Cockatoo Price
Cockatoos are one of the most loving, social, and intelligent birds around. They have beautiful crest feathers varying in color from grey, white, to pink. Cockatoos are mostly referred to as “Velcro” birds due to their friendly nature and need to be around humans. In this article, we will talk about what it takes to own a cockatoo and the Cockatoo Price.
If you are reading this article, you most likely have or are getting a bird for a pet. Well, great idea! Birds are amazing, and if well taken care of, will provide great companionship over the years. However, you have to ask yourself a couple of questions before deciding to adopt a pet cockatoo.
For one, cockatoos live up to 50–60 years on average! They are also quite demanding birds. Ranging between medium-sized and big, they will require a spacious cage with toys, which will need to be regularly added to the list. On top of this, you must consider the kind of diet they will need throughout their lives, plus medical expenses.
Sally – Tanimbar Corella Cockatoo
Mercy – Red Tailed Black Cockatoo
Luna – Solomon’s Cockatoo
Layla – Yellow Crested Cockatoo
Darla – Cockatiel Cockatoo
Bradley – Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo
Blaze – Salmon Crested Cockatoo
Archy – Caparrotua Cockatoo Parrot
Angel – Glossy Back Cockatoo Parrot
Lesser Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo
Rocky – Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
Ways You Can Adopt Cockatoo
Due to their extended lifespan, a cockatoo may cost a bit of money, especially during the initial stages of acquiring the bird. However, some costs will only be one time, including the cage and the bird, if you are paying up front.
With the initial cost of purchase, you can expect the cockatoo price to run up between $375 and $16,000, with each additional year costing you up to between $405 and $780. These numbers are just estimates but can help you get an approximation of the purchase over the years.
You may be wondering how you can get your hands on a cockatoo. Here are a few ways:
Free
You can get a cockatoo free of charge. This mostly happens when you get one from a friend or a person willing to give up their bird. However, as they say, there’s no free lunch! Before getting any birds from anyone, you need to get some information about them first.
Most birds are given away because the owner can’t take care of the bird due to certain reasons. Ensure you get a good healthy bird because sickly bird may also end up running costs at the vet
Adopting
- $1,000–$4,000
There are various cockatoo breeds, each coming at varying prices depending on a couple of factors, including species, temperament, training, age, and the previous owner. Cockatoos also come in differing values depending on the birds’ rarity.
Adoption is quite a bit cheaper as they mostly rely on shelters to sell what they can get their hands on. Here you can get cheaper birds; however, ensure you take a good look at the bird before making the purchase and try to get as much information about them as possible.
Breeder
- $3,500–$16,000
A breeder needs to make a profit. This means they are most likely to have the best, well-maintained, and well-behaved birds to get top dollar per sale.
Breeder birds are carefully selected, bred, and trained to provide the client with the best species. Here you will also get all the information on the bird, including their ancestry, disease tracking, and more.
Some Cockatoo Species and Prices
Palm Cockatoo Price
This is the most expensive cockatoo in existence, which goes up to $16,000. The bird is hard to breed and rare, too.
For those interested in the bigger kinds of cockatoo, this is the perfect match. It is one of the popular species ranging between $1,000–$3,000.
Moluccan Cockatoo
This is another common type of cockatoo, especially in the United States. The price for this bird ranges between $1,400 and $3,500, and it is most common among bid sellers and will be easy to find.
Goffin’s Cockatoo
The Goffin’s cockatoo is another common type of cockatoo readily available in most pet shops. It is easy to keep and breed and will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000.
Galah Cockatoo
This is one of the smaller kinds of bird species, pink in color and it breeds easily. The bird is quite affordable, ranging between $700 and $2,200.
Essential Supplies for Cockatoos
| PRODUCT | COST |
| Cage | $100–$300 |
| Purchase Price | $1,000–$16,000 |
| Perches | $40–$60 |
| Cage Cover | $20–$30 |
| Food Water & Dishes | $15–$25 |
| Toys | $40–$60 |
| Food | $300–$400 |
| Treats | $50–$100 |
| Medical Needs | $100 |
| Vet Visits | $100 |
| Grooming tools | $15–$20 |
| Cage Cove | $20–$300 |
| Total | $2,000–$33,000 |
Initial Setup and Additional Supplies
The cockatoo’s initial costs will include several things such as the bird’s cost, cage, and cage accessories. As stated, the cost will start from $1,000, depending on the species and rarity of the cockatoo. The cage will be something spacious and well-built for the birds’ comfort; you can get it from anywhere between $200 and $2,000.
You will also need a few accessories, toys, and grooming supplies, valued at around $200.
Initial costs will mainly be mostly one-time purchases, which will be knocked off on several of your next purchases, making it more affordable to keep the bird. Ensure you get value for your money and buy quality materials for the pet.
Avoid any lead and zinc-based toys and chewable things the cockatoo may indulge in as they may pose some health hazards.
How Much Does Maintenance Cost Per Month
- $200–$1,000
Cockatoos are generally low-maintenance birds but can still dent your pocket if not well taken care of. The bird is healthy and rarely gets sick, but you will need several things including food supplements, veterinary care, and cleaning supplies.
Don’t be surprised if you cross the $1,000 mark, especially if you visit the vet regularly. Although the bird rarely falls ill, it requires checkups and may at times get some emergency health complications.
In addition, certain factors such as the conditions you keep your bird in, including diet, food, and habitat, will go a long way in helping you save some money from the monthly vet bills.
Likely monthly expenditures include:
Health Care/Vet Visits
- $150–$1,000
You can do your best to provide the best care for your bird but some illnesses may be inevitable. You never know when you may need the vet, and being an avian species may require a specialized kind of vet who may translate to more money.
Although generally quite healthy, cockatoos are not disease-proof. It is also important to take them to the vet occasionally for a checkup, which may help dodge some diseases creeping up.
Due to their long lifespan, cockatoos may fall into some long-term diseases such as diabetes or heart diseases, which may require some expensive medication. The lifestyle you provide for your bird over time will help you maintain a healthy pet that will enjoy a good life.
Food
- $50–$60
Cockatoos need a variety in their diet including high-quality seeds, pellets, and complete foods. Plus, if you love to spoil your bird, there are several treats you can get but remember to keep them at a minimum.
There are several brands to choose from, which may end up reducing or running up the cost. The best trick here is to find quality products at the lowest prices, which may require a bit of research. The best diet for a cockatoo includes various fruits and vegetables.
Ensure you feed the pet the right diet with a minimum of teats. Do not give your bird junk treats; this may lead to unhealthy traits and habits over time. The bird may even reject the healthier foods opting for junk and treats.
Grooming
- $10–$20
After removing the bird’s initial cost and the cage’s cost, you will find it affordable to cater for a bird annually, especially if you have some insurance.
A cockatoo will cost you between $400 and $780, including toy feeding and medical expenses. However, this cost may go up, especially in case of medical emergencies.
Additional Cost to Factor In
- $100–$400
There are several things people will never inform you about when adopting a bird such as a cockatoo. You may think a cage, food, toys, and medical expenses are the end of it, but several other things may come in.
One of the main things is pet sitting in case you cannot travel with the bird. Getting a good pet sitter may be a problem. In addition, if the bird needs some behavioral training, you may incur some extra costs. Apart from these, there are some house damages, cage damages, and other victims of the bird’s beak, which may end up running up costs.
Owning a Pet on a Budget
You can still own a bird on a budget; all you have to do is change the tact of keeping her, and you’ll see some money saved. For one, if you have more time at home, you can spend it with the bird, letting her roam around the house with you. This will save you some money on toys; however, this does not mean not buying any toys at all for the birds, as they may start self–destructing by biting their feathers off.
In addition, the features you introduce to the pet’s cage can be reduced to save some money. However, ensure the reduction is not so much as to mess with the comfort of the bird.
You can also add another pet to keep each other company; another bird, pet, or dog will do the trick. Ensure you are careful while introducing them and ensuring they are used to each other before leaving them alone together.
Saving Money on Cockatoo Care
You can purchase the cage and customize it by yourself. This may cut down on the cost of buying a ready-made cage.
The kind of diet you provide for your bird can also go a long way in saving you some money on medical expenditures. You can buy in bulk at a wholesale price; remember to keep the diet as healthy as possible, with a small number of treats.
Also, ensure you get strong, sturdy, and quality bird products, including cages and perches. Remember, cheap may sometimes be expensive, and you may end up replacing or constantly repairing the bird’s cage or perch.