These Expensive Birds Are as Cool as It Gets

Getting a bird can be rewarding, but it can also be extremely pricey.

Looking for a new feathered friend? Getting a bird can be rewarding, but it can also be extremely pricey.

The cost of a bird typically depends on its rarity and appearance, with some birds of the same species going for drastically different prices. Just see for yourself. Here are the 30 most expensive birds in the world that are as cool as it gets.

30. White Peacock

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Price tag: Up to $275

Yes, people do own pet peacocks, the most expensive of which is the white peacock; however, they are still very affordable.

The more perfect the bird, though, the higher the price.

Bottom Line: White Peacock

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While some white peacocks have gone for up to $1,000, younger birds are much cheaper. Chicks are about $30 and hatched eggs can reach up to $85.

Unlike the other birds on this list, peacocks need a coop instead of a cage.

White Peacock in Action

29. Gouldian Finch

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Price tag: $500

Native to northern Australia, Gouldian Finches are the most expensive of their species.

This bird is critically endangered due to the illegal pet trade — with only about 10,000 remaining in the wild.

Bottom Line: Gouldian Finch

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These small, colorful creatures only grow to about 6 inches, and because they are small, they should not be held in the same way you would hold a parrot.

Gouldian Finches don’t do well as solitary birds, so plan on having a flock.

Gouldian Finch in Action

28. Double Yellow Headed Amazon

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Price tag: Up to $1,500

Want a parrot that can sing opera? The Double Yellow Headed Amazon (DYH) is just that bird!

This medium-sized parrot is one of the most popular pet birds in the U.S., due to its vocal talents and colorful feathers.

Bottom Line: Double Yellow Headed Amazon

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The DYH can exhibit destructive behavior such as chewing on furniture if it is not mentally and physically engaged.

This bird lives up to 80 years, so an owner must plan accordingly for the bird’s long life.

Double Yellow Headed Amazon in Action

27. Lilac Crowned Amazon

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Price tag: $1,800

Smaller than most Amazon parrots, the Lilac Crowned Amazon does not have the bossy demeanor of its kin.

It is a quiet, gentle creature with impeccable manners.

Bottom Line: Lilac Crowned Amazon

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These pretty little birds have been kept as pets since the 1800s and are popular, loving companions.

Make sure your bird has plenty of room to move and toys inside and outside its cage, as physical activity will keep its mind engaged and reduce its risk of obesity.

Lilac Crowned Amazon in Action

23. Vosmaeri Eclectus (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $2,000

The Vosmaeri Eclectus was once thought to be a boring wallflower, but its personality is quite the opposite.

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It is an active, intelligent bird that is leery of new people and unfamiliar situations and takes a “wait-and-see” approach.

Once its trust is earned, the Vosmaeri Eclectus is extremely talkative, friendly and curious with its owners.

Vosmaeri Eclectus in Action

23. Goffin’s Cockatoo (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $2,000

A smaller cockatoo species, the Goffin’s Cockatoo is a perfect companion for the owner who has made a solid commitment to it.

Like other parrots, it is extremely intelligent, friendly, social and lives up to 40 years.

Bottom Line: Goffin’s Cockatoo

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Just because it’s smaller and easier to care for doesn’t mean it’s any less demanding than a larger parrot.

It needs just as much mental and physical interaction.

Goffin’s Cockatoo in Action

23. Moluccan Cockatoo (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $2,000

Also known as the Salmon-Crested, Rose-Crested and Pink-Crested Cockatoo, Moluccan Cockatoos are native to Indonesia and are a vulnerable species.

The Moluccan lives over 60 years and, therefore, needs a life-long commitment.

Bottom Line: Moluccan Cockatoo

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If well-trained, this happy, social bird is quite affectionate, which makes it a popular choice for a pet. However, it can be very demanding and exhibit bad behavior if it feels neglected.

If you don’t like loud noise, you may want to consider another breed. After all, the Moluccan is one of the loudest birds in the world.

Moluccan Cockatoo in Action

23. Blue and Gold Macaw (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $2,000

This endangered species has become a very popular house pet.

Since 1935, they have been bred successfully in captivity, and their increased numbers have made them a more affordable choice for those who have always wanted an exotic bird.

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The Blue and Gold is friendly, fun and eager to please.

They are known for their ability to pull off complex tricks and are often headliners at bird shows.

Blue and Gold Macaw in Action

21. Severe Macaw (Tie)

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Price tag: $2,500

The Severe Macaw is a social bird; in order to keep them happy, healthy and well-behaved, they require at least two hours of mental stimulation and companionship each day.

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These birds love being with their human family, as it represents the feeling of a flock.

Even though the Severe Macaw is a smaller parrot, it does need a large cage to really stretch its wings.

Severe Macaw in Action

21. Military Macaw (Tie)

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Price tag: $2,500

The Military Macaw is named as such because it looks like it’s wearing a military uniform.

The bird’s numbers have declined in the wild, due primarily to habitat loss; however, it is a well-loved, popular pet.

Bottom Line: Military Macaw

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The Military Macaw is prone to boredom and loneliness — so having more than one is ideal.

Those with small children should avoid this breed, though, as it has a large, powerful beak.

Military Macaw in Action

16. Yellow Naped Amazon (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $3,000

Yellow Naped Amazons are highly intelligent and social; therefore, they need a great deal of attention and an experienced owner.

Plenty of one-on-one time each day is essential to establish and maintain a healthy bond between bird and owner.

Bottom Line: Yellow Naped Amazon

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These birds can live up to 90 years, so be sure and have a plan in place for their lifetime.

If you’re adopting, get a full account of their history, as past trauma can hinder their rehabilitation.

Yellow Naped Amazon in Action

16. Blue Fronted Amazon (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $3,000

The Blue Fronted Amazon is not only known for its vibrant colorings but also its outgoing personality.

They greatly enjoy the company of their human owners and are generally friendly with other birds but can become aggressive if stressed and even swoop down on a perceived threat.

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The Blue Fronted can be found at some pet stores.

However, breeders are a better bet, as they can verify the bird’s history.

Blue Fronted Amazon in Action

16. Galah Cockatoo (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $3,000

This small parrot hails from Australia and makes a wonderful pet. It is quite fond of humans and is highly intelligent with the ability to perform complex tricks when well-trained.

While loving and affectionate, they are not big cuddlers.

Bottom Line: Galah Cockatoo

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Never neglect a Galah Cockatoo — even though they are smaller in stature, they will become depressed and angry and can wreak destruction upon a home, much like a larger parrot.

This bird lives from 40 to 70 years in captivity.

Galah Cockatoo in Action

16. Red Fan Parrot (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $3,000

The Red Fan Parrot is known for the crown of red feathers around its head. It hails from Central and South America and is endangered due to the illegal pet trade and habitat loss.

Females are rarer than males and, therefore, cost more.

Bottom Line: Red Fan Parrot

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This bird is not common in the U.S.; however, it can sometimes be found through breeders.

Like other parrots, they need plenty of attention and an experienced owner.

Red Fan Parrot in Action

16. Red Lored Amazon (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $3,000

A very popular pet, the Red Lored Amazon is a comedian that loves to talk.

It enjoys plenty of verbal interactions, which can sometimes involve a scream at sunrise to let you know it’s awake and ready to start its day.

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The Red Lored can be naughty if not trained properly, so make sure to train them well and be a disciplinarian when necessary.

Because of their popularity, they are easy to find through rescues and adoption agencies.

Red Lored Amazon in Action

15. Timneh African Grey

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Price tag: Up to $3,500

The Timneh African Grey, like some other birds on this list, is endangered due to the illegal pet trade and habitat loss.

This bird is said to have the intellectual capacity of a 5-year-old child; emotionally, it is more like a 2-year-old.

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The African Grey errs on the side of caution when it encounters new situations.

Trust must be earned, but once it is, the bird becomes a full-fledged, chatty member of the family.

Timneh African Grey in Action

11. Umbrella Cockatoo (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $4,000

Umbrella Cockatoos are likely the most popular cockatoo breed in the U.S.

They are friendly, funny and form strong bonds with their owners — they even like to cuddle!

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Umbrella Cockatoos love being spoiled and need a dedicated, caring owner to keep them happy.

Umbrella rescue organizations can be found with young birds across the country — they are so demanding of attention that inexperienced owners often give them up early on.

Umbrella Cockatoo in Action

11. Scarlet Macaw (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $4,000

The Scarlet Macaw is a popular bird, with striking, multi-colored plumage.

Highly intelligent and full of energy, it can be very affectionate and will form a strong bond with its owner if it’s the only bird in the household.

Bottom Line: Scarlet Macaw

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But a Scarlet that is not properly trained and attended to can become aggressive and destructive — so the more experience an owner has with one, the better. Their price depends mostly on their vibrant coloring and if they were hand raised.

They can also be found through rescues or adoption agencies, as they are also too much bird for inexperienced owners.

Scarlet Macaw in Action

11. Green Wing Macaw (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $4,000

The Green Wing Macaw is sometimes referred to as a “gentle giant” due to its easy-going manner.

However, it can bite when stressed and, therefore, should not be in a home with small children.

Bottom Line: Green Wing Macaw

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The Green Wing Macaw is the second largest parrot in size after the Hyacinth Macaw, and it can live anywhere from 50 to 80 years.

Much like other parrots, it needs plenty of attention to thrive as well as an extremely large enclosure and plenty of toys to challenge its mind.

Green Wing Macaw in Action

11. Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Tie)

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Price tag: Up to $4,000

The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo is one of the larger species in the cockatoo family. It is also one of the most intelligent parrots — it has the learning capacity of a 2-year-old.

It is also quite noisy, as it loves to talk.

Bottom Line: Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

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This pet demands a lot of attention; therefore, only experienced bird owners are up to the task.

The Sulphur-Crested is a once-in-a-lifetime pet and can live up to 80 years.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in Action

10. Ayam Cemani Chicken

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Price tag: Up to $5,000

The Ayam Cemani’s bones, meat and feathers are all black due to fibromelanosis, or hyperpigmentation.

But the eggs they lay are cream-colored.

Bottom Line: Ayam Cemani Chicken

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In certain cultures, these rare birds are believed to have supernatural powers, and their body parts are sometimes used in traditional ceremonies.

There are some breeders in the U.S., but they are still quite rare and not recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA).

Ayam Cemani Chicken in Action

9. Catalina Macaw

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Price tag: $5,000+

The Catalina Macaw is bred from a Scarlet Macaw and a Blue-and-Gold Macaw; this crossbreed only occurs in captivity.

Catalinas are both friendly and regal, traits they inherit from their parents.

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These affectionate, intelligent birds love attention and will form a deep bond with their owners.

While the Catalina can be a one-person bird, with the right training, it will form relationships with all members of the family.

Catalina Macaw in Action

8. Congo African Grey

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Price tag: About $6,700

Congo African Greys are extremely intelligent, popular pets.

They are known for their ability to mimic sounds, words and phrases and can copy both male and female voices and inflections.

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Congos are also one-person birds — they generally shun most everyone else.

A healthy African Grey can live up to 60 years.

Congo African Grey in Action

7. Toucan

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Price tag: $8,500+

Toucans are rare as pets because, even among experienced bird owners, keeping them isn’t easy.

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Their high maintenance comes into play because they have exceptionally delicate diets.

In captivity, they eat fresh fruit but should never be given citrus, as it can cause hemochromatosis or “iron storage” illness, which can be fatal.

Toucan in Action

6. Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

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Price tag: Up to $10,000

These salmon pink cockatoos are intelligent, social creatures who can be a handful for an inexperienced owner.

They, too, are one-person birds who require plenty of attention.

Bottom Line: Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

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The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo can live up to 80 years in captivity, which means they may outlive you, so make sure to have a plan in place.

They can be temperamental, too. Those that are neglected will show their anger through a variety of destructive behaviors, such as self-mutilation and chewing on household objects.

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo in Action

5. Hyacinth Macaw

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Price tag: $10,000+

The more vibrant the color of the beautiful blue Hyacinth Macaw is, the higher the price.

The birds can live up to 50 years, with adolescents and young adults the most expensive.

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Baby Hyacinth Macaws are not recommended as pets because they are weak and need an expert hand.

Because they are so expensive, they rarely come up as rescues.

Hyacinth Macaw in Action

4. Black Palm Cockatoo

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Price tag: $15,000+

This rare pet can fetch up to $19,000 and needs an experienced, dedicated owner to thrive.

They are attention seekers, and the owner who neglects them will have an extremely loud, mischievous bird on their hands.

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The Black Palm Cockatoo is highly intelligent and needs plenty of mental stimulation.

The bird needs a very large enclosure and accessories, which can drive up costs by a few more thousand dollars.

Black Palm Cockatoo in Action

3. Blue Solomon Island Eclectus

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Price tag: Up to $22,000

There are much cheaper parrots in the Electus family than the Blue Solomon; its color mutation makes it the rarest of its kind.

Bottom Line: Blue Solomon Island Eclectus

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These sensitive birds are the perfect pet for the experienced bird owner; however, they do need a stress-free environment.

In addition to the price of the Blue Solomon itself, it will need a large cage, plenty of toys, fresh food and yearly vet visits that can quickly add up.

Blue Solomon Island Eclectus in Action

2. Spix Macaw

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Price tag: $200,000

The Spix Macaw is one of the most expensive birds on this list because it’s virtually extinct in the wild.

Its last known natural sighting in Brazil was in 2001, not including the fact that there were more than 50 captive birds released back into the wild in 2020.

Bottom Line: Spix Macaw

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Nevertheless, these are not pets, and the only way anyone comes into ownership of one is through the illegal pet trade.

Spix Macaw in Action

1. Racing Pigeon

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Price tag: $1 million+

Formerly a pastime of the working class, racing pigeons has become a sport of the elite, particularly in China, where millions are spent on the perfect pigeon.

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In late 2020, New Kim, a female pigeon raised in Antwerp, Belgium, was sold for a record $1.8 million, beating the $1.48 million price for Armando, a male pigeon, sold in 2019.