Parakeet Price: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost?

Parakeets, also called budgies, are small, social birds that many first-time bird owners start with. The bird costs less than almost any other pet bird, and that low sticker price leads people to underestimate the rest of the budget. A cage, perches, toys, seed and pellet food, and the time a social bird needs are where the real expense lies.

This guide covers the retail price of a parakeet, how it compares with a cockatiel, and what to plan for beyond the bird. The figures come from PetSmart listings and a published price guide.

A common parakeet at a chain pet store has a posted price, and the price depends more on the type than on the store.

The two PetSmart listings in the table show fancy and green parakeets at the same posted price. The Vet Desk puts a typical bird at the low end of its range, and it notes that only a few species are listed on PetSmart's website. Live birds are generally sold in stores, so the price you see online may not match the one in your local branch. Stock changes, and sale promotions run from time to time. Call ahead before you drive to a store.

The range from The Vet Desk is wide because it covers every species PetSmart might carry, including larger birds. The single listing from PetSmart is for one common parakeet type. For a standard budgie, the PetSmart listing is the more direct number, and the guide's range tells you how much the price can rise if you want a different species.

Each route has trade-offs.

• Pet stores are convenient, and you see the bird in person. Ask where the birds come from and how long they have been in the store.
• Breeders may sell hand-tamed young birds, and they can often tell you the bird's age and parentage. Prices vary, and shipping live birds is not simple, so most buyers pick up locally.
• Bird rescues and humane societies place adult parakeets for a modest fee, often with the cage included.

Parakeets are social, and many keepers buy a pair so the birds have company. That doubles the purchase price but may lower the amount of attention a single bird needs from you. If you are choosing one bird, expect to spend time with it every day.

The purchase price is small beside the setup. A parakeet needs a cage large enough to spread its wings and fly short distances, with bar spacing suited to a small bird. It also needs perches of different widths, food and water dishes, toys that can be chewed, and a safe place to bathe. Many keepers add a play stand, cage cover, and a travel carrier.

Food is a recurring cost. A mixed diet of pellets, seed, and fresh vegetables is typical, and some owners buy in bulk. Cuttlebone and mineral supplements are small add-ons. Toys wear out quickly because parakeets chew them, so plan to replace them.

Prices for cages and supplies vary a lot by brand and size, so check your local store before you buy the bird. A starter kit is a convenient shortcut, though the cage in a kit can be small, and you may end up replacing it.

Birds hide illness, and a parakeet that stops eating or sits fluffed up needs prompt attention. Few general clinics see birds, so find an avian or exotic-animal veterinarian before you need one. A well-bird exam, when the clinic offers it, can catch problems early. Emergency visits for a small bird can cost as much as the bird and its cage together, which is why some owners keep a small savings fund.

Parakeets are quieter than larger parrots, but they chatter, and some are loud in the morning and evening. They also scatter seed hulls and feathers. Non-stick cookware coated with PTFE can release fumes that are dangerous to birds, and so can some aerosol sprays and scented candles. Keep the bird out of the kitchen, and ask an avian vet about other household hazards.