African Grey Parrot Price: How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Cost?

African grey parrots are medium-sized parrots sold by specialty bird breeders, and sometimes placed by rescues. They sit in the upper price tier of pet birds, and the bird is only part of the bill. A large cage, a steady supply of food and toys, and a veterinarian who sees birds all need money too.

This page splits the cost into the purchase price, one-time setup, monthly running costs, and vet care. Figures come from published guides with a check date of Oct 12, 2026.

Published guides give a wide range for the bird itself: $1,000 – $4,000 for a typical African grey. A young Congo African grey is listed at $1,000 – $1,500. Adopting a previously owned bird is listed at $500 – $1,000, and rescue adoption fees for medium to large parrots are listed at $100 – $500.

The gap between the low and high ends is large because sellers price on age, parentage, hand-raising, and demand. A higher price does not guarantee a healthier bird, so ask for records and ask how the bird was raised.

• Subspecies. Congo and Timneh African greys are different birds and sellers price them differently. Ask which one you are being offered.
• Age. Young birds and adult birds are priced on different bases.
• Seller type. Breeders, specialty bird shops, and rescues each charge differently.
• Hand-raising and records. Sellers who document how the bird was raised may charge more.
• Shipping and travel. Moving a live bird adds cost and is not offered by every seller.

Rescues and shelters sometimes have African greys that were given up by previous owners. Rescue fees are listed at $100 – $500 for medium to large parrots, and adopting a previously owned bird privately is listed at $500 – $1,000. These are well below the breeder range, though a rescue may have limited choice in age and history. Ask what the bird has been eating and how it has been housed, and ask whether the organization has an adoption contract you should read.

Setup includes the cage, perches, and other supplies. The cage is listed at $120, and cage setup items such as perches at $20 – $50. The overall figure for initial setup and supplies is $231 – $700.

If you buy an imported bird, an import permit is listed at $111 – $600. Rules around importing and owning birds depend on the species and the place, so check them before you buy. Cage size matters too, and replacing a cage that is too small costs more than buying the right one first. A bird veterinarian can tell you what suits the bird.

Monthly costs are dominated by food, toys, and insurance if you buy it. African greys eat a mix of pellets, seeds, and fresh produce, and the bills come regularly. They also chew through toys, so entertainment is a recurring line item.

Food is listed at $45 – $70/mo, toys and entertainment at $20 – $50/mo, and pet insurance at $20 – $40/mo. The published total monthly cost runs from $235 – $1,860/mo. That spread is very wide, and the high end may include one-time costs while the low end may reflect basic care only. Build your own monthly budget from the individual lines instead of relying on the total.

Not every clinic treats birds. An avian or exotic animal veterinarian is the right choice, and finding one before you bring a bird home saves time if something goes wrong.

An exotic vet visit is listed at $100 – $250. Emergency care is listed at $300 – $1,200. If you are weighing pet insurance, read the exclusions, since coverage for exotic pets varies from plan to plan.

Two guides can describe the same bird and reach different totals. One may price the bird alone, while another includes a large cage, a permit, a year of food, and insurance. The table below puts two published sources side by side.

Both sources describe the purchase price of the bird, and the ranges overlap at the high end. When you compare totals, check what each one counts.

• Is the bird a Congo or a Timneh, and how old is it?
• How was it raised, and has it seen an avian veterinarian?
• What is it eating now, and can you buy the same food locally?
• Is there a return or health policy?

Rules about keeping birds can differ by city, county, and rental agreement, and landlords and homeowners associations may have their own policies. Check your state and city rules, and your lease, before you bring a bird home.