The cockatiel is a medium-sized parrot that is one of the most popular pet birds in the world. Known for their colorful appearance and affectionate nature, cockatiels are easy-going birds, making them a suitable pet for first-timers.
However, like any pet, it’s important to know what to expect before adopting a cockatiel. These beautiful birds live long lives, while also having distinct care requirements. Moreover, their long lifespan means that the cost of caring for the bird will last for quite some time!
So, there are a lot of things to consider before adopting a cockatiel. From the initial cockatiel bird price to the cost of annual food supplies, it’s important to be fully aware of the various expenses of caring for these adorable birds.
The below guide covers everything you need to know about the cost of buying and caring for a cockatiel! With this info, you should know how to best budget for a pet cockatiel.
Cockatiel Bird Price Guide – The Initial Costs of Buying a New Cockatiel
The initial outlay of buying a new cockatiel is going to cost you the most amount of money. This is because you not only need to consider the cockatiel bird price, but also the various supplies it needs when you bring it home.
For example, a cockatiel needs a spacious cage, birdfeed, and various other supplies to remain healthy and happy. Thankfully, there are various options for sourcing cockatiel birds and the various supplies they need, making it possible to accommodate various budgets.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the initial costs of buying a new cockatiel:
Adopting a Cockatiel for Free
In many instances, it’s possible to adopt a cockatiel for free. Some cockatiel owners need to rehome their bird, usually offering it out for adaptation free of charge. Adopting a cockatiel for free is a great way to reduce the cost of owning the bird.
However, it is important to determine a few things before adopting a cockatiel for free. For example, why are they giving up the cockatiel for adoption? If they are relocating and no longer have space for the bird, then you should be fine to adopt.
If the previous owner doesn’t give a clear reason for putting the bird up for adoption, you may want to be cautious. They could be rehoming the cockatiel because it has behavioral issues, making them a more difficult pet to own.
Adopting a Cockatiel from a Shelter
Various pet shelters have cockatiels available for adoption. These shelters often charge a minor fee to adopt, usually between $30-$100. In most cases, cockatiels in animal shelters come from previous owners that didn’t have time to rehome their pets in time.
So, make sure to check any local animal shelters in your area for cockatiel bird prices! The cost of adoption is essentially a donation towards the running costs of the shelter, so your money is going towards a good cause.
Plus, most animal shelters are happy to let you visit the cockatiel before adopting it. Visiting the cockatiel gives the opportunity to learn more about the bird, such as its training and temperament, letting you see if it’s the right fit for you.
Adopting From a Breeder
Another option for adopting a cockatiel is to buy one directly from a breeder. Choosing a bird breeder is the best way to know the exact lineage of a cockatiel, allowing one to check their parent’s background.
Furthermore, cockatiels from private breeders often have the best temperaments. The reason for this is because the cockatiels are bred from birds that have the best traits for pets, such as being friendly and having no behavioral issues.
So, if you’re looking for the best-behaved cockatiel, then consider adopting from a breeder.
However, be mindful that choosing this option is likely to increase the cockatiel bird price. For example, the average cost of a cockatiel from a breeder is anywhere between $100-$250.
Coloring is one of the main factors that determine the price of a cocktail from a breeder. Certain color patterns are rarer than others, influencing the overall cost of adopting from a breeder.
For instance, a lutino cockatiel is one of the most desired color patterns, featuring light yellow fellows with distinct orange markings around the cheeks. They often fetch between $150-$250.
Cinnamon cockatiels and pied cockatiels are more common, so are less expensive than other types, ranging from $100-$170.
One-Off Cockatiel Supplies
On top of paying the price of the cockatiel bird itself, there are various supplies that you need to buy too. The highest one-off expense for cockatiel supplies is their home, with a spacious cage needed to house the bird.
Cockatiels enjoy a spacious cage, so always choose the biggest size that you can afford and have space for. At a minimum, aim for a cage that is at least 24” x 24” x 18”. Again, go larger if you can, as it ensures the bird has lots of space to enjoy.
So, the cost of the bird housing does vary, costing around $100 for smaller cages and upwards of $200 for something more spacious.
Other one-off supplies to consider buying with the cockatiel include perches, bowls, and a few toys. Each of these should average between $10-$20.
Cockatiel Price Guide – The Ongoing Costs of Owning a Cockatiel
Once you pay for the cockatiel and its initial supplies, like a cage, the ongoing costs aren’t too high. In most instances, the annual cost of owning a cockatiel is around $200
Here’s a detailed breakdown of some of the ongoing costs of owning a cockatiel throughout the year:
Cockatiel Supplies
It’s a good idea to budget about $20-$30 per month for cockatiel supplies. This covers the costs of any odds and ends that they might need, such as a new toy or perch. As cockatiels love to chew on things, expect to replace their toys every month or two.
Cockatiel Healthcare Costs
Like any pet, it’s always good to set aside an annual budget for healthcare costs.
Thankfully, cockatiels are hardy animals, living mostly healthy lives free from disease and illness. Cockatiels have beaks, not teeth, so don’t require dental care, while they also don’t need vaccinations like many mother pets.
Also, consider budgeting some medical emergency funds should they get injured. In most cases, you won’t need to use it, but it is good to be safe than sorry!
Here’s a rough idea of the ongoing annual healthcare costs for a cockatiel:
Check Ups – $30-$50
Because standard vets are typically unfamiliar with birds, you may need a specialist vet for cockatiel checkups. Their costs are mostly the same as other vets, averaging between $30-$50 per year for an annual health checkup.
Vaccines – N/A
cockatiels rarely require vaccinations, with a polyomavirus being one of the few exceptions. However, this is rarely a necessity, while the cockatiel process is often stressful for these delicate birds. In most cases, we recommend avoiding any vaccines for the bird.
Dental Treatment – N/A
Because birds lack teeth, they don’t require oral healthcare checkups as many pets do. A cockatiel maintains beak health by chewing and scarping, so make sure to provide suitable toys for this.
Parasite Treatment – $50-$100
In most cases, a pet cockatiel won’t suffer from parasites as they’re kept indoors. However, there are situations that may cause them to develop a parasite, such as unclean food. So, if there are signs of a parasite infection, take them to the vet immediately!
Emergency Treatment – $50-$150
Cockatiels are healthy animals, but accidents do happen, so the occasional emergency treatment may be needed. It’s hard to predict the cost of emergency treatment, so consider budgeting about $10 per month to cover all bases.
Bird Medicine – $50-$100+
Because cockatiels live long lives, they are susceptible to age-related health issues. For example, many develop digestion issues, so require special supplements to remain healthy. Certain illnesses may also develop in later life, so budge accordingly as your bird ages.
Pet Insurance – $120-$1000+
The cost of pet insurance for a cockatiel is quite varied. Some places offer affordable insurance, while others consider the bird an exotic pet, so charge more for insurance. Also, factors such as age and breeding background influence the cost of cockatiel insurance. Rarer cockatiel variations often cost much more to insure.
Cockatiel Feeding Costs
It’s important to provide a cockatiel with a healthy, balanced diet. While small birds, they do have large appetites, with monthly food costs averaging between $10-$20.
Cockatiel diets are straightforward, consisting of various nuts and seeds. These are easily sourced in bird feed mixes and pellets sold at most pet stores.
Make sure to research any birdfeed brands before you buy them to ensure they are healthy and suitable for a cockatiel. Also, consider treating the cockatiel to some fresh fruit and vegetables.
Cage Maintenance Costs
A cockatiel’s cage requires a liner to absorb all the mess it makes. They’re a naturally messy bird that also enjoys a clean cage, so expect to clean it out several times a week. Cleaning isn’t too difficult, as you only need to replace the liner and give everything a wipe-down.
You can buy specialist bird liners from a pet store or use old newspapers if available. It’s recommended that you complete a deep clean with a bird cage cleaning solution every month.
So, the total costs for bird cage maintenance for a cockatiel are about $30 per year.
Cockatiel Toys
It is important that you provide a cockatiel with a constant supply of new toys. By giving them fresh toys, you ensure that the bird doesn’t become too bored or restless, with toys helping to keep them engaged.
Moreover, toys that encourage them to chew and scrape their beak encourage good beak health, making them an important component of their long-term care.
Also, bear in mind that a cockatiel is a highly social animal. They require lots of interactions to avoid negative behaviors, so consider toys that you can enjoy playing with together.
Consider budgeting around $10-$20 per month for toy supplies for your pet cockatiel.
The Average Yearly Cost of Keeping a Pet Cockatiel
So, if we combine all the above costs for ongoing cockatiel care, expect to pay around $200-$300 per year. Some years may have higher costs, such as when there are medical issues, while other years won’t be as expensive.
The biggest expenses for owning a cockatiel are mostly one-time purchases when you first buy the pet. After this, the average cost remains about $200-$300, which is cheaper than many other house pets.
Everything that your cockatiel needs are covered in these costs, including their housing, healthcare, food, and entertainment.
Is it Possible to Own a Cockatiel On a Budget?
Yes, it is possible to own a cockatiel on a tighter budget. However, spending less money does mean you need to spend more time with the bird.
For example, the main areas you can save on your cockatiel toys. Because these toys help to engage the bird, they need more attention from their owner instead. So, if you have more time to dedicate to your cockatiel, then you can save on living costs, mostly in the form of new toys and entertainment.
The Cost of Owning a Cockatiel
As the guide above shows, the price of owning a cockatiel range from just a few hundred to several hundred dollars. The highest costs are for the bird itself and suitable cage, which are likely to set you back around $300-$400.
After these initial prices, expect ongoing cockatiel care prices to average about $200-$300, covering things like healthcare, food, and entertainment. The only thing you can really cut back on for cockatiel care is their toys, but this means you need more time with your bird to keep it happy and engaged.
Beyond this, most of the expenses caring for a cockatiel aren’t adjustable, providing you want to offer them the best care.
As a cockatiel owner, your purpose isn’t to cut corners to save money – it’s to offer the best care and life for these majestic birds!