If you have not priced parrots yet, hang on to your wallet! Depending on your choice of species, the purchase price can range from $175 for a Quaker Parrot to $10,000 for a Hyacinth Macaw. You will naturally want to shop for a bird that is hand-fed, fully weaned (never under any circumstances should you buy an unweaned bird Taylor's Story.), and well-socialized. Prices for such birds tend to be toward the upper end of the price range for each species. As the title says, parrots are expensive, but the purchase price is just the beginning. Let's take a look at some estimated costs for a few common pet species.
Cockatiel Quaker Parrot Alexandrine Parakeet Sun Conure African Grey Parrot Eclectus Parrot DYH Amazon Umbrella Cockatoo Scarlet Macaw Average Price   ** $65 $175 $300 $300 $800 $850 $950 $1000 $1400
Then we add accessories and initial costs. ( Internet averages +- 33%)
King Cage Economy * $400 $400 $550 $425 $650 $650 $550 $550 $1,000 Play Gym $60 $60 $60 $60 $70 $70 $70 $70 $110 Toys $50 $50 $75 $50 $100 $100 $100 $100 $150 First-Aid Kit $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 DNA Sexing $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 Initial Vet Check-up $125 $125 $125 $125 $125 $125 $125 $125 $125
*  Cage Width = Next larger size over Average wingspan X 1.25. This is absolute minimum, not a recommendation. **  Parrot purchase prices are average prices for each species taken from breeder sites on the web.
Average total cost you could expect to pay just to get the bird home, but don't stop here. There is more below!
Average Initial Cost $775 $885 $1185 $1135 $1820 $1870 $1870 $1920 $2860
Ok, now that you have the bird home let's take a look at some monthly maintenance cost estimates.
Pellet Feed and Treats $15 $25 $40 Fresh Fruits & Veggies $15 $20 $30 Fresh Nuts - - $20 New Toys $10 $15 $30 Monthly Total $40 $60 $120 Annual Sub-Total $480 $720 $1,440 Add in routine annual veterinary and vacation expenses. Check-ups $100 $125 $150 7 Days Boarding $55 $70 $105
Average annual maintenance costs you could expect to pay!
Average Annual Cost $635 $915 $1,695
People often view adoption as a means of acquiring a "cheap" bird. This may or may not be true, depending on the policies of the particular rescue the bird is adopted from. However, the point here is that even if you get the bird free, there are still considerable costs in housing, maintaining, and careing for it. Are you willing and able to make this financial commitment for the next 20 to 80 years? If you can't, then a parrot is not the right pet for you.
So you want to own a parrot?