How to Buy a Pet Bird in the United States | PetzLover

Which pet bird is right for your home?

The biggest difference between pet birds is how long they live and how loud they are. A budgie is a reasonable first bird for an apartment; a macaw is a 30 to 60 year commitment whose screams can carry to the neighbors. Think about who would care for a long-lived parrot if your life changes.

Parrots are social and intelligent. Large species need a lot of daily attention, room to climb and plenty to chew, and behavior problems are common when those needs are not met. Finches and canaries are happier with their own kind than with handling. Backyard poultry such as chickens and ducks is a different decision again: check your city's rules on keeping poultry before you buy.

Is it legal to buy this bird where you live?

Most common pet birds are legal across the US, but three rules matter. First, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal to capture, keep, buy or sell native wild birds without a federal permit, so a baby songbird or a cardinal offered as a pet is never a legal purchase. Second, the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 limits imports of exotic birds, and most parrots are protected under CITES, so a pet parrot should be captive-bred, not caught in the wild. Third, states set their own lists of restricted species.

Monk (Quaker) parakeets are the best-known example: they are listed as restricted animals in California and named in Pennsylvania's wildlife rules, and several other states limit them. Rules change, so check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying a species you are unsure about.

Where should you look for pet birds for sale?

Good sources are small breeders who let you visit, bird specialty stores and private owners selling a bird they have raised. A breeder can usually tell you the hatch date, parents and diet, and a closed leg band, which can only be slipped onto a young chick's foot, is a good sign the bird was bred in captivity. Bird rescues are a strong alternative, especially for adult parrots; see our guide on how to adopt a pet bird or on taking in a rehomed bird.

On PetzLover you can browse pet birds for sale, filter by kind of bird and location, save a search to get alerts about new listings, and message the seller through PetzLover before you arrange a visit.

What should you ask a bird seller before you pay?

1. What species is it, when did it hatch, and is it male or female (and how do you know)?
2. Does it wear a leg band, and what is written on it?
3. Was it hand-fed, and is it fully weaned and eating on its own?
4. What does it eat now, and what is in its daily routine?
5. Has an avian vet examined it, and can I see the records and any test results?
6. Can I see the bird, and if possible the parents, in person or on a live video call?
7. Do you give a written health guarantee, and what happens if a vet finds a problem in the first days?

Get the answers, the price and anything included, such as the cage, in writing.

How do you check a bird's health, including psittacosis?

A healthy bird is alert, with bright eyes, clean nostrils, smooth feathers and a clean vent. Be wary of a bird that sits fluffed up and sleepy, has discharge from the eyes or nose, bobs its tail when breathing, or has soiled feathers under the tail.

Birds can carry infections without looking sick. The CDC notes that psittacosis, a bacterial infection people catch mainly by breathing dust from dried droppings, is most often linked to pet parrots, cockatiels and poultry. Plan a new-bird exam with an avian vet within one to two weeks; vets may test for chlamydiosis (the bird form of psittacosis), polyomavirus and beak and feather disease. The Association of Avian Veterinarians has a Find-a-Vet search. Keep a new bird apart from any birds you already own until your vet clears it.

How much does a pet bird cost in the United States?

• Purchase price: typically about $15 to $40 for a budgie, $50 to $150 for a cockatiel, $150 to $500 or more for a conure, and several hundred to several thousand dollars for African greys and macaws.
• Setup: cage, perches, toys and carrier typically total $200 to $1,700 or more; a large parrot needs the top end.
• First avian vet visit: typically $70 to $300, more with lab tests.
• Yearly care: the ASPCA estimates about $300 a year for a small bird; large parrots cost much more in food, toys and vet care.

Over a 30 to 50 year lifespan, a large parrot's care costs far more than its purchase price.

How do you avoid pet bird scams?

The Better Business Bureau has warned about fake breeder websites selling parrots, macaws and even eggs at bargain prices, using photos copied from real breeders. After the first payment, the seller asks for more money for shipping, insurance or a special crate, and the bird never arrives. The FTC advises paying by credit card and walking away from anyone who insists on gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps or cryptocurrency.

• Prices far below what the species usually sells for.
• A seller who will not meet or do a live video call and only ships.
• Photos that show up on other websites in a reverse image search.
• Pressure to pay a deposit today to hold the bird.

If a listing looks wrong, use the Report Scam button on the listing. Report losses at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Sellers can read our guide on how to sell pet birds to see what an honest seller should offer you.