Green-cheeked conure Cost: Price, Setup and Yearly Cost (2026)

Where the money goes each year

A typical year for a green-cheeked conure, with typical spending in an average-cost area, no insurance.

Illness and injury (average)$250
Replacement toys (conures destroy them)$150
Annual avian-vet wellness exam$115
Fresh vegetables, fruit and treats$80
Pellets$76
Cage liners / paper$60
Replacement perches$35
Nail trims and beak care (as needed)$35
Typical year$800

Most years land between $520 and $1,350. Items replaced on a cycle are spread across the years.

Setup and the first year

For green-cheeked conures, the equipment usually costs far more than the animal.

Getting set up

Price (breeder or pet store)$550
Cage with 1/2- to 5/8-inch bar spacing$230
Perches in varied diameters (3)$50
Extra food and water dishes$20
Starter toys (4–6)$60
Mineral block / cuttlebone$10
Cage cover$35
Travel carrier (for vet trips)$46
New-bird exam with an avian vet$115
New-bird tests (psittacosis PCR, fecal, Gram stain, bloodwork)$150
Upfront$1,270

Running costs in year one

Pellets$76
Fresh vegetables, fruit and treats$80
Replacement toys (conures destroy them)$150
Replacement perches$35
Cage liners / paper$60
Illness and injury (average)$250
Year-one running costs$650

First-year total: $1,920. Adopting instead brings it to about $1,730.

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 a green-cheeked conure. Each link searches Amazon for the right type and size.

Cage with 1/2- to 5/8-inch bar spacingSetup, typically about $230
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Perches in varied diameters (3)Setup, typically about $50
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Extra food and water dishesSetup, typically about $20
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Starter toys (4–6)Setup, typically about $60
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Mineral block / cuttleboneSetup, typically about $10
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Cage coverSetup, typically about $35
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Travel carrier (for vet trips)Setup, typically about $46
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PelletsOngoing, typically about $76 a year
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Cage liners / paperOngoing, typically about $60 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
Feather picking	Lafeber lists feather picking for green-cheeked conures and links it to boredom once medical causes are ruled out. Merck says plucking needs a full workup because many medical problems cause it. Source	Exam, bloodwork and other tests (about $350 for exam with panels per 2023 owner reports; X-rays about $250), then treatment of the cause, enrichment and follow-ups	$200–$800
Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD)	Lafeber lists proventricular dilatation disease for green-cheeked conures. VCA lists avian bornavirus testing among new-bird screens; diagnosis and long-term management mean repeated tests and rechecks. Source	Bornavirus RT-PCR ($26 lab fee before markup), X-rays (ThePricer: $150–$400+), ongoing medication and rechecks; hospitalization ($500–$2,000+) in severe cases	$300–$1,500
Psittacosis (chlamydiosis)	Lafeber lists psittacosis for green-cheeked conures. Merck says it can spread to people and is treated with prolonged antibiotics. Source	Exam, PCR test ($21 lab fee before markup) and a long doxycycline course with retest; severe cases need hospitalization	$160–$450
Aspergillosis (fungal respiratory infection)	Lafeber lists aspergillosis, a fungal respiratory infection, among green-cheeked conure health problems. Diagnosis usually needs bloodwork and imaging. Source	Exam, bloodwork and X-rays, then antifungal medication; hospitalization in severe cases (ThePricer: X-rays $150–$400+, medication $50–$300+, hospitalization $500–$2,000+)	$400–$2,000

The yearly estimate includes an average of $250 for illness and injury. Insurance is available for this pet; turn it on in the calculator to compare.

What drives the cost

PetSmart lists green cheek conures at $799.99; breeders charge $300–$750 (ThePricer, Sep 2026), and The Gabriel Foundation's conure adoption fees run $425–$850.
Conures are heavy chewers, so toys are a running cost; The Vet Desk puts conure entertainment at $20–$35 a month.
ThePricer models routine care at about $551 a year (pellets $76 plus $360 of produce, treats and consumables and a $115 exam), or about $11,000 over 20 years before emergencies.
Lafeber lists feather picking, PDD, PBFD, psittacosis and aspergillosis for this species; diagnosing feather picking alone can take several hundred dollars of tests.
Nationwide's Avian & Exotic plan covers conures; premiums generally start under $21 a month, and The Vet Desk estimates $6–$15.

Is it legal where you live?

Green-cheeked conures are legal to own without a permit across the US mainland; no state ban was found (state bans on 'parakeets' apply to the monk or Quaker parakeet, a different species). Hawaii allows only birds on its approved import lists, so check with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Plant Quarantine Branch before bringing one there.

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

Breeder or pet store: $300–$800
Bird rescue: $125–$300
Lifetime: $17,100

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
Cage with 1/2- to 5/8-inch bar spacing	$230	$162–$350	Typical: A&E Cage Company Play Top Bird Cage, Small (24 x 22 x 62 in, listed for conures), $229.99 at Chewy. Low: Yaheetech 69-in Parrot Cage (0.4-in bars, listed for conures), $161.98. High: ThePricer's Chewy examples at $344.99–$349.99. Chewy: A&E Cage Company Play Top Bird Cage, Small ($229.99; conure, cockatiel, lovebird); Chewy: Yaheetech 69-in Parrot Cage with Detachable Stand, 0.4-in spacing ($161.98); ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026)
Perches in varied diameters (3)	$50	$15–$80	Polly's Hardwood Bird Perch is $16.53 (Small) to $20.45 (X-Small) at Chewy, both listed for conures; The Vet Desk gives $5 to $30 per perch. Typical = 2–3 added perches. Chewy: Polly's Hardwood Bird Perch (X-Small $20.45, Small $16.53); The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Extra food and water dishes	$20	$10–$30	The Vet Desk gives $10 for a conure's dishes and $5–$15 per dish generally. Typical = 2 stainless dishes. The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Starter toys (4–6)	$60	$25–$100	Typical = Super Bird Creations medium-conure toys at Chewy: Activity Wall $25.99, Pinwheel $8.99 and Triple Decker $9.99, plus a few cheaper chew toys. ThePricer's $200 setup allowance covers carrier, perches, bowls, toys and cleaning supplies. Chewy: Super Bird Creations Activity Wall, Medium ($25.99); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Pinwheel Bird Toy, Medium ($8.99); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Triple Decker Bird Toy, Medium ($9.99); ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026)
Mineral block / cuttlebone	$10	$5–$15	The Vet Desk lists a $5 mineral block for conures and $2–$10 for beak-maintenance items. The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Cage cover	$35	$15–$50	The Vet Desk gives $15–$50+ for bird cage covers; a medium cover sits mid-range. The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Travel carrier (for vet trips)	$46	$16–$110	Typical: KNUTI Bird Travel Carrier $45.95 at Chewy; high: Prevue Bird Travel Carrier $109.99; The Vet Desk gives $15–$100. Chewy: Best cockatiel cages (KNUTI carrier $45.95, Prevue carrier $109.99); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
First year
New-bird exam with an avian vet	$115	$90–$185	VCA advises a first avian-vet visit soon after bringing a bird home. The Gentle Vets (Green Bay, WI) lists bird wellness exams from $107.62 (Feb 2026); ThePricer's conure guide cites a $128 new-client exam plus a $55 mobile-vet travel fee ($183, the high end) and $90–$115 wellness exams. The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62, beak trim $93.53; Feb 2026); VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026)
New-bird tests (psittacosis PCR, fecal, Gram stain, bloodwork)	$150	$50–$300	VCA lists blood tests, fecal exam, choanal/cloacal swabs and, where warranted, chlamydiosis, polyomavirus, bornavirus and circovirus (PBFD) tests as new-bird screening. The UGA diagnostic lab charges vets $21 per Chlamydia, PBFD or polyomavirus PCR and $21 for DNA sexing, before clinic markup; Seattle and Long Island owners (2023) reported about $350 for an exam with CBC and fecal or blood panels, i.e. roughly $240 of tests, and $50–$100 per disease test. Low = fecal plus one PCR; high = full panel. Lafeber lists PBFD, PDD (bornavirus) and psittacosis for this species; a bornavirus RT-PCR is $26 at UGA. VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; UGA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab: Avian submission form and prices (Oct 2024); Parrot Forums: How much does an avian vet checkup cost? (2023 owner reports)
Every year
Pellets	$76	$52–$140	ThePricer budgets four 44-oz bags (11 lb) a year at $18.95 = $75.80. ZuPreem's guide is 1/4–1/2 cup a day for conures, and Harrison's 5–15 g a day. Low: ZuPreem Parrot & Conure 17.5-lb bag ($77.99, $4.46/lb) x 11 lb ≈ $49–$52. High: Harrison's Adult Lifetime Coarse at $12.72/lb (5-lb $63.59) x 11 lb = $140. ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026); Chewy: ZuPreem FruitBlend Parrot & Conure (17.5 lb $77.99; conures 1/4–1/2 cup a day); Chewy: Harrison's Adult Lifetime Fine (5 lb $65.78; feeding guide by species); Chewy: Harrison's Adult Lifetime Coarse, 5 lb ($63.59)
Fresh vegetables, fruit and treats	$80	$30–$180	LOW CONFIDENCE. Lafeber recommends a manufactured diet plus fresh vegetables, fruit and healthy table foods. ThePricer allows $30/month ($360/yr) for produce, treats and other consumables combined, and The Vet Desk lists treats at $15/month; typical assumes about half that ThePricer allowance goes to produce and treats net of household groceries. Lafeber: Green-cheeked Conure species profile; ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026); The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026)
Replacement toys (conures destroy them)	$150	$75–$300	The Vet Desk puts conure entertainment at $20–$35 a month ($240–$420 a year). Typical = about 12–15 medium toys a year at $9–$26 each (Super Bird Creations at Chewy); low = homemade/cheap chew toys. The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Pinwheel Bird Toy, Medium ($8.99); Chewy: Super Bird Creations Activity Wall, Medium ($25.99)
Replacement perches	$35	$15–$60	Conures chew wooden perches. Typical = two Polly's hardwood perches a year ($16.53–$20.45 at Chewy); high = three. Chewy: Polly's Hardwood Bird Perch (X-Small $20.45, Small $16.53)
Cage liners / paper	$60	$10–$120	The Vet Desk puts conure habitat substrate at $10 a month ($120 a year, the high end). Typical assumes plain paper liners plus cleaner; low = newspaper. The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026)
Annual avian-vet wellness exam	$115	$90–$230	VCA says birds need at least an annual checkup and many vets recommend two a year. Typical = one exam (The Gentle Vets from $107.62, Feb 2026; ThePricer's conure guide uses $90–$115). High = two exams a year. Routine bloodwork (about $240 more per 2023 owner reports) is not included. The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62, beak trim $93.53; Feb 2026); VCA (via LifeLearn): Veterinary Care: New Bird Visit; ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026)
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. A Seattle owner reported about $18 per nail trim (2023); The Gentle Vets charges $93.53 for a beak trim, which needs an exam too. The Vet Desk puts bird beak care at $10–$50 a year. Conures with few rough perches often need trims twice a year; high = one vet beak-and-nail visit. Parrot Forums: How much does an avian vet checkup cost? (2023 owner reports); The Gentle Vets: Exotics pricing (bird wellness exam from $107.62, beak trim $93.53; Feb 2026); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026)
Illness and injury, per year
Illness and injury (yearly average)	$250	$75–$700	No survey reports average illness spending per conure, and ThePricer explicitly leaves emergencies out of its model. The Vet Desk puts conure medication and vet visits at $10–$100 a month and bird emergencies at $100–$500+ a year; ThePricer's bird ranges are emergency exam $150–$300+, medication $50–$300+, X-rays $150–$400+, surgery $500–$2,000+. Typical $250 assumes about one sick visit with tests and medication a year; set above smaller birds because the long lifespan brings more chronic illness. The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026); The Vet Desk: How Much Does a Pet Bird Cost? (Jan 2026); ThePricer: How Much Does a Parakeet Cost? (bird vet cost planning ranges); ThePricer: Green Cheek Conure Cost (updated Sep 2026)
Insurance, per month
Nationwide Avian & Exotic accident & illness premium	$15	$6–$21	Nationwide is the only major US insurer for birds, quotes by phone, and lists this species among covered birds. 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 yearly deductible and 70% reimbursement. The Vet Desk estimates conure insurance at $6–$15 a month. No species-specific quote was published, so the typical value is an estimate below Nationwide's stated ceiling. Nationwide (petinsurance.com): Pet insurance plans for birds; The Zebra: Exotic Pet Insurance (Nationwide macaw quote $13.73/month, $250 deductible, 70%); The Vet Desk: Green Cheek Conure Cost (Jan 2026)

More pet birds by yearly cost

Budgie$540 a year
Lovebird$580 a year
Cockatiel$650 a year
Compare all pet birds

Common questions

How much does a green-cheeked conure cost?

Breeder or pet store: $300–$800; bird rescue: $125–$300. The bigger costs come after: about $450 to set up, about $1,920 for the whole first year, then about $800 a year.

How much does a green-cheeked conure cost per year?

About $800 a year ($67 a month) for a typical owner in an average-cost area, ranging from about $520 for a thrifty owner in a lower-cost area to $1,350 for a generous owner in a big city with insurance.

How much does a green-cheeked conure cost over its lifetime?

About $17,100 over a 20-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.