Closed rings and paperwork
Ask about closed leg rings, hatch dates and, for CITES-listed species such as African greys, the Article 10 certificate. Buying a bird without correct paperwork can leave you unable to sell or even keep it legally.
Quick answer
How much do birds cost in the UK?
Birds in the UK typically cost £20–£2,000. PetTrader lists them from licensed breeders, private sellers and rescues, with 5 species guides, prices, locations and health details on every advert.
- Typical price
- £20–£2,000
- Species guides
- 5
- Live adverts
- 0
- Seller checks
- ID verified
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Birds advice & buying guides
Cage and aviary size
The cage should let the bird fully stretch and flap its wings without touching the sides, and larger parrots need out-of-cage time every day. Bar spacing matters as much as overall size.
Lifespan is a commitment
Budgies live 8–12 years, cockatiels up to 20, and larger parrots can outlive their owners at 50–80 years. Plan for who will care for the bird long term.
How much do birds cost in the UK?
Birds typically sell for £20–£2,000 in the UK. Price depends on the breed or variety, health testing and registration paperwork, the seller's location and the time of year. An advert priced well below the band for its breed is one of the most common signs of an unlicensed seller or a scam.
| Breed | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| African Grey Parrot chicks | £800–£2,000 |
| Budgie chicks | £15–£60 |
| Cockatiel chicks | £60–£200 |
| Canary chicks | £25–£90 |
| Conure chicks | £250–£800 |
Birds for sale: common questions
How much do birds cost in the UK?+
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.
Where can I buy a parrot or budgie near me?+
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.
What paperwork should come with a parrot?+
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.
Which bird is best for a beginner?+
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.
How long do pet birds live?+
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.
Should birds be kept in pairs?+
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.
What size cage does a bird need?+
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.
How do I avoid scams when buying a bird online?+
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.
Where to advertise birds for sale
Selling rather than buying? Identity-verified private sellers get their first advert free, and the first 200 businesses and breeders get 12 months free. See all birds for sale, read where to advertise birds in the UK for the costs and legal rules, or rehome a pet you already own.