The price of a talking parrot varies significantly based on the bird you wish to own. Budgerigars, the smallest talking parrots, are widely available for $30-50 from a local pet store or national chain.
If you’re looking for a larger parrot, you’ll likely have to spend $1,000-4,000. You’ll also need to pay for a cage, tray liners, perches, bowls, food, toys, cleaning products, vet bills, and pet insurance.
The rarer the parrot species, the more it’ll cost. Talking ability isn’t necessarily linked to price, as highly skilled talkers like the Indian ringneck and Quaker parrot can be bought for under $1,000.
When seeking a talking parrot, a reputable private breeder is usually the most reliable resource. Availability of more exotic species in pet stores will be limited, with most chains only offering budgies. An independent store may have a one-off species available.
Adopting a parrot from an animal shelter may lead to a lower asking price, or the bird may even be free. However, learn why the bird was rehomed in case of behavioral issues due to mistreatment.
How Much Does a Talking Parrot Cost?
How much you need to spend on a talking pet parrot depends on a range of factors, including its species, gender, rare markings, age, health, and conservation status.
Unique color mutations in the feathers will also attract higher asking prices.
Assuming you want a juvenile parrot in peak health, this table provides insight into the price you should expect to pay for popular species:
| Species | Talking Ability | Average Price | Avg. Lifespan |
| African grey parrot | Up to 1,000 words | $2,000 – $4,000 | 60 years |
| Amazon parrot | Over 100 words and phrases | $1,500 or more | 70 years |
| Blue-and-gold macaw | Around 20 words and phrases | $1,000 – $2,000 | 60 years |
| Budgerigar | Over 100 words | $30 – $50 | 10 years |
| Cockatoo | Up to 30 words | $1,200 – $3,000 | 40 – 50 years |
| Eclectus parrot | Over 120 words | $1,000 – $2,000 | 30 years |
| Hanh’s macaw | Around 50 words and phrases | $800 – $1,000 | 30 years |
| Indian ringneck | Over 100 words | $250 – $1,000 | 30 years |
| Quaker parrot | Up to 100 words | $300 – $1,000 | 30 years |
| Senegal parrot | Around 20 words and phrases | $800 – $1,500 | 50 years |
| Severe macaw | Around 50 words and phrases | $1,500 – $2,500 | 30 years |
| Sun conure | Up to 20 words | $800 or more | 30 years |
How Do I Choose a Talking Parrot?
Consider the following factors when selecting a pet parrot:
- Noise. Speech isn’t a parrot’s only noise because it may also scream, whistle, and squawk. Consider how neighbors may feel about a loud pet. Some pet parrots are quieter than others.
- Socialization. Very few parrots cope well with prolonged periods alone, and all of them can experience separation anxiety. Some parrots are more reliant on the owner’s company than others.
- Temperament. Every parrot has a unique personality, but certain species have core traits that should be considered to maximize the chances of bird-owner compatibility.
- Specialist care. Not all vets can meet the medical requirements of exotic pets like parrots. You may be out of luck if you live in a small town with limited veterinary options.
Consult an expert with hands-on knowledge before choosing a talking parrot. Animals stated that attempting to home exotic species without understanding their needs is dissatisfying for all involved.
Which Parrots Talk the Most?
The African grey parrot is the most skilled talker. With training, they can learn up to 1000 words and phrases. Untrained parrots will focus on making chirps, whistles, and copying appliance noises.
African grey needs interaction and training to encourage the use of human language. Failing to socialize with an African grey parrot may result in behavioral problems due to boredom and unhappiness.
What is the Cheapest Talking Parrot?
Budgerigars will top most people’s lists of low-price talking pet parrots.
These diminutive parrots are ideal for beginners because they’re considered lower maintenance than many larger birds and are readily available in most pet stores.
Despite their small size and price tag, budgies are skilled talkers. They don’t always have the clearest speaking voices (a little grainy) but can learn more unique words and phrases than most larger birds.
As budgies are so small and friendly, many people choose to care for more than one. While this will keep them happy, they’re likelier to communicate with each other in chirps and tweets.
What Is The Smallest Talking Macaw?
The Hahn’s macaw is the smallest true macaw in the world.
They’re 12-14 inches once fully grown but pack a larger bird’s personality into their frame. The Hahn’s macaw is regarded as a friendly parrot and among the most skilled talkers in the macaw family,
While this parrot can learn many words and phrases, not everybody will enjoy listening to a Hahn’s macaw. Their voice is a little raspy, which some find grating.
Do Male or Female Parrots Talk More?
It’s a common myth that only male parrots can speak. If you’re prepared to put effort into training a parrot to speak early in life, regardless of gender, you may or may not be rewarded.
However, there are differences between owning male and female parrots that are worth knowing.
Do Parrots Talk All Day?
You’re out of luck if you’re hoping for a quiet pet parrot that’ll speak when spoken to.
Parrots start their day by vocalizing enthusiastically. Some parrots periodically make noise throughout the day, but the noise usually diminishes after the sun rises.
The best way to maintain a positive dialog with a parrot is to regularly speak to them as you go about your day. Parrots love interacting with their owners.
The only time you should expect a parrot to stop chattering is after sunset when you cover the bird’s cage. Parrots need to avoid stimulation to get a good night of sleep.
Are Parrots Born Knowing How to Talk?
Parrots learn human words through listening and repetition. It’ll be some time before a parrot becomes verbal. Most parrots start to speak at 4-12 months old, depending on the species.
Small parrots communicate verbally much sooner than larger birds, primarily due to their shorter lifespans. For example, a budgie (American parakeet) lives only a fraction as long as an African grey.
It’s advisable to start teaching and training a parrot to speak early in life. A pet bird will acknowledge sounds before repeating them, leading to a broader vocabulary once speech is possible.
Why Do Some Parrots Not Talk?
While many people adopt parrots because they want a talking pet, there’s no guarantee that a parrot will repeat human words. Some parrots will never learn to speak because they were never taught.
Something is amiss if a once chatty parrot suddenly stops communicating. The parrot could be feeling unwell or have ceased communication as a punishment if it feels slighted or jealous.
What Is The Easiest Parrot to Teach to Talk?
Most, but not all, parrots can be trained to speak with the right level of exposure.
Parrots are all highly intelligent and enjoy the intellectual stimulation of learning a new skill. This includes mastering the mimicry of human words, phrases, and sentences.
If you set aside at least 15 minutes for vocal training, repeating this twice daily, you should see results eventually. Start with basic words before attempting full sentences.
Talk to the parrot throughout the day, even when not directly training. This will strengthen the bond with your bird, making it increasingly amenable to learning how to speak.
If a parrot holds affection for you, it’ll be increasingly keen to please you by repeating your words.
Where Can I Buy a Talking Parrot?
If you want to buy a talking parrot, you can find them in the following places:
Specialist Breeders
The simplest way to find a parrot that talks is to identify a licensed breeder in your area. An online search will reveal professional breeders close to your home and welcome you to initiate contact.
Buying a parrot from a breeder is the safest way to buy an avian pet. A breeder can provide a parrot’s medical history, tell you the bird’s age and bloodline, and answer any questions.
Before buying a talking parrot from a breeder, request a veterinary health certificate. This will confirm that your bird has been quarantined and assessed for common illnesses and diseases.
Breeders set the price for a parrot, so you may need to negotiate if you’re asked to pay a higher price tag than anticipated. If the parrot is a rare color mutation, this will lead to higher asking prices.
Pet Stores
With parrots becoming increasingly popular pets, many stores stock live birds and accessories. Your choices in a chain like PetCo or PetSmart are likelier to be limited.
Purchasing a budgie from a chain store normally means the bird is socialized and confident around humans. You’ll have access to all cages, accessories, and foodstuffs.
If you go to an independent pet store, you’re likelier to encounter rarer, larger species of parrots. An independent pet store should have an established relationship with a parrot breeder and be able to answer any questions you may have about the bird’s heritage.
Be wary of purchasing a bird from a pet store that can’t answer basic questions about the parrot.
Animal Rescue Centers
If you want to minimize the cost of a talking parrot, consider approaching an animal rescue shelter. These locations will offer rehomed parrots at low cost or free of charge.
Always find out why a parrot is being rehomed before agreeing to bring it home. In some cases, the bird will have outlived previous owners due to the human-like lifespans of parrots.
Unfortunately, many parrots are rehomed as previous owners can’t meet these birds’ complex care needs.
Not all states allow pet birds because they pose a risk to the ecosystem. Always check that parrots are legal to own where you live because heft fines are attached to illegal ownership.
