How Much Does a Quaker Parrot Cost? 2025 Price Guide

The colorful Quaker Parrot is a social, intelligent, and fun-loving bird. When you’re interested in getting one of these parrots, you probably have a few questions, including what it costs to own one. Owning a Quaker Parrot costs more than just the initial purchase price.

The cost of the parrot alone can be hundreds of dollars but can vary considerably depending on the mutation/color, the breeder you choose to use, where they live, and the age and gender of the bird. You can expect to pay between $130–$200 per month for the care of this bird after the initial costs.

However, some states don’t allow Quaker Parrots to be kept as pets because they’re seen as a possible threat to crops and agriculture. Be sure to check your state’s laws to make sure it’s legal for you to keep a Quaker Parrot.

Bringing Home a New Quaker Parrot: One-Time Costs

Whether you’re getting a Quaker for free, adopting from a shelter, or buying one from a breeder, they’re not very expensive, especially compared to purebred cats and dogs. Several factors can influence the cost of your parrot, such as the bird’s age, physical health, and shelter fees. Let’s explore these factors further to determine the potential costs.

Free

Unfortunately, some people don’t do enough research before getting their birds and find out later that they cannot care for them properly. That is why it’s possible to find someone who wants to rehome a Quaker Parrot they don’t want to take care of any longer.

If you’re lucky, you can find someone in your area who will gladly give you their Quaker Parrot for free, as well as the bird’s cage and accessories. You can check classified ads and social media to see if you can find a free Quaker.

Adoption

$50–$300

Adoption is a very economical way to own a Quaker Parrot. Not only will an adopted Quaker cost you less, but you will also be providing a good home to a bird that’s truly in need. There are many ways to adopt a Quaker Parrot. You can check local bird sanctuaries, animal shelters, and non-profit parrot rescue organizations to see if you can find Quakers that need new homes.

Before you dive in and adopt a bird you have your eye on, be sure to ask for background information on the bird to ensure it’s the right fit for you. You’ll likely find young and older Quaker Parrots up for adoption that can either be very healthy or have some type of health concern. You must be sure that you can care for the bird you decide to adopt whether it’s a very young and healthy bird or one that’s older with health issues.

Breeder

$250–$900

Quaker Parrots coming from reputable breeders are typically well-adjusted birds that are friendly and used to people. While getting a Quaker from a good breeder costs more than adopting one, the extra cost is typically well worth it. You can expect the Quaker Parrot price to be between $250–$900 from the best breeders.

An experienced breeder typically spends a lot of time with their birds to ensure they’re thoroughly ready to go to new homes. Plus, when you buy a Quaker Parrot from a breeder, you’ll be given all the background on the bird, including any health issues it may have, so you’ll know lots of information about your new bird.

Initial Setup and Supplies

$300–$1,000

You’ll have to purchase a birdcage suitable for a Quaker, perches, ladders, toys, and food dishes. It’s always a good idea to set money aside each month to cover the cost of supplies. Like other parrots, Quakers tend to pick and chew, which means they can easily and quickly destroy items like food dishes and bird toys.

List of Quaker Parrot Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Quaker Parrot Cost Per Month?

$130–$200 per month

One thing you must consider when thinking about getting a Quaker Parrot is how much it will cost you every month to take good care of your bird. You’ll have to feed your bird a high-quality pellet diet, provide fresh fruits and vegetables, buy new toys, and foot the bill for wing clippings and nail cuttings. Here’s a breakdown of the projected monthly costs of having a Quaker Parrot as a pet.

Health Care

$20–$30 per month

To keep your Quaker healthy and happy, you should take it to the vet once a year. If your bird gets sick or needs medical care, the veterinarian costs will increase your monthly expenses significantly. That’s why it’s wise to purchase pet insurance for your bird to help you cover any necessary healthcare costs. However, fewer providers offer insurance for birds than for dogs and cats.

Food

$25–$30 per month

A Quaker Parrot should have a high-quality pellet diet and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They should be fed about 3 tablespoons of pellets every day along with ¼ cup of fresh fruits and vegetables. While parrot pellets tend to remain the same in price, the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables can fluctuate, especially when they’re not in season. To be safe, plan on spending at least $25 per month feeding your pet Quaker.

Grooming

$13–$25 per month

If you provide your Quaker Parrot with a place to bathe, you won’t need to help them preen because they can clean their own feathers. As far as grooming a Quaker goes, they need their nails and wing feathers trimmed two or three times a year.

If you don’t have experience trimming the nails or feathers, you should take your bird to the vet or a groomer who has experience with parrots. A Quaker’s feathers should be trimmed enough to restrict flight but not entirely prevent it. Trimming a Quaker’s nails is best done using an emery board or a small Dremel-like tool with a sanding attachment.

The cost of having a vet or groomer trim your bird’s nails and wings when needed can vary but expect to pay at least $200 a year. When broken down monthly, the grooming will cost around $13.

Medications and Vet Visits

$15–$25 per month

As far as vet costs go, most parrot visits cost between $30 and $100. If your Quaker has a health problem and needs medication and you don’t have pet insurance that covers the medication, expect to pay $10–$30 per medication. When it’s time to give your Quaker mediation, it’s usually done orally using a syringe. If your bird requires long-term medication, you’ll have to foot the bill for syringes, which thankfully aren’t very costly.

Pet Insurance

$10–$50 per month

To save money, you can buy exotic animal insurance for your Quaker Parrot. Veterinarians can be very expensive, and if your parrot isn’t covered by insurance, you could get a big bill if your feathered friend becomes ill. Parrot insurance typically covers the following:

While the cost of bird insurance varies depending on the company and policy you choose, you’ll typically have to pay $10–$50 per month.

Environment Maintenance

$4–$8 per month

Environmental maintenance for a Quaker Parrot is generally inexpensive. You must regularly buy cage liners (or use newspaper) and replace items like cuttlebones, wood blocks, and toy puzzles so your bird always has something to do. It’s always a good idea to stock up on bird toys so you don’t run out.

Entertainment

$50–$175 per month

As the owner of a Quaker Parrot, it’s up to you to provide mental and physical stimulation. Quakers can chew through items quickly, like climbing ropes and ladders, so you’ll have to replace the accessories your bird ruins.

Quakers must have their toys rotated occasionally since they quickly get bored with the same old stimulation. It’s wise to stock up on ropes, chew blocks, ladders, and puzzles. An excellent way to save money on parrot toys, ropes, and ladders is to look for 2-for-1 specials or other great deals when you buy more than one parrot accessory.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Quaker Parrot

$130–$200 per month

When factoring in the food your Quaker needs, including pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, cage liners, replacing toys, and pet insurance, the monthly cost of owning a Quaker can quickly add up. For a Quaker, food alone can cost $30 a month. If your bird is destructive, you may spend more on repairs or replacements.

Additional Costs to Factor In

While we’ve covered most of the costs involved with owning a Quaker Parrot, there are additional costs to factor in. For instance, if you’re planning a vacation and can’t take your bird along, you’ll have to pay a pet sitter to take care of your parrot. Other costs that could come up include behavioral training if your Quaker needs it and repairing any household damages caused by your bird.

If you don’t get pet insurance, you’ll also have to factor in emergency medical care if your Quaker becomes ill or injured. Emergency parrot care can cost a small fortune. It’s better to pay a few dollars monthly for bird insurance rather than get stuck with a massive emergency vet bill!

Owning a Quaker On a Budget

If all these costs seem overwhelming, there are ways to own a Quaker Parrot on a budget. First, you can look for a free bird or adopt a Quaker from a shelter. You can also save a lot of money by buying a used birdcage and toys and accessories.

Another way to save money is to buy bulk pellets, fresh fruits, and veggies. You can chop up and freeze many fruits and vegetables so they don’t spoil in your refrigerator between feedings.

Saving Money on Quaker Parrot Care

As mentioned above, buying your parrot food in bulk is one of the best ways to save money. Every penny counts when it comes to keeping a Quaker Parrot that can live for decades.

Another way to save some money is to make your own bird toys, perches, and stands. You can find DIY instructions online that will walk you through every step. You can also skip the cage liners and line your cage with newspapers to save money.

Final Thoughts

Owning a Quaker Parrot isn’t as expensive as owning a dog or cat. From the one-time costs of buying the bird and the cage to the monthly cost of food, toys, and accessories, a Quaker Parrot isn’t a pricey pet. However, your Quaker Parrot will become a part of your family and be a pet you’ll cherish for years. These colorful birds are loads of fun to watch, and they make amazing companions!

It’s always a good idea to closely examine your budget before getting a Quaker Parrot. Be honest with yourself when deciding whether or not you’ll be able to foot all the possible bills. Only get a Quaker if you’re 100% confident you can afford to keep an exotic bird as a pet.

• See also: Quaker Parrot vs Conure: Main Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Pabloavanzini, Shutterstock