What is the Cost of a Cockatiel? Price Guide for 2023

Ownership of a cockatiel has many benefits but also comes with some new responsibilities. When adopting a new bird, it is important to take into consideration the bird’s lifespan. Some of the costs will only be one time in the beginning, but others will last for 10 to 15 more years.

You will also need to spend money on feeding the bird, buying new toys, etc. A good cage is essential for medium-sized parrots like cockatiels.

Be sure to have a sufficient budget set aside before you adopt a cockatiel. Find out how much it will cost to own a cockatiel this year.

Bring Home a Cockatiel – One-Time Costs

Initial costs are the highest when adopting a new Cockatiel. You should not spend the money that you spent upfront for the cage and bird on the same cockatiel. You can either adopt a feathered friend from a friend or use a breeder. A cockatiel can cost anywhere from $30 to $250.

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You may be able to adopt a Cockatiel free of charge. Most often, this happens when someone you know has a cockatiel and is looking to rehome the bird.

It is best to ask more questions when you are involved in such a transaction. If they have a valid reason for rehoming their cockatiel, such as moving and not being able to bring it with them, or because they cannot afford to take care of them anymore, they should be able to provide one.

Adopt a bird with a good training record and few behavioral issues. If you don’t have much experience in training, it will be difficult to live with them.

Adoption

• $30-100

Adopting a cockatiel is also possible from a shelter for pets. Someone who wants to give their cockatiel away but has to do it before a certain date can turn them over to an adoption agency or shelter. Ask your local shelter about the cockatiel’s behavior and training. You can visit the shelter several times before you decide to take it home.

Breeder

• $80-250

You can buy a cockatiel from a breeder if you don’t want to adopt one. Breeders often select birds from lines that are known for their friendly and docile nature. Breeders are more likely than pet stores to have a bird with exceptional behavior. However, a cockatiel can cost between $80 and $250.

Adopting from a breeder allows you to check their history and the origins of the parents. When you adopt from a pet store, the birds are often not produced using the best breeding practices and care.

There is only one species of the cockatiel. They are usually sold based on their color patterns. The birds shown below are all cockatiels, but their patterns and colors can make them more valuable.

Lutino Cockatiel	From $150 to $250
Cinnamon Cockatiel	From $130 to $160
Pied Cockatiel	From $110 to $170
Pearl Cockatiel:	From $150 to $200

Buy Supplies

• $10-25 per month

Cockatiels don’t require much setup after you have equipped their cages for the first. You should still put aside a few dollars every month for emergencies. You will need to replace their bowls and perches every once in a while. The toys are also quickly consumed because the dogs love to chew and pick at things.

Cockatiel Care Products and Cost List

ID Tag (Ankle band)	$5
Spay/Neuter	N/A
Cost of X-Ray	$45-$135
Ultrasound Cost	N/A
Microchip	N/A
Bed/Tank/Cage	$90-$200
Back/Travel Cage	$50
Perches	$20-$30
Toys	$20
Food and Water Bowls	$10

Annual Expenses

• $150-215 dollars per year

After you’ve made the initial purchase of the cage and bird, you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars yearly. The cost will depend on what you invest in food and toys.

You can also save money if you have an emergency or something breaks.

Health Care

• Spend $35-50 per Year

Your cockatiel should still be checked annually by an avian veterinarian, even if they are not sick. Since they don’t have teeth, they don’t need dental care. Domestic birds in cages are also not usually vaccinated. Even though these things do not need to be maintained, it’s still a good idea to set aside a little money each month for emergencies. It is best to be prepared for emergencies, even if they are not frequent.

Check-Ups

• Spend $35-$50 per year

The majority of veterinarians are unfamiliar with the diseases and illnesses that can affect birds. It is better to seek out a veterinarian who specializes in avian animals. It is not easy to find avian vets, but as this should be an annual visit, it’s important that you find someone who can properly care for your birds.

A check-up is usually inexpensive and short. You should train your bird to be docile in the vet’s office.

Vaccinations

• N/A

Domesticated birds can be vaccinated. Polyomavirus is the most common vaccine for your bird. It is not necessary and it can be a very traumatic experience for a tiny creature. It is always best to consult your veterinarian before deciding whether or not to vaccinate your bird.

Dental

• N/A

They do not require dental care because cockatiels and other parrots don’t have teeth. You don’t need to do much else for cockatiels as long as they have safe toys to chew on, and something to scrape on their beak to keep their trims. These costs are included in the cost of supply.

Parasite Treatments

• Spending $50 to $100 per year

A pet bird kept indoors is unlikely to have a parasite infestation. You should always clean your fresh fruits and vegetables before giving them to your bird. If you buy your bird at a reputable retailer, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Take your bird to the vet if you suspect that it has a parasite. The vet will be able to test your bird and prescribe the correct medication.

Emergencies

• Spending $50 to $150 per year

It is best to save for unexpected medical costs. You should save at least $10 per month to ensure that if you ever need to take your bird to the veterinarian, you will be able to pay without having to compromise the rest of your budget.

Medication for Chronic Conditions

• Spending $50 to 120 dollars per year

It is likely that as your bird gets older, their bodies will no longer be able to process food the same way. You may need to give them supplements or medicines to keep their health.

Insurance

• $120,001 per year

It is not necessary to pay a lot of money for insurance on exotic pets like cockatiels. It depends on the bird’s rarity, its age, and its health. Insurance rates will increase for cockatiels only if the bird has a rare color pattern or mutation. Shop around for insurance before making a decision.

Food

• $120-240 per year

Cockatiels need the same diet as any other bird. Pet stores sell a variety of foods, such as seed mixes and pellets. You should ensure that you are buying food from a reputable company. You can give them fresh fruits and veggies that are healthy and safe. They will also get all the vitamins and minerals needed to stay healthy.

Environment Maintenance

• Spend $15-25 a year

The cage will be where they spend most of their time. It will keep them healthy if you make it fun and exciting. Cockatiels are messy birds but prefer clean environments.

Replace the bottom liner of the cage at least once a week. Most people use recycled or old newspapers. At least once a week, you should clean the cage thoroughly with a bird-safe chemical.

Newspaper or cage liners	$5/month
Cleaning wipes	$5/month

Enjoy the Entertainment

• $120-240 per year

Toys are essential for cockatiels. To keep them entertained, they need to have things that are interesting. These birds need to be around people a lot. They are affectionate. They will display self-destructive behavior if they are not stimulated or left alone for too long.

The Total Cost of Owning Cockatiels

• $115-350 per annum

The initial cost to buy the cage and bird has nothing to do with your total annual cost. After the initial costs, you should expect to spend between $200 and $300 per year.

The cost of this includes the cage, toys, food, and any medical costs.

Cockatiels on a Budget

You can own a Cockatiel without breaking the bank. What you do not spend in terms of money on them will often be in the form of time.

If you want to save money, you can cut back on the cost of toys and enclosure features. You can make them self-destructive by not providing these items. They may start to pick their skin and pull their feathers out.

If they have nothing to do during the day, you will need to be with them more.

Cockatiel care: Save money

Save money by removing their toys before they destroy them, or not replacing them immediately after the child has finished playing with them. Bird toys are usually designed to be pulled apart and pecked. Birds are naturally inclined to pull apart objects to investigate or build nests.

The conclusion of the article is:

You can expect to pay anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars depending on the way you adapt your cockatiel. A high-quality cage is also a good investment, as it will likely be the bird’s home for at least a decade. This initial cost can be as high as $400 for a bird that is treated well from the start.

The annual cost of caring for a Cockatiel is closer to between $200 and $350. This range is largely determined by the amount you spend on treats and toys. There isn’t much else to negotiate when it comes to their care.

As their caregiver, you are responsible for the quality of their life. Do everything you can to improve their quality of life.