African grey parrot Cost: Price, Setup and Yearly Cost (2026)

Where the money goes each year

A typical year for an african grey parrot, with typical spending in an average-cost area, no insurance.

Illness and injury (average)$400
Replacement toys (greys shred them)$300
Fresh vegetables, fruit and treats$200
Yearly bloodwork (CBC and chemistry)$140
Annual avian-vet wellness exam$120
Cage liners / paper$90
Pellets$80
Replacement perches$45
Nail trims and beak care (as needed)$35
Typical year$1,410

Most years land between $930 and $2,390. Items replaced on a cycle are spread across the years.

Setup and the first year

For african grey parrots, the equipment usually costs far more than the animal.

Getting set up

Price (breeder or bird store (captive-bred))$4,250
Large-parrot cage (about 32 x 23 in or bigger)$411
Perches in varied diameters (3)$65
Extra food, fresh-food and water dishes$30
Starter toys (5–6 large-bird toys)$100
Cage cover$40
Travel carrier (for vet trips)$60
New-bird exam with an avian vet$120
New-bird tests (bloodwork, fecal, swabs, disease PCRs)$200
Upfront$5,280

Running costs in year one

Pellets$80
Fresh vegetables, fruit and treats$200
Replacement toys (greys shred them)$300
Replacement perches$45
Cage liners / paper$90
Illness and injury (average)$400
Year-one running costs$1,120

First-year total: $6,390. Adopting instead brings it to about $4,090.

Make it your estimate

Change the choices that move the price most. Totals update as you go.

What to buy

The gear and supplies in this estimate, matched to an african grey parrot. Each link searches Amazon for the right type and size.

Large-parrot cage (about 32 x 23 in or bigger)Setup, typically about $411
See on Amazon
Perches in varied diameters (3)Setup, typically about $65
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Extra food, fresh-food and water dishesSetup, typically about $30
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Starter toys (5–6 large-bird toys)Setup, typically about $100
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Cage coverSetup, typically about $40
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Travel carrier (for vet trips)Setup, typically about $60
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PelletsOngoing, typically about $80 a year
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Cage liners / paperOngoing, typically about $90 a year
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As an Amazon Associate, PetPriceTag earns from qualifying purchases. Buying through these links costs you nothing extra and never changes our cost figures.

Health costs to plan for

Condition	What it is	Typical treatment	Cost
Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia)	Merck says acute hypocalcemia is more common in birds on all-seed diets, 'especially African grey parrots,' and causes weakness, tremors and seizures; Lafeber lists calcium deficiency for greys. Source	Emergency exam (about $320 to start, per ThePricer), calcium injections and oral calcium, bloodwork, a bird UV lamp and diet change; hospitalization ($300–$2,000+) for seizuring birds	$320–$2,000
Feather picking	Lafeber says greys are especially susceptible to feather picking, and Merck calls them the parrot most likely to have behavior problems; medical causes have to be ruled out first. Source	Exam, CBC/chemistry ($80–$200), disease PCRs and sometimes X-rays, then treatment of the cause, enrichment and rechecks	$250–$1,000
Vitamin A deficiency and respiratory infection	Lafeber lists vitamin A deficiency and respiratory infection for greys; Merck says vitamin A deficiency is common in seed-fed birds and shows as nasal discharge, sneezing and breathing trouble. Source	Exam, swabs or culture, antibiotics for secondary infection and a switch to pellets	$150–$600
Psittacosis (chlamydiosis)	Lafeber lists psittacosis for greys and Merck notes a nervous-system form most often reported in African greys and cockatoos; it can spread to people. Source	Exam, Chlamydia PCR ($21 lab fee before markup) and a prolonged antibiotic course with retest; severe cases need hospitalization	$160–$500
Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD)	Lafeber lists PBFD for greys; VCA lists circovirus testing among new-bird screens. There is no cure, so testing before purchase is the cheap part. Source	Circovirus PCR ($21–$35 lab fee before markup) and supportive care for secondary infections	$100–$600

The yearly estimate includes an average of $400 for illness and injury. Insurance is available for this pet; turn it on in the calculator to compare.

What drives the cost

Purchase price swings widely: one Texas listing asked $2,000 for an adult male and $3,400 for a hand-reared young grey, Florida listings ran $3,499–$8,500, and an Illinois store priced baby Congos at $8,500 and Timnehs at $6,500 (BirdsNow, Oct 2026).
The cage is a large-parrot purchase: Chewy's care sheet asks for about 40 x 30 x 60 in, and play-top cages sized for greys run about $410–$460, with stainless models near $1,000.
Merck and Lafeber both flag low blood calcium and vitamin A deficiency in greys on seed diets, so pellets plus beta-carotene vegetables are cheaper than the emergency visits those cause.
Large-bird toys cost $15–$40 each (Super Bird Creations at Chewy) and greys shred them; The Vet Desk budgets $20–$50 a month for entertainment.
Greys are the bird Merck calls most prone to behavior problems; feather picking means repeated exams and lab tests, so budget for enrichment and time, not just vet bills.

Is it legal where you live?

No US state ban on African greys was found. The species was voted onto CITES Appendix I in 2016, which bars international commercial trade, and the US stopped commercial imports of wild-caught parrots in 1992, so greys sold in the US should be domestically captive-bred; ask the seller for proof the bird was bred in the US. Hawaii admits only birds on its import lists, so check with its Plant Quarantine Branch first.

Cities and counties can have their own rules. Check locally before you buy.

Breeder or bird store (captive-bred): $2,000–$6,500
Bird rescue: $500–$2,800
Lifetime: $61,400

How this estimate is built

Every line, with the typical, thrifty and generous figures and where each comes from.

Item	Typical	Range	Basis and sources
Setup
Large-parrot cage (about 32 x 23 in or bigger)	$411	$162–$1,000	Chewy's care sheet recommends about 40 x 30 x 60 in with bars no wider than 3/4 in. Typical: A&E Play Top Medium, $410.89 at Chewy (its size chart lists the Medium, 32 x 23 x 66 in, for African greys); A&E Majestic Small, listed for greys, is $455.73. Low: Yaheetech 69-in Parrot Cage, listed for greys, $161.98. High: Prevue Playtop Stainless Steel Large, $999.99. Chewy: African Grey Care Sheet (cage about 40 x 30 x 60 in, bars no wider than 3/4 in); Chewy: Parrot bird cages search (A&E Play Top Medium $410.89; size guide); Chewy: A&E Cage Company Play Top Bird Cage, Small ($229.99; 24 x 22 x 62 in; size chart by species); Chewy: Best bird cages 2026 (Yaheetech 69-in $161.98; A&E Majestic Small $455.73; Prevue Playtop Stainless Large $999.99); Chewy: Prevue Playtop Bird Cage, Stainless Steel, Large ($999.99; Amazons and African greys)
Perches in varied diameters (3)	$65	$22–$90	Polly's Hardwood Bird Perch, Large (1.25-in diameter, listed for Amazons and African greys), is $21.79 at Chewy; The Vet Desk gives $5–$30 per perch. Typical = 3 perches. Chewy: Polly's Hardwood Bird Perch (X-Small $20.45, Small $16.53, Large $21.79); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Extra food, fresh-food and water dishes	$30	$15–$45	Chewy's care sheet calls for three bowls (dry food, fresh food and a water dish big enough to bathe in); The Vet Desk gives $5–$15 per dish. Chewy: African Grey Care Sheet (cage about 40 x 30 x 60 in, bars no wider than 3/4 in); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Starter toys (5–6 large-bird toys)	$100	$40–$160	Super Bird Creations large-bird toys at Chewy: Woodpile Large/X-Large $39.99, Bagel Cascade Large $14.96, both listed for African greys. Typical = a mix of five or six. Chewy: Super Bird Creations Woodpile Bird Toys, Large/X-Large ($39.99; African greys); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Bagel Cascade Bird Toy, Large ($14.96; African greys)
Cage cover	$40	$25–$50	Prevue Good Night cover, X-Large, $39.99; Prevue cover, Large, $24.99 (Chewy). The Vet Desk gives $15–$50+. Chewy: African grey cage accessories (covers $24.99–$39.99, carriers $32.39–$113.99, T3 paper liner $44.99); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Travel carrier (for vet trips)	$60	$33–$114	A&E soft-sided travel carrier, Large, $59.60; Halinfer travel carrier $32.39; K&H Mod bird carrier $113.99 (Chewy's African grey accessories). The Vet Desk prices a travel cage at $80 if one isn't included with the bird. Chewy: African grey cage accessories (covers $24.99–$39.99, carriers $32.39–$113.99, T3 paper liner $44.99); The Vet Desk: African Grey Parrot Cost (Jan 2026)
First year
New-bird exam with an avian vet	$120	$90–$250	VCA advises a first avian-vet visit within 1–2 weeks of bringing a bird home. The Gentle Vets (Green Bay, WI) lists bird wellness exams from $107.62 and consultations from $118.39 (Feb 2026); ThePricer found Exotic Pet Vets wellness exams at $90–$115 and a 2026 survey average of $145 for an avian-vet exam, with a $75–$200 wellness range. VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62, beak trim $93.53; Feb 2026); ThePricer: How Much Do Quaker Parrots Cost? (updated Sep 2026); ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026)
New-bird tests (bloodwork, fecal, swabs, disease PCRs)	$200	$60–$350	VCA lists a CBC and chemistry panel, fecal exam, choanal/cloacal swabs and, where warranted, chlamydiosis, polyomavirus, bornavirus and circovirus (PBFD) tests. The UGA lab charges vets $21 per Chlamydia, polyomavirus or circovirus PCR, $26 for a bornavirus RT-PCR and $21 for DNA sexing, before clinic markup; ThePricer puts bloodwork at $80–$200. Low = fecal plus one PCR; high = full panel. Typical is set higher than for small birds because a CBC and chemistry panel are worth getting on a bird this expensive. VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; UGA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab: Avian submission form and prices (Oct 2024); ThePricer: How Much Do Quaker Parrots Cost? (updated Sep 2026)
Every year
Pellets	$80	$45–$265	ZuPreem's guide is 1/2 cup a day for African greys; Harrison's lists 15–30 g a day for Amazons, a similar-size parrot, which is about 12–24 lb a year. Low: 12 lb from ZuPreem's 35-lb bag ($129.99, $3.72/lb) ≈ $45. Typical: about 18 lb of ZuPreem from 17.5-lb bags ($77.99) ≈ $80. High: 24 lb of Harrison's Adult Lifetime Coarse from 25-lb bags ($262.94). Chewy: ZuPreem FruitBlend Parrot & Conure (17.5 lb $77.99, 35 lb $129.99; feeding guide); Chewy: Harrison's Adult Lifetime Coarse (5 lb $63.59, 25 lb $262.94; feeding guide)
Fresh vegetables, fruit and treats	$200	$80–$400	LOW CONFIDENCE. Chewy's care sheet says pellets should be 60–70% of the diet and the rest fresh fruit, vegetables and grains; Lafeber recommends beta-carotene vegetables such as sweet potato and kale for greys. The Vet Desk puts total grey food at $45–$70 a month ($540–$840 a year); typical assumes about $17 a month of produce and treats on top of pellets. Chewy: African Grey Care Sheet (cage about 40 x 30 x 60 in, bars no wider than 3/4 in); Lafeber: African Grey species profile; The Vet Desk: African Grey Parrot Cost (Jan 2026)
Replacement toys (greys shred them)	$300	$150–$600	The Vet Desk budgets $20–$50 a month ($240–$600 a year) for grey entertainment and toys. Typical = about 12 large toys a year at $15–$40 each (Super Bird Creations at Chewy); low = cheaper or homemade chew toys. The Vet Desk: African Grey Parrot Cost (Jan 2026); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Woodpile Bird Toys, Large/X-Large ($39.99; African greys); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Bagel Cascade Bird Toy, Large ($14.96; African greys)
Replacement perches	$45	$22–$65	Greys chew wooden perches. Typical = two Polly's Large hardwood perches a year at $21.79 (Chewy); high = three. Chewy: Polly's Hardwood Bird Perch (X-Small $20.45, Small $16.53, Large $21.79)
Cage liners / paper	$90	$45–$180	Prevue T3 paper cage liner, 21.5 in x 100 ft, is $44.99 at Chewy; The Vet Desk puts bird bedding at $50–$360 a year. Typical = two rolls a year for a large cage; low = one roll plus newspaper. Chewy: African grey cage accessories (covers $24.99–$39.99, carriers $32.39–$113.99, T3 paper liner $44.99); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Annual avian-vet wellness exam	$120	$90–$290	VCA says birds need at least one checkup a year and many vets recommend two. Typical = one exam. The Gentle Vets (Green Bay, WI) lists bird wellness exams from $107.62 and consultations from $118.39 (Feb 2026); ThePricer found Exotic Pet Vets wellness exams at $90–$115 and a 2026 survey average of $145 for an avian-vet exam, with a $75–$200 wellness range. High = two exams a year. VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62, beak trim $93.53; Feb 2026); ThePricer: How Much Do Quaker Parrots Cost? (updated Sep 2026); ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026)
Yearly bloodwork (CBC and chemistry)	$140	$0–$200	VCA lists a CBC and chemistry profile as standard bird screening; ThePricer puts annual bloodwork at $80–$200. Merck says greys are prone to low blood calcium, which bloodwork can catch. Low = skipped. VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; ThePricer: How Much Do Quaker Parrots Cost? (updated Sep 2026); Merck Veterinary Manual (owners): Nutritional Disorders of Pet Birds
Nail trims and beak care (as needed)	$35	$0–$95	Varied perch textures keep many birds' nails in check; others need trims once or twice a year, usually at the wellness visit. The Vet Desk puts bird beak care at $10–$50 a year; The Gentle Vets charges $93.53 for a beak trim, which needs an exam too (high). The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026); The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62, beak trim $93.53; Feb 2026)
Illness and injury, per year
Illness and injury (yearly average)	$400	$100–$1,200	No survey reports average illness spending per grey. The Vet Desk puts grey emergency care at $300–$1,200 and a single exotic-vet visit at $100–$250; ThePricer's 2026 figures are a $320 starting bill for an after-hours emergency and $300–$2,000+ for hospitalization. Typical $400 assumes roughly one sick visit with tests and medication a year; greys' susceptibility to calcium and vitamin A problems and feather picking puts them above small parrots. The Vet Desk: African Grey Parrot Cost (Jan 2026); ThePricer: How Much Do Quaker Parrots Cost? (updated Sep 2026)
Insurance, per month
Nationwide Avian & Exotic accident & illness premium	$20	$14–$40	Nationwide is the main US insurer for birds and quotes by phone; its bird page says premiums 'generally start at less than $21/month.' The Zebra's sample Nationwide quote for a 3-year-old macaw was $13.73/month with a $250 deductible and 70% reimbursement. The Vet Desk estimates African grey insurance at $20–$40 a month; typical sits near Nationwide's stated starting point because greys are a high-value bird. Nationwide (petinsurance.com): Pet insurance plans for birds; The Zebra: Exotic Pet Insurance (Nationwide macaw quote $13.73/month, $250 deductible, 70%; Jan 2026); The Vet Desk: African Grey Parrot Cost (Jan 2026)

More pet birds by yearly cost

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Common questions

How much does an african grey parrot cost?

Breeder or bird store (captive-bred): $2,000–$6,500; bird rescue: $500–$2,800. The bigger costs come after: about $710 to set up, about $6,390 for the whole first year, then about $1,410 a year.

How much does an african grey parrot cost per year?

About $1,410 a year ($118 a month) for a typical owner in an average-cost area, ranging from about $930 for a thrifty owner in a lower-cost area to $2,390 for a generous owner in a big city with insurance.

How much does an african grey parrot cost over its lifetime?

About $61,400 over a 40-year life, in 2026 dollars.

Sources

Estimates in 2026 US dollars. Vet prices for this pet use the same region adjustment as the rest of the site (methodology). Updated October 14, 2026.