African Grey Parrots are one of the most sought-after parrots thanks to their gorgeous appearance. Read this article to learn why they are so expensive.
African Grey Parrots are one of the most popular species of parrot thanks to their beautiful appearance and good nature that makes them a great companion for any home.
However, one thing that the African Grey Parrot is known for is the high expense that comes with it from the initial payment made to purchase the bird to the costs of maintenance and medical care, it’s essential that you are aware of the expense before making your purchase.
In this guide, we’ll be delving into why the African Grey Parrot is so expensive and what has made it such an in-demand bird, and whether they are worth the expense.
Are African Grey Parrots expensive? If so why?
Compared to the majority of other parrot species, African Grey Parrots are a lot more expensive on average due to the costs of gaining legal ownership of the parrot. This means that the initial cost of the African Grey Parrot is particularly large.
Another reason why the African Grey Parrot is so expensive is the high costs of maintenance throughout the bird’s life. They live for an average of 50 years, which is expected of parrots as all parrots tend to have long lifespans.
However, due to the large size of the African Grey Parrot, the cost of cleaning equipment to tidy the cage and properly maintain the parrot can be very expensive as well as other cost factors such as food.
Lastly, another factor that drives up the cost of the African Grey Parrot is the high demand for them. Thanks to their highly intelligent and charming nature, there is a high demand for this parrot, which in turn has turned up the initial price to adopt these birds.
Why Should I Buy An African Grey Parrot?
So you know why African Grey Parrots are so expensive, and you may be asking yourself “why should I buy an African Grey Parrot if they cost so much?”
There are many reasons why these birds are special and worth the consideration. In this section, we’ll be delving into what makes these parrots special and why you should buy one:
Firstly, the African Grey Parrot is known for their wonderful personality and behavior as they are charming and intelligent, while also boasting a high level of talking and mimicking ability which is ideal for those looking for a parrot that can talk.
They grow attached to their human owners and love to be sociable meaning that they are a great choice for those with busy households, especially when their cage is placed in an area of high traffic.
The African Grey Parrot makes a great companion thanks to their talking ability and is a remarkable choice for the majority of households.
They can be left on their own for long periods of time unlike other parrot species as they enjoy being in their own company, but also love it when they get to spend time with their human owners meaning that you can create your own routine when it comes to spending some time with your African Grey Parrot.
What Affects The Price Of An African Grey Parrot?
As stated above, there are many factors that influence the price of the African Grey Parrot. If you have decided that this gorgeous parrot is the right pet for you, then here are some factors that you need to be aware of when conducting your own research as they can impact the price that you pay for the bird:
Age
The first thing that you need to think about is the age of the African Grey Parrot when you buy it.
This is because African Grey chicks tend to cost more than older ones as you will own the African Grey for a longer period of time if you purchase one while it is young.
Another reason why age is a factor is that baby African Grey Parrots require a lot of initial care while older African Grey Parrots eat more food.
Appearance
Another important factor is the appearance of the African Grey Parrot. One of the reasons that they are so popular is their appearance so depending on how desirable their physical attributes are, the price can increase accordingly.
Genetics
Following on from appearance is genetics as a purebred African Grey Parrot is going to be among the most expensive parrot species that you can purchase.
However, if the African Grey Parrot has been bred from a subspecies, this can cause a decrease in the price.
Location
Lastly, the location of the African Grey Parrot can impact the price depending on the demand vs availability of the bird in the area.
The African Grey Parrot is native to Western Africa meaning that sourcing the bird in this area is easy and therefore decreases the price, however, in America, the price automatically increases because the African Grey Parrot is not readily available in these parts and there are many laws and regulations that need to be followed.
How Much Does An African Grey Parrot Cost?
You’ve decided that after considering the above factors you want to go ahead and purchase an African Grey Parrot. But how much does it actually cost?
Well, the average price of the African Grey Parrot is between $1500 and $3500 depending on whether you purchase the bird from a pet store or a private breeder.
Even at the lower end of the average price point, the African Grey Parrot is still an expensive bird, and you also need to consider that there are additional costs for maintenance including the cage, food, and pet insurance to name a few.
Are The African Grey Parrots Good Pets?
African Grey Parrots are known for their intelligence which makes them wonderful pets and suitable for a variety of households, including families. For those looking for an avian pet that is going to live for years to come, an African Grey Parrot is a great choice thanks to its maturity and longevity.
How Long Does The African Grey Parrot Live?
The African Grey Parrot lives between 50 and 70 years in captivity, meaning that they are a wonderful choice for those wanting a pet that is going to live for years to come.
Bear in mind that the African Grey Parrot will live longer provided that it is being properly cared for and living with a high quality of life.
There are even some African Grey Parrots known to live for up to 80 years when they are properly taken care of.
Is Raising An African Grey Parrot Expensive?
The most important part of purchasing an African Grey Parrot is knowing the expenses that come with it.
The initial cost of the African Grey Parrot is a lot of money, but there are other costs that you will need to account for across the bird’s 50 to 70-year life. Here are some of the main costs that you need to be aware of when purchasing an African Grey Parrot:
Cage
Firstly, you will need to make sure that you purchase a proper cage for your African Grey Parrot.
There are instances when the cage will come with the purchase of your African Grey Parrot, but in the case that a cage is not included, you need to make sure that you purchase a proper cage that gives the birds plenty of space to move around.
Due to their large size, you will need to buy a bigger cage for your African Grey Parrot and these do not come cheap, so you may want to consider purchasing a cage second-hand if you find that the cost is a little too high.
Diet
Secondly, you need to consider the African Grey Parrot’s diet. In order to promote a long and healthy life for your bird, you need to make sure that you are providing it with good quality food that is going to provide it with all the necessary nutrients it needs to thrive.
African Grey Parrots thrive on a diet that consists of seed mixes, quality pellets, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.
This is not something that is optional as the diet is one of the most important parts of the African Grey Parrot maintenance and care.
Medical Treatments
Thirdly, keeping your African Grey Parrot safe from any sickness or disease is of the utmost importance.
Not only does this mean that your bird will live a healthy and long life without any pain and suffering, but sickness and disease result in medical treatment which can be extremely costly.
You may want to consider taking out insurance on your African Grey Parrot, especially if you are purchasing an older one as this can help to reduce the price of any medical treatments that they receive in the long run.
Toys
Lastly, African Grey Parrots are prone to boredom and therefore need to be kept engaged. The best way to do this is by purchasing toys and perches for your pet and swapping them out on a regular basis.
This will ensure that they keep themselves occupied when you are not allowed, while also meaning that they are mentally stimulated resulting in a happy and healthy bird.
The great thing about purchasing toys for your African Grey Parrot is that they don’t have to cost the Earth, meaning that you don’t have to spend lots of time and money sourcing things for them to play with.
Conclusion
In conclusion, African Grey Parrots are expensive, but there are a variety of reasons why this is.
Make sure that you have considered all the points raised in this guide before making your final decision as this will help you to determine whether the African Grey Parrot is suitable for you.
Harlan Derricks, nice to meet you. I created this online resource in the hopes of educating more people about the wonders of parrots, including their species, sizes, and more.
But I don’t just want to stop with parrots. I want to give every bird an opportunity to be marveled at and rescued by my education. If just one of my readers learned something valuable about budgies, cockatiels, or parakeets, then I’d be happy with my success.
