Last Updated on: 20th November 2023, 11:22 pm
Some parrots are easier to breed than others. How much you spend on a talking parrot depends on its species, gender, rare colors and markings, age, health, and conservation status.
Small birds like budgerigars (budgies) can be bought for $20 to $50 at local and national pet stores. Large parrots, like macaws and African grays, cost $1,000 to $3,500.
Talking ability isn’t necessarily correlated to the price tag. Skilled talkers like the Indian ringneck and Quaker parrot can be bought for under $1,000.
Adopting a parrot from an animal shelter rather than a breeder may lower the asking price. Unfortunately, it’s common for rescue animals to have behavioral problems, so find out about the bird’s history.
How Much Does a Talking Parrot Cost?
This table details the price of popular talking parrot species:
| Parrot Species | Talking Ability | Average Price | Average Lifespan |
| African gray parrots | Up to 1,000 words | $1,500 to $3,500 | 40 to 60 years |
| Amazon parrots | Up to 250 words | $1,500 to $3,000 | 40 to 70 years |
| Blue-and-gold macaws | 10 to 20 words | $1,500 – $3,000 | 30 to 35 years |
| Budgerigars | Up to 1000 words | $20 to $50 | 7 to 15 years |
| Cockatoos | 10 to 30 words | $600 to $1,500 | 50 to 80 years |
| Eclectus parrots | Up to 250 words | $1,250 to $2,000 | 30 to 50 years |
| Hanh’s macaws | Around 50 words | $650 to $2,000 | 20 to 30 years |
| Indian ringnecks | 200 to 250 words | $300 to $600 | 20 to 30 years |
| Quaker parrots | 50 to 60 words | $300 to $900 | 20 to 30 years |
| Senegal parrots | 15 to 20 words | $600 to $800 | 30 to 50 years |
| Severe macaws | 20 to 30 words | $1,500 to $2,500 | 30 to 50 years |
| Sun conures | 10 to 20 words | $600 to $800 | 20 to 30 years |
How Do I Choose a Talking Parrot?
Consider the following factors when selecting a pet parrot:
- Noise level. Parrots may also scream, whistle, and squawk. Some pet parrots are quieter than others.
- Socialization. Few parrots cope well with prolonged periods alone, experiencing separation anxiety.
- Temperament. All parrots have unique personalities, but some species have core traits that should be considered to maximize the chances of bird-owner compatibility.
Consult an expert 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 gray parrot is the most skilled talker. With training, they can learn up to 1000 words. However, untrained parrots will make chirps, whistles, and copy appliance noises.
What is the Cheapest Talking Parrot?
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 words 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 12-14 inches but has a large bird’s personality. It’s considered a friendly parrot and among the most skilled talkers in the macaw family,
While Hahn’s macaws can learn up to 50 words, 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 put effort into training a parrot to talk early in life, regardless of gender, you may be rewarded.
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 diminishes once the sun rises.
The best way to maintain a positive dialog with a parrot is to speak to them as you go about your day because they like interacting with their owners.
A parrot stops vocalizing after sunset once you’ve covered the bird’s cage.
Are Parrots Born Knowing How to Talk?
Wild parrots communicate through body language and vocalizations, not human speech.
Parrots can learn human words through listening and repetition. Most parrots start to speak at 4-12 months old, depending on the species and level of training.
Teaching a parrot to speak early in life is likelier to yield positive results. Older parrots can learn to talk, but it isn’t easy once a bird develops a liking for making other sounds.
Why Do Some Parrots Not Talk?
Many people adopt parrots because they want a talking pet. However, there’s no guarantee that a parrot will repeat human words.
Some parrot species aren’t talkers; others never learn to speak because they were never taught.
Something is amiss if a once chatty parrot suddenly stops communicating. The parrot could be unwell or have ceased communication if it feels slighted or jealous.
What Is The Easiest Parrot to Teach to Talk?
Many parrot species can be trained to speak with exposure.
Parrots are intelligent and enjoy the intellectual stimulation of learning a new skill. This includes mastering the mimicry of human words and phrases.
Set aside at least 15 minutes for vocal training, repeating this twice daily. Start with basic words.
Talk to the parrot during the day, even when not training them. This will strengthen the bond, making it more amenable to learning how to speak.
If a parrot has affection for you, it’ll be 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 at these places:
Specialist Breeders
The best way to find a parrot that talks is through a licensed local breeder. They can provide the parrot’s medical history, let you know the bird’s age and bloodline, and answer questions.
Request a veterinary health certificate to confirm the bird has been quarantined and assessed for common avian illnesses and diseases.
Pet Stores
With parrots becoming popular pets, many stores stock live birds and accessories. Your options at a chain like PetCo or PetSmart will likely be limited.
Purchasing a budgie from a chain store means the bird will be socialized around humans. You’ll also have access to various cages, accessories, and foods.
If you go to an independent pet store, you’re likelier to encounter rarer, larger species of parrots.
A pet store should have an established relationship with a parrot breeder and be able to answer questions about the bird’s heritage.
Animal Rescue Centers
Animal rescue shelters offer rehomed parrots at a low price or free of charge.
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 their human-like lifespans.
Many parrots are rehomed as previous owners can’t meet these birds’ complex care needs.
Not all states allow specific pet birds because they pose a risk to the ecosystem. Check that parrots are legal to own where you live because hefty fines can be incurred for illegal ownership.
