How much do budgies cost?
How much do budgies cost?
$30 – $300 average price (bird alone)
$70 – $300 average cage & accessories cost
Average budgie price
A budgie costs $30 to $300 on average, depending on the coloring and where you buy it. Budgies are a type of parakeet and require a cage, perches, and toys to keep them happy and healthy. You'll pay about $70 to $300 for the birdcage, food, toys, and other items.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Budgie | $30 – $300 |
| Cage | $30 – $200 |
| Food | $10 – $30 |
| Toys | $20 – $40 |
| Food & water containers | $10 – $30 |
| Average initial cost | $100 – $600 |
Budgie
The budgie itself will cost $30 to $300, depending on the source and the bird's coloring. Common colors like green or blue cost less than rare patterns or colors like violet, albino, Cinnamon, or Opaline varieties.
There are two basic types of budgie: English and American. English budgies are slightly bigger, fluffier, calmer, and sometimes a little more expensive than American budgies, which are also called American or Australian parakeets.
Cage
A budgie cage costs about $30 to $200 and should be at least 18 inches tall and wide. Budgies need plenty of room to spread their wings and exercise to be healthy. Along with the cage, you'll need:
Perches (preferably multiple kinds)
Liners on the bottom
A cover for nighttime
Food
You should make sure your budgie has food and water every day. Food for a budgie costs about $10 to $30 per month and includes:
Seeds
Pellets made from grains
Fresh fruits and veggies
Nuts (as a treat)
Toys
Toys for a budgie cost about $20 to $40 at first, and you'll have to replace broken or worn-down toys as needed. Budgies need toys to stay happy and mentally stimulated. They especially love hanging toys, foraging toys, and chew toys.
Food & water containers
Food and water bowls for a budgie cost $10 to $30. You can buy multiple bowls for different kinds of food or to have extras when you don't feel like doing dishes. Stainless steel bowls are preferable because of how durable they are.
Some bird food dishes have a heavy bottom to keep them from tipping over, and some conveniently attach to the cage.
What is a budgie?
A budgie is a type of parakeet or small parrot. The words "parakeet" and "budgie" are often used interchangeably, but they're not exactly the same. "Budgie" is short for budgerigar, which is a type of parakeet known for its small size.
All budgies are included under the parakeet umbrella, but not all parakeets are budgies. Other larger types of parakeets cost $300 to $1,300 for the bird itself.
Budgie cost factors
Several factors will impact the cost of taking home a budgie:
Color: Budgies with rare colors and patterns cost more than average, like the vivid yellow Lutino budgie or Anthracite budgies with black or dark gray feathers.
Number of birds: It's not necessary to have more than one budgie but having a second one could improve their well-being since budgies are considered social.
Location: Prices may be higher or lower depending on local markets and how many breeders or pet stores are nearby.
Vet visits: A standard vet visit costs $40 to $80, or more for emergency care. Budgies sometimes have infections, nutritional deficiencies, or parasites and will need veterinary care to get better.
Grooming: Clipping or filing your budgie's nails will prevent snags, scratches, and painful overgrowth. Alternatively, you could buy natural wooden perches or filing perches for their cage to keep their nails at the right length.
Wing clipping: Some owners clip their budgie's wings as they grow in, thinking it will prevent injury from flying into doors or windows too quickly. However, many professionals and budgie owners discourage wing-clipping because it can cause distress.
Alternatives
If you know you would like a pet bird but aren't sure if a budgie is right for you, check out these alternatives:
A cockatoo costs $700 to $3,000 for common species or $2,000 to $16,000 for rare species.
A parrot costs $50 to $500 for smaller types or up to $12,000 for larger varieties like African Grey or Macaw.
FAQs about budgies
How long do budgies live?
Pet budgies usually live for 7 to 15 years, which is about the same as a cat or dog! Before you commit to owning a budgie, make sure you're ready to take care of them for life.
Is a budgie a psittacine?
Yes, a budgie is a psittacine, or part of the parrot family. Budgies and common parakeets are the most common species of psittacine in the world.
What do budgies eat?
Budgies eat seeds, grain-based pellets, fresh fruits and veggies, and nuts. Don't feed your budgie an all-seed or all-nut diet as this could cause heart disease or potentially reduce their lifespan. Budgies can eat most fruits and veggies in small amounts, but you should never feed a parakeet any of the following:
Onions or garlic
Fruit pits or seeds
Avocados
Uncooked beans
Chocolate
Dairy products
Fried or salty food
Coffee
Tea
Alcohol
Xylitol
Can budgies talk?
Yes, you can teach a budgie to talk with a lot of practice and patience. However, they won't be able to speak as clearly or loudly as bigger parrots or cockatoos.
Where to find a budgie
You can usually buy a budgie from any of the following sources:
Rescue: You can sometimes find budgies at a shelter or rescue organization. This is normally the least expensive option, but not all shelters have birds available to adopt.
Breeder: Buying a budgie from a reputable breeder usually costs more, but they tend to be more reliable. They can also give you a health guarantee, documentation, some training, and guidance as needed.
Pet store: Most pet stores, including Petco or PetSmart, sell budgies. You can also order a budgie from an online pet store. Always look up reviews and make sure the pet store you choose has a good reputation first.
Questions to ask a vet
Ask a vet or other professional these important questions. This will help make sure you can take proper care of your new bird:
Should I take my budgie in for checkups? How often?
What kind of issues are common in this type of bird?
How can I prevent those issues?
What kind of toys do you recommend for budgies?
Can you recommend a certain brand or type of bird food?
Are there any supplements they'll need?
What type of grooming will I have to do?
Should I clip their nails myself, or should a professional do it?
Can I let my budgie out of the cage? How can I do that safely?
Who should I call if there's ever an emergency?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.