Question 1

How much do birds cost in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Prices range from about £20 for a budgie or canary, £40–£150 for cockatiels and lovebirds, £300–£800 for conures and Senegals, and £800–£2,000 or more for African Greys, Amazons and macaws. Hand-reared birds cost more than parent-reared, and the cage or aviary is a major additional cost.

Question 2

Where can I buy a parrot or budgie near me?

Accepted Answer

Filter the bird adverts on this page by species and distance from your postcode. Sellers include hobby breeders, aviary keepers and rescues, and each advert shows the species, age, whether the bird is hand-reared or parent-reared, and whether it is closed-ringed.

Question 3

What paperwork should come with a parrot?

Accepted Answer

Ask for the closed ring number or microchip details and a receipt showing the breeder's name. Species listed on CITES Annex A — including African Greys and many Amazons — must have an Article 10 certificate to be sold legally, so never buy one without it.

Question 4

Which bird is best for a beginner?

Accepted Answer

Budgies, cockatiels and canaries are the usual starting points: they are hardy, affordable and manageable in a family home. Larger parrots are loud, extremely long-lived and need several hours of interaction a day, so they suit experienced keepers.

Question 5

How long do pet birds live?

Accepted Answer

Budgies and canaries typically live 7–12 years, cockatiels 15–20, conures 20–30, and African Greys and macaws 40–60 years or more. Larger parrots often outlive their owners, so plan for who takes them on.

Question 6

Should birds be kept in pairs?

Accepted Answer

Budgies, canaries, finches and lovebirds are flock birds and do far better with company. Larger parrots can be kept singly if they get several hours of daily interaction, but a bird left alone all day will often scream or pluck its feathers.

Question 7

What size cage does a bird need?

Accepted Answer

Big enough for the bird to fully stretch and flap both wings without touching the sides, and wider than it is tall so it can fly across rather than only climb. Daily time out of the cage in a safe room, or a full aviary, is better than any cage on its own.

Question 8

How do I avoid scams when buying a bird online?

Accepted Answer

View the animal in person at the seller's own home before any money changes hands, keep all messages inside PetTrader so there is a record, and never pay by bank transfer, gift card or crypto to someone you have not met. Every PetTrader seller completes a photo-ID and live selfie check, and verified accounts carry a badge, and you can report an advert from the listing page.

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