How Much Does a Hyacinth Macaw Cost?
Last Updated on January 14, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker
With their interesting cobalt blue plumage and impressive size, hyacinth macaws capture the imagination of parrot lovers. But these giants of the macaw world come with big price tags to match their outsized stature.
For prospective owners, how much does a hyacinth macaw cost? What’s involved in properly caring for one of these regal yet demanding birds? This guide breaks down everything you need to know before bringing one of these beauties home.
The hyacinth macaw has a combination of rarity, immense size, intelligence, and spectacular beauty that puts it in extremely high demand. Prices run upwards of $10,000 to $15,000 for a well-bred baby.
Adult breeder birds can sell for $20,000 or more. The investment doesn’t end with the purchase price either. Proper care and housing for a hyacinth macaw can cost thousands of dollars annually.
Is owning a hyacinth macaw the right choice for you? Read on to learn what makes this parrot so special, along with tips for selecting and caring for one.
Highlights on Hyacinth Macaws
- Purchase price for a hand-fed Hyacinth Macaw baby is $10,000 – $15,000 but can reach over $20,000. Adoptions and adult birds are somewhat less.
- Total first year costs for a hyacinth often exceed $15,000 – $20,000. Annual care expenses range from $5,000 – $10,000.
- Their endangered status, breeding challenges, massive size, and extreme intelligence all contribute to the hyacinth’s price.
- Health and temperament are a top priority. Work with specialty breeders who focus on socialization and early development.
- Hyacinths require more space, training, enrichment, and owner interaction than any other parrot species.
How Much Does a Hyacinth Macaw Cost?
Expect to spend $10,000 to $15,000 or more for a hand-fed, well-socialized baby hyacinth from a specialty breeder. Parent-raised youngsters or untamed adults often sell for slightly less.
In addition to the bird’s purchase price, first-year costs include:
- Extra large cage, minimum 3’ x 4’ x 6’: $2,000+
- Perches, dishes, cage accessories: $500
- Several heavy duty playstands: $200 – $400
- A variety of quality toys: $300 – $600
- Vet exam & testing: $200 – $500
- Neonatal supplements & handfeeding gear (if handfed chick): $500
Total first year costs often reach $15,000 – $20,000 for the macaw and essential supplies.
This doesn’t include the time investment needed for socializing and training a young hyacinth. This full-time commitment is critical for proper development.
A user in the ParrotForums.com forum mentioned that in the US, the cost of a Hyacinth Macaw can range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on whether it’s a rehome or a baby.
Why Are Large Macaws So Expensive?
Hyacinth macaws are exceptionally scarce in both the wild and captivity, driving costs sky-high for a sought-after pet. Some key reasons these parrots are so pricey include:
- Largest Parrot Species – Their huge size adds to demand. A tame giant is the ultimate status symbol.
- Endangered in the Wild – With just an estimated 6,500 adults left in their native South America, wild hyacinths are critically endangered. Captive breeding struggles to meet demand.
- Complex Breeding Difficulties – From imprinting issues to low fertility, captive hyacinth breeding presents challenges that limit supply.
- Extremely Long Lifespan – At up to 50 years old or more, a hyacinth is a lifelong commitment. Turnover of sales is very low.
- Destructive Power – Bored hyacinths can self-mutilate. Only experienced owners can manage them safely. This shrinks the pool of qualified buyers.
Due to all these hurdles, well-raised hyacinths from reputable breeders are tremendously scarce and sell at a premium. But the costs go far beyond just the purchase price.
Annual Hyacinth Macaw Species Care Costs
Yearly costs to properly care for an adult hyacinth average around $5,000 – $10,000. Key expenses include:
- High quality pelleted diet: $1,000 – $2,000
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, macadamia nuts: $500 – $1,500
- Cage maintenance and toy replacement: $500 – $1,000
- Veterinary check ups: $200 – $500
- Emergency medical fund: $1,000 – $3,000
- Parrot-proofing home repairs: $500 – $2,000
- Training tools & supplies: $500 – $1,000
- Boarding if traveling: $500 – $2,000
Because hyacinths are so destructive, homes and furnishings also sustain ongoing damage that can costs thousands in repairs or replacement over time. Painting over beak scratches every few months is common.
Along with budgets for supplies and repairs, owners need ample free time to spend interacting with and positively stimulating these high-maintenance birds.
Reducing Hyacinth Macaw Costs
For some prospective owners, prices in the five figures simply aren’t feasible. Here are a few tips for reducing costs:
- Consider a rescued hyacinth from a parrot rehoming network. Adoption fees typically run $1,000 – $3,000. But temperament may be less predictable.
- Select a younger bird with unknown background. Breeders often sell these at a discount of 40-60% off. However, health and behavior issues are possible.
- Partner with a friend to share ownership and splitting costs for a bird. But agree fully in advance on care philosophies. Shared custody can also confuse the parrot.
- Offer to work as a volunteer for a breeder in exchange for hyacinth care learning opportunities.
- Be prepared to wait. Occasionally cheaper birds become available when plans fall through. Ask to be notified.
- Invest diligently in preventing destructive behavior through training and enrichment to limit home repairs.
But remember there are no shortcuts when it comes to properly caring for these demanding birds. Purchasing from disreputable sellers or cutting corners often ends badly.
Where to Find Captive-Bred Hyacinth Macaws For Sale
Begin your search with reputable hyacinth specialty breeders that focus on temperament and health. Expect to travel domestically or even internationally to find the best aviaries. Be suspicious of pet stores or mass breeders offering steep discounts. Join online communities to meet fellow owners for referrals.
We also have interesting articles on the cost of the Indian Ringneck Parrot, Toucan, and Cockatiel.
Top considerations when selecting a baby hyacinth include parent-raised, fully weaned, and well-socialized. If possible, meet the parents and see where your pet bird was raised. Ensure parents were specifically paired for breeding rather than being hybrids. Talk to references and ask for health testing documentation on both parents.
Owning a Hyacinth Macaw
Bringing home your hyacinth is just the first step. Meeting their complex needs for the next 50 years is critical for their well-being and your enjoyment. Key elements of hyacinth care include:
- A large cage, playstands, and bird-proofed room for exercise
- At least 4-6 hours out-of-cage daily interaction
- A nutritionally balanced diet with pellets, vegetables, fruits, nuts
- Showering twice weekly
- Active foraging and training games to prevent boredom and destruction
- A companion macaw for social interaction
- Annual vet exams and health screenings
- Emergency first aid training and an avian vet fund
With the right habitat, diet, enrichment, training, and time commitment, a hyacinth macaw can become an incredibly rewarding lifelong companion parrot. Working with an avian behaviorist is recommended to get off on the right foot.
Final Words
Though expensive, a well-adjusted hyacinth macaw can be the ultimate companion parrot for devoted owners able to meet their complex needs and give them a lifetime of care. Doing your homework is crucial to find the right large bird and be ready for this intense commitment.
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