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how much is a rosella parrot?

How Much Does A Rosella Parrot Cost?

Last Updated on January 28, 2024 by Carrie Stephens

Rosella parrots feature vibrant colors and produce melodious whistling sounds. While not as affectionate as other pet birds, they can be trained to be sociable companions.

When buying a Rosella parrot from a breeder, expect to pay $300 – $600 for males and females. Eastern Rosellas (golden mantles) and Crimson Rosellas are the least expensive birds.

It’s usually cheaper to buy Rosella chicks (babies). By the time the parrot has reached 18 months old (sexual maturity), the price tag will have risen by an average of $100.

Green Rosellas are bigger parrots, and Pale-headed and Northern Rosellas are rarely bred. Consequently, they’re uncommon and command a slightly higher price tag (if you can find one).

Here are the current prices of Rosella parrots:

Type of RosellaApproximate Cost for 1 Rosella
(Age 4-12 months)
Approximate Cost for 1 Rosella
(Age 1-5 years)
Eastern Rosella$300 – 400$400 – 500
Western Rosella$300 – 400$400 – 500
Crimson Rosella$300 – 400$400 – 500
Green Rosella$400 – 500$500 – 600
Pale-headed Rosella$400 – 500$500 – 600
Northern Rosella$400 – 500$500 – 600

Affordable Ways To Buy A Rosella Parrot

Although inexpensive for parrots, Rosellas cost up to $600 from a breeder. So, it’s worth considering less expensive ways of buying a Rosella parrot.

Adopting a parrot from an animal shelter or bird sanctuary can reduce the cost of ownership.

Most shelters charge a $50- $150 adoption fee for a Rosella, which is significantly cheaper than buying a parrot from a breeder. Usually, rescue birds have had recent health check-ups from a vet.

Some rescue parrots have additional behavioral and health requirements, hence why they’ve been rehomed. For example, a bird may be untamable and bite more than usual.

Some birds have been rehomed due to changing circumstances, like affordability or a no-pets lease.

Buying A Pair of Rosellas

You may secure a modest discount if you buy a pair of Rosellas. For example, single Rosellas costing $400 each might be sold for $700 – $750 when purchased as a bonded pair.

Buying a bonded pair is recommended if you want to breed Rosellas. It’s also sensible if you lack time and want to ensure it has a companion.

It’s better to buy the bonded pair once they’ve reached sexual maturity (after 2 years) because breeders are more experienced in facilitating the right environment for bonded pairs to develop and thrive.

It can be challenging for hand-reared Rosellas to transition into breeding parrots. If you get a single Rosella at a young age and hand rear it, it could be harder to get it to breed later.

How much is a Rosella bird worth?

Rosella Parrot Cage Setup Costs

The cage setup cost for a single Rosella parrot living alone is $385 – $555. If you plan to keep a pair of Rosellas, the cost is $630 – $705.

It doesn’t include ongoing costs like food, vet bills, pet insurance, etc.

ItemCost (Single Rosella)Cost (Pair of Rosellas)Details
Travel Cage$40$60You’ll need a basic travel cage to bring Rosella(s) home/visit the vet safely.  
Cage$250-$400$400A single Rosella needs a 24 x 24 x 30-inch cage. For pairs, aim for 48 inches wide. The bars should be no wider than ½ inch.
Cage Liner$0-$5$0-$5You can use newspaper or paper towels, or specialist liners. Keep the cage floor clean, as Rosellas often dwell on the ground.
Cage Cover$25$50Helpful for creating darkness/calming the parrot.
Perches$40 – 60$60 – 100Several perches are needed for active Rosellas. Rosellas enjoy eucalyptus wood (Gum Tree).
Food/Drink Bowls$15-25$30-50If housing a pair, they must have individual bowls.
Bath$15 – 20$30 – 40Rosellas love bathing, so provide a bath.
                             TOTAL$385-555$630 – 705 

Although the initial investment in cage liners isn’t high, this is an ongoing cost because you’ll need to change the liner regularly.

This is important when caring for Rosellas. According to TandFOnline, Rosellas are susceptible to beak and feather disease virus infection. Keeping the cage clean may prevent disease.

There are additional tools. Nail scissors cost $15 and allow you to perform nail clipping at home.

Ongoing Expenses (Monthly)

Expect to spend about $29 on a Rosella monthly. However, this could rise to $113 if you opt for more comprehensive vet insurance and specialized toys.  

ExpensesApprox cost for 1 RosellaDetails
Food$15-20Quality seeds, pellets, fruits, and veggies.
Treats$2-8According to CSIRO, apples, pears, plums, and nectarines are natural treats Rosella parrots would encounter in the wild.
Toys / New Perches$5-25Rosellas are intelligent and active, so toys are crucial.
Cleaning Supplies$0-10Bird-safe cleaning products can prevent avian diseases.
Insurance$7-30Cheap pet insurance policies meet the cost of basic treatment, whereas expensive policies cover more conditions.
Additional Medical costs$0-20Basic medicinal needs. Set money aside because expenses are rarely gradual.
                       TOTAL$29 – 113 


The money you spend on a Rosella varies each month. You might buy food and cleaning products in bulk, then go a month or two without replenishing them. Set aside at least $29 a month.

Heating

Rosella parrots prefer the temperature to be 64-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius).

They can tolerate lower temperatures, down to 40F (4 Celsius), but not for extended periods. If your home is cold and drafty, you’ll need to turn up the heating, which will cost more money.  

You can purchase a pet thermometer for about $15 to check the temperature.

rosella parrot price

Lighting

Rosella parrots hail from Australia, so they’re used to bright sunshine. Sunlight is vital for parrots because it enables their bodies to create vitamin D3 after preening themselves.

If you can safely let a Rosella out in the sun for 15 minutes daily, you may not need a UVA/B light. Unfortunately, the sun’s UV rays can’t penetrate double-glazing.

You may need a specialist lamp if a parrot isn’t exposed to direct sunlight. A parrot-safe UVA/B light costs about $60-80. You should also budget for the extra electricity needed to run it.

Supplementing a Rosella parrot’s diet with vitamin D may suffice. However, some scientists believe it isn’t a genuine replacement for natural UVA rays from the sun (or a UVA/B lamp).

Pet Sitting

If you like to travel or spend time away from home, consider who’ll care for the parrot while you’re gone.

If you don’t have a family to assist, budget for pet-sitting duties. Rosellas can be pretty nervy, so choose a pet sitter who is confident and knowledgeable about parrots.

Things To Consider Before Getting A Rosella Parrot

Rosella parrots are relatively easy to care for because they’re more self-sufficient than many. They rarely become clingy and can entertain themselves for long stretches of the day if given toys and enrichment.

There are some things to consider before getting a pet Rosella parrot:

  • Don’t mix well – According to Barriervets, although Rosellas can live in pairs, they don’t mix well with other parrots. Rosellas can be aggressive toward some birds, especially ring-necked parakeets.
  • Water can get everywhere – Rosellas (especially Crimsons) love to bathe, so get a good bath and clean this regularly. Keep a Rosella parrot’s space free from spills to prevent mold growth.
  • Need exercise – Rosellas are active and need regular exercise.
  • Don’t usually talk – Rosellas are among the least talkative parrots.
  • Quiet home – Rosellas prefer a quiet environment, especially as they wind down.

Be prepared for the additional costs a Rosella may introduce. If the outside temperature dips, you may need to increase the central heating, which could add to your utility bills.