northern Parakeet | $500 to $700 |
What are the extra costs?
A high-quality pellet seed, fruits and a mix of green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and lettuce, are recommended for a healthy diet. It’s also recommended you supplement the bird’s diet with a mineral block or multivitamin supplement. Experts recommend you plan on spending $50 to $75 per year per bird and 70 percent of its diet should be a specialized pellet blend. Avoid feeding the bird fruit seeds, chocolate or even avocado as these can cause serious medical conditions. It should be fed once a day and will eat about two to four teaspoons.
With any pet bird, a cage is highly recommended unless you want it fly away when you’re not around. Try to find the largest and sturdiest cage to allow your bird to freely fly for shorter distances. Parakeets will prefer taller cages with a lot of feeding dishes, swings and perches for entertainment, and at a minimum, it should be at least 18 inches wide, tall and long, made of either stainless steel or a non-galvanized steel. A good cage with the right amount of room can cost as little as $50 used to as much as $750 for a premium cage made from durable materials. Its housing should never drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or be warmer than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
To prevent your bird from being bored, toys, such as balls, bells and mirrors, are highly recommended. Depending on which toys you buy, $30 to $50 should be enough to purchase toys your bird can enjoy. When worn, these toys should be replaced.
Perches, which should measure at least four inches long, should be spread out in the cage. These perches can often come with the cage, but if it has to be purchased separately, it can be another $5 to $10 each.
A substrate is highly recommended for the metal tray that sits beneath the cage as this will make up for easier cleaning. This could include anything from shredded newspaper to a substrate you can buy online
Just like cats and dogs, a parakeet will need to see the vet for routine and surprise visits. Depending on the visit, fees can range as little as $50 for a checkup to as much as $200+ for diagnosing an illness.
Types of parakeets:
Parakeets can be broken down into different groups. One group — the Asiatic Parakeets — will include the Indian Ringneck, Moustache, Alexandrine and Plum-Headed. These parakeets will come from Indonesia, India and nearby areas. Another group — the Grass Parakeets — will originate from Australia and will include the Bourke, Scarlet Chested, Splendid and Rosella. All parakeets within this group will have similar traits and body structure. Excluded from these groups include the Lineolated, Red Rump, and while heavily disputed, some consider the Conure as a parakeet as well.
Tips to know:
The average lifespan is eight to 30 years.
Most parakeets are about seven inches in length.
The bird can come in a variety of colors, but the most common will be green and yellow. Some breeders, however, have been able to produce a wide variety of colors such as blue.
These type of birds love to have other birds as company. If you’re going to purchase one, consider getting a cage full of them so they can be socially interactive and happy. Unless you’re home quite often and can pay close attention to the bird most of the day, then one bird can work; however, keep in mind it will take a lot of work.
Unless a nesting box is inside the cage, they won’t attempt to breed.
Be sure to vary their food as parakeets can grow old of the same old bird seed. It’s best to look for treats and other healthier alternatives to mix it up.
Since these birds are rather playful, consider getting toys for them to play within the cage. These toys can include anything from a simple swing to a bell that makes a noise. Like food, try to mix up their toys to keep them active.
Never attempt to grab this bird aggressively; instead, allow it to walk onto your fingertip. By gaining your trust, these birds will do it with ease.
To know the sex of a parakeet, pay close attention to the nose band, known as a cere. A female will have a brown cere, while most males will have either a blue or pink cere.
Common health conditions can include chlamydiosis, diarrhea, feather plucking and mites.
The parakeet is known to be very intelligent and can even mimic human voice much better than a parrot can.
A video of a parakeet talking
How can I save money?
These birds are commonly available at the local Humane Society or a bird shelter. For a small re-homing fee, usually around $25 to $40, this is a great way to help save a bird.
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Average Reported Cost: $133
How much did you spend?
- Olivia Myers (Arnold, Missouri) paid $19 and said:
Budgies cost between $15 and $23 around where I live in Missouri.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Lyndan morgan paid $247 and said: said:
I love my pet parakeet his name is maverik jr. I have him in my room sometimes i let him out but when i fall asleep he sleeps on my chest my friend will come over and maverik will say hello because i tought him that.
Was it worth it? Yes
