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There are few things more fun than a parrot that talks. Technically, parrots learn via mimicry, which means they don’t actually learn language, but they do learn how to mimic words, phrases, and sounds that they hear. Because of their mimicry abilities, parrots can mimic everything from individual voices to car alarms to smoke detectors.
Many people don’t realize that there are a large number of parrot species that can talk. Even parakeets, one of the most popular pet birds, can learn how to speak, although they tend to not speak very clearly.
If you’re looking for a talking parrot at Petco, your best bet for a bird that speaks frequently and clearly is the quaker parrot, but they also sell conures and parakeets. And how much does one of these birds cost, exactly? Depending on the bird species you’re looking for, you can expect to pay between $20-$1,300 for a talking Parrot at Petco. Keep reading to find out more.
The Cost of Bringing Home a New Parrot From Petco
Quaker Parrot
Although they’re a great option if you’re looking for a talking bird, quakers do not come at a cheap price tag. As of 2023, Petco sells Quaker parrots for between $600–$700. You may also see Quaker parrots listed as quaker parakeets or monk parrots. Although expensive, you can expect a lifespan of up to 30 years with a quaker, so you’re investing in a long-term companion.
Conure
Like quakers, conures are a massive investment. In fact, they can cost up to $1,300 for a healthy bird from Petco. Petco currently carries two species of conure: green cheek conures and sun conures. Green-cheeked conures are more common, making them less expensive than their sun conure counterparts. These birds can live up to 20 years with proper care, so be prepared for a long-term commitment. You can expect a less chatty and harder-to-understand talker with the conure versus the quaker parrot.
Parakeet
Parakeets are not only the most popular pet bird in the US, but they’re also often considered to be the most popular pet birds across the world. Because of their availability and popularity, you can expect a low fee to purchase a parakeet from Petco. In 2023, the pricing at Petco for parakeets can reach up to $50. Petco carries fancy, blue, and green parakeets. You can expect a parakeet to live for 10–15 years with proper care.
Where Does Petco Get Their Birds?
The source of Petco’s birds can vary between store locations, but none of the birds they sell are wild-caught. All of Petco’s birds are purchased from breeders, but those breeders can vary by location. Petco stores in California, for example, likely source their birds from somewhere much closer than the breeder that Florida sources their birds. Some of their birds may come from small breeders, while others may come from commercial breeding operations or bird mill-type environments.
Because some of their birds do come from undesirable sources, many people warn against purchasing birds there in order to avoid supporting bird mills. However, your individual store should be able to tell you where they source their birds. In some cases, you may be purchasing a bird at Petco that was hand-raised locally.
Are Petco’s Talking Parrots Legal to Own?
Although the birds that Petco sells are legal to own in some areas, some states do have restrictions on the ownership of certain birds. These laws are in place to protect the bird species itself or to prevent an invasive species from getting loose.
Quaker Parrot
Quaker parrots may be extremely charming and lovable, but these birds are not legal to own everywhere. Over time, laws have been passed that banned the sale and ownership of quaker parrots in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Multiple other states allow the ownership of quaker parrots, but there are restrictions in place.
Why are they illegal to own? Because quaker parrots are extremely resilient birds that have shown an ability to become naturalized in some areas. Although 25 species of parrot have become naturalized in some areas of the US, the Quaker parrot is the most common. These birds may be aggressive and territorial toward native birds, and they can be a nuisance because of their noise and mess. They’ve also been known to consume crops, often to the point of hurting the local economy.
Conure
Sun conures are legal to own as pets across the United States, but there are notable restrictions on the importation of these birds. There are currently more sun conures living in captivity than in the wild, and this is considered an endangered species. However, Petco’s sun conures are captive-bred.
Green-cheeked conures, on the other hand, are listed as a species of least concern, although it’s believed that the wild population is decreasing. Like the sun conure, there aren’t restrictions on the ownership of green-cheeked conures, but there are restrictions on their importation from other countries.
Parakeet
There are some exotic and rare parakeet species that are illegal to own throughout the United States, but the parakeets that you purchase from Petco as pets are not restricted. Keep in mind that the quaker parrot is also considered a parakeet, so it falls into the restricted or illegal categories. It’s legal to own the blue, green, and fancy parakeets sold at Petco in all 50 American states.
Additional Costs to Factor In
When it comes to purchasing a bird of any species, you can expect pricey up-front costs. The larger the bird, the more expensive their supplies will be. Larger birds need more space, more food, and more cleaning. When you’re purchasing a talking parrot, regardless of species, you’ll be able to find most of the startup supplies you need at Petco.
While the employees can help you find some supplies, it’s best to research the species you want before going to the store and creating a list of everything you need. Don’t forget to account for the monthly costs of owning a bird as well, like food and cleaning supplies.
Conclusion
While Petco sells multiple bird species that could be considered “talking” birds, the quaker parrot is the chattiest. These birds are illegal to own or have restrictions on their ownership in many areas, though. They have become naturalized in multiple states and pose a threat to the native ecosystem. If you purchase a bird and realize you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, talk to Petco or a rescue about taking your bird off your hands. Don’t ever release a pet into the wild.
Featured Image Credit: VH-studio, Shutterstock
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