How Much Do Quaker Parrots Cost?

Last Updated on March 11, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

With their engaging personalities, vibrant colors, and ability to talk, Quaker parrots make popular pet birds. However, ensuring proper care for these intelligent creatures does require commitment and financial investment. If you’re considering welcoming one of these feathered friends into your home, it’s important to understand both initial and ongoing Quaker parrot costs.

In this guide, we’ll break down expected prices for the bird itself, essential housing and supplies, recurring expenses for food and veterinary care, and additional costs to factor into your budget. With realistic insight into the costs involved, you can make an informed decision when preparing for Quaker parrot ownership.

How Much Do Quaker Parrots Cost?

The upfront cost to purchase a Quaker parrot ranges quite widely, from just $50 from a rescue up to $500 or more from a specialty breeder, based on the bird’s age, color mutation, and where you adopt them from.

• Baby Quakers from a breeder or pet store average $150 and more.
• Young hand-fed parrots around 6-12 months old range $100-$350.
• Rare color morphs like lutinos and blues often cost $300-$500+.
• Adult rescue birds may have a modest $50-$100 adoption fee. Check local shelters.

Purchase price depends on the Quaker’s age, personality, lineage, rarity, and source. Do your research to find an ethical, reputable breeder if buying a baby.

Factors impacting the price include:

• Age– Baby Quakers typically cost the most, from $150-$500 each depending on lineage. Older juveniles and adults are often rehomed for $50-$350.
• Color mutations– Rare color variants like blue, yellow, white, and lutino fetch premium pricing, from $300 to over $1,000 for unique specimens.
• Lineage– Pedigreed parrots from champion show or breeding lines can command higher pricing.
• Source– Retail pet stores charge more than individual breeders. Adoption is cheapest via rescues/shelters.
• Location– Prices trend higher in urban areas and for rare mutations. Check classifieds for deals.
• Hand-feeding– Some breeders charge extra if they hand-feed babies until weaned.

Some Reddit users wrote that prices for Quaker parrots can range from $150 to over $1,000, depending on factors like location, age, sex, mutation, rearing, and care. The cost may vary based on the source and the bird’s characteristics.

At New York Bird Supply, Quaker parrots are priced at around $375.

At Petco, Blue Quaker Parakeets are priced at $899.99, while Normal/Green Quaker Parakeets are priced at $699.99.

Quaker parrots are available for purchase at Clutch Hutch Aviary starting from $299.99, with various color options and characteristics offered.

Initial Housing and Supplies

Beyond the cost of acquiring the parrot, you’ll need to budget another $200-$500 to setup your Quaker’s home habitat and supplies initially. Here are the essential expenses to factor in:

• Flight cage– A roomy cage with bar spacing between 1/2″ and 3/4″ will run $150-$300 depending on size.
• Perches, toys, enrichment– At least 3-5 varieties of perches plus a range of fun toys for mental stimulation will cost $50-$100.
• Water and food bowls– Heavy stainless-steel bowls prevent contamination and run about $20-$30.
• Play stand for out-of-cage time– A safe play gym or stand runs $50-$150. Supervision is always required.
• Initial food supplies– Stock up on pellets, seed mix, chop ingredients, treats, and vitamins for at least one month, approximately $100-$250 depending on diet.

Proper housing, accessories, and supplies are crucial investments for your parrot’s health, happiness, and adjustment to their new home. Never cut corners on cage quality or enrichment provisions for these intelligent, active birds.

Ongoing Quaker Parrot Care Costs

In addition to initial setup expenses, responsible Quaker parrot ownership involves a number of regular recurring costs to fit into your monthly bird budget:

• Healthy diet– A varied mix of pellets, seeds, sprouted seeds, produce, nuts, and other nutritious ingredients will cost $30-$80+ monthly depending on your parrot’s appetite.
• Toys and accessories– Replace chewed-up toys, perches, hammocks, etc. regularly – budget $10-$20
• Veterinary visits– Annual exams, bloodwork, and lab tests cost $150-$300. Have an emergency vet fund.
• Supplements and vitamins– Calcium, multivitamins, and probiotics cost $10-$30+
• Electricity– Heating/lighting for your parrot can add $10-$50 per month to your utility bill.

Budget approximately $100-$200 monthly for your Quaker’s food, enrichment supplies, wellness exams, and health fund once basic supplies are purchased.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Amazon parrots, Indian redneck parrots, and talking parrots.

Additional Expenses to Anticipate

On top of regular costs, additional expenses that may come up over your Quaker’s lifetime include:

• A larger cage as your parrot grows could cost $200-$600 for an upgrade.
• Damage repairs– Quakers can be destructive chewers, so budget for replacing woodwork, drywall, flooring, etc. if needed – $50-$300
• Boarding/pet-sitting if you go on vacation, approximately $15-$50
• Training for behavior modification can run $50-$100 per session with an avian behavioral specialist.
• Permits or licenses– Some areas may require annual permits to own Quaker parrots, $25-$100 per year depending on the jurisdiction.
• Emergency medical bills– Have at least $500-$1000 set aside for unexpected vet expenses in case of illness or injury.

By knowing what kinds of additional expenses might arise and budgeting accordingly, you can be prepared as a responsible Quaker owner.

Legal Requirements and Restrictions

Due to their tendencies to build nests on building structures, Quaker parakeet ownership is illegal in some states. Check your local laws. You may need to obtain a permit or license, costing $25-$100 annually in most areas that require one. Regulations are location-dependent.

Long-Term Quaker Parrot Ownership

With expected healthy lifespans of 15-30+ years in captivity, a Quaker parrot represents a long-term commitment. They require consistent daily attention, enrichment, and supervision for decades to come.

Make sure you are financially and logistically prepared to cover their highly specialized housing, dietary, healthcare, mental stimulation, companionship, and training needs consistently over the next several decades before committing to acquire one of these high-maintenance birds. Joining avian clubs and support groups can help offset costs through education, shared best practices, discounts on supplies, and a sense of community.

Budgeting Tips

Here are some additional tips for keeping Quaker costs affordable long-term:

• Research and price compare to find the healthiest diet ingredients at the best prices. Buy in bulk.
• Save on cages by watching for sales or buying used and sanitizing thoroughly.
• DIY toy ideas are widely available online – rotate these with new store-bought toys.
• Grow fresh bird-safe veggies and sprouts to supplement store-bought produce.
• Buy supplies during seasonal sales, or look for discounted overstock items.
• Check for rescue groups specific to Quaker parrots that may offer rehoming assistance if needed.

Final Words

In summary, from purchase price to supplies, food, veterinary costs, housing, toys, permits, and more, plan to budget approximately $500-$1,000 in startup costs, and $100-$200 in recurring monthly expenses to provide excellent care for a beloved Quaker Parrot.

With proper research and planning for their specialized needs spanning decades, you’ll find the costs manageable and the rewards of companionship with these intelligent parrots immeasurable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much attention do Quaker parrots need?

Quaker parrots are highly social, intelligent birds requiring substantial direct interaction and supervised out-of-cage time daily. At least 2-3 hours per day is recommended. Leaving a Quaker alone all day will lead to boredom, loneliness, feather plucking, and other problems.

What do you need for a Quaker parrot habitat?

The essential components are an adequately sized flight cage, variety of perches, stainless food/water dishes, safe toys, foraging activities, ample room for exercise, proper lighting and temperature control, and all accessories for an enriched mental and physical environment.

What do I need to know about owning a Quaker parrot?

Quakers are noisy, demanding, very long-lived, and destructive if bored or lonely. They require lots of attention, supervised time out of cage daily, specialized veterinary care, and responsible ownership for up to 30 years or more. Ensure you have the time, knowledge, and financial means to provide excellent lifetime care before acquiring a Quaker.