How Much Does a Macaw Cost? (Price Guide 2024)
Last Updated on December 23, 2023 by Ali Shahid
A macaw is a brand-new world parrot. Known for their vivid colors, charming appearances, and comical yet intelligent personalities, they are one of the most popular pet birds in the world. However, they are also very expensive. This is why macaw lovers often ask:
How much does a macaw cost?
With around 19 species of parent macaws and approximately 35 hybrid macaws, macaws range in price from $1000-$25,000. There are additional costs of buying a macaw like cages, macaw accessories, veterinary bills, diet, maintenance, care, and pet insurance to name a few.
However, if you are lucky enough, you can adopt a macaw from a rescue organization at a low price of $400-$500.
Whenever you own a pet, it is imperative to take into consideration your financial responsibilities. The cost of a bird does not end with its purchase price. Furthermore, macaws have a long lifespan – with an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years.
Furthermore, you must decide whether you intend to keep only one. It has been my experience that owners enjoy owning macaws so much that they end up having multiple birds.
These specific species of parrots are known for their intelligence as well as their fun and affectionate natures. When you’re excited about bringing a macaw home, it is easy to overlook the financial aspects of the purchase and assume that you can afford it.
In this regard, we will need to examine all the costs involved in greater detail. Let’s see how much is a macaw.
One-Time Price of a Different Macaw Species
Each type of macaw has its price, and the price will be determined by the type of bird you choose. To learn more about the different types of macaws available for sale in the pet trade, you will need to conduct some research.
Breeder You should expect to pay quite a bit for your Macaw if you choose to purchase it directly from a breeder. Raising macaws is expensive and challenging. It’s a big financial commitment for breeders to raise these birds.
We have compiled a list of prices for different macaw species. Prices are taken from reputed macaw sellers and breeders in the US such as macawsfarm, birdsnow, and birdbreeders. Let’s take a look at these prices.
- Hyacinth Macaw: $22,000-$25,000
- Blue & Gold Macaw: $1500-$7500
- Blue Throated Macaw: $3000-$8000
- Green Wing Macaw: $1900-$7500
- Hahn’s Macaw: $3500
- Illiger Macaw: $2900-$4500
- Military Macaw: $1800
- Red Fronted Macaw: $5500
- Scarlet Macaw: $1750-$8000
- Severe Macaws: $2000-$3500
- Yellow-Collared Macaw: $4200
- Lutino Macaw: $17000-45000
You can also adopt a macaw from a rescue organization or an adoption center. Normally, the charges are less compared to what you have to pay to a breeder. When adopting a macaw you have to pay around $400-$500.
However, if you are lucky enough you can adopt a macaw for free of cost. It is extremely unlikely that you can get a macaw for free. Typically, the bird will be offered for free upfront to someone if the original owner is no longer able to care for it.
You may encounter a macaw that is free of charge but remember that the bird is the only one that is free. You still have to spend a lot on setting up and caring for the animal for decades.
Cages and Accessories Cost
- Cage: $100-$500+
- Cage Liner: $5-$25
- Perches: $25-$100
- Toys: $25-$100
- Feeding Plates/Water Dishes: $5-$30
- Calcium Block: $5-$10
- Flight Harness: $25-$50
- Cleaning Supplies: $10-$20
Before bringing your bird home, you should make sure you have everything you need to care for it. Depending on your preferences, budget, and the needs of your bird, the cost will vary.
Macaws are exceptionally huge birds. So they need large cages. Hence, cages may be rather pricey. These can cost upwards of $2,000 but often fall into the $100 to $500 region for the cage itself.
Macaws are social creatures who thrive on mental stimulation. For mental stimulation, you have to provide toys and perches for your macaw. Macaws can develop behavioral and infectious issues due to stress if proper care is not provided.
Liners, dishes for food and water, and mineral blocks for the bottom of the cage are all necessities.
Some owners choose to have a flying harness available to enhance their macaw’s experience by enabling it to explore. You may even construct engaging play areas outside the cage to satisfy your macaw’s amusement demands.
Maintenance and Ongoing Costs (Per Month)
- Diet: $100-$200
- Treats: $10-$30
- Grooming and bathing: $30-$40
- Veterinary bills: $200-$500
- Pet insurance: $20-$100
- Changing accessories: $10-$30
- Emergency Care: $1000-$2000
The majority of the budget goes toward the macaw parrots’ expensive feed. In addition, you will need treats while training your macaws.
Roughly every month, your parrot will require a checkup and grooming (wing clipping and nail clipping). Some individuals consider pet insurance because they believe it will outweigh the cost of monthly checkups. Toys, perches, food, and water dishes are all fair game for parrots.
You may need to replace these things, which will further increase your maintenance expenditures. Finally, macaw pets have a high sense of curiosity, and occasionally, when exploring items, they may suffer a major injury or infection.
You might expect to pay a hefty sum in these unexpected circumstances.
Factors Affecting the Price of a Macaw
Several factors can affect the price of a macaw:
- Species
Species can have a significant impact on the price of a macaw. Some species of macaw are more rare and sought-after than others, which can drive up their price.
For example, the Hyacinth Macaw is considered one of the most beautiful and largest macaws. Due to their striking appearance and rarity, they can command very high prices, often tens of thousands of dollars.
On the other hand, a Blue and Gold Macaw is more common and less expensive. These birds are also large, but not as rare as the Hyacinth Macaw, therefore, they typically cost less.
A macaw’s price can also be affected by the difficulty of breeding it in captivity. Some species are known to be difficult to breed, which can drive up their price.
It is also worth noting that some species of macaws are protected by international laws, like the Spix’s Macaw, which is rare in the wild. This can drive up the price of the remaining individuals, making them one of the most expensive macaws.
2. The reputation of the Breeders
The reputation of the breeder can be a factor that can affect the price of a macaw. Breeders with a good reputation generally have a higher price for their birds.
This is because they have a good reputation, they have a good breeding set up, and they take care of the birds. A reputable breeder will typically have experience and knowledge of the species they are breeding.
In addition, they will also have a good breeding setup. This setup will have proper housing, nutrition, and veterinary care. This can ensure that the birds they sell are healthy and of good quality.
They will also typically have a good track record of selling birds that are well-adjusted and have good personalities. This can make their birds more desirable and therefore more expensive.
On the other hand, breeders with a poor reputation may have lower prices for their birds. This is because they may not have the same level of experience or knowledge. In addition, they may not have a good breeding setup and may not take as good care of their birds.
These birds may also have a higher risk of having health or behavioral issues, which can make them less desirable and lower their price point.
It’s worth noting that some breeders may also specialize in certain color mutations, and they may have a higher price for their birds because of this.
3. Age
Age is another factor that can affect the price of a macaw. Generally, young macaws are less expensive than adult macaws.
One reason for this is that young macaws are not yet fully grown, and their coloration and other physical characteristics may not be fully developed. They may also not yet be fully trained or tamed, which can make them less desirable as pets.
Another reason is that young macaws are less expensive to breed and raise, so breeders can offer them at a lower price point. On the other hand, adult macaws are fully grown and their physical characteristics and coloration are fully developed.
They may also be more experienced and trained, which can make them more desirable as pets. Adult macaws also have a more stable personality, which can be an important factor for those who want a companion bird.
It’s worth noting that while young macaws are less expensive than adult macaws, they also require more time and patience to train and bond with their owners.
Adult macaws may require less training, but they may also have some behavioral issues that need to be addressed.
4. Health
Health is a major factor that can affect the price of a macaw. A macaw that is in good health will typically command a higher price than one that is not.
A macaw that is in good health will have bright eyes, good feather condition, and overall good physical condition. These birds will also be more active and have a better appetite. A healthy macaw will also have a better chance of living a long life, which is an important consideration when buying a pet.
On the other hand, a macaw that is not in good health may have visible signs of illness or disease such as dull eyes, ruffled feathers, or a lack of energy. These birds may also have a poor appetite and difficulty breathing.
These macaws may require extensive medical treatment, which can be costly, and may not have a good quality of life. This can make them less desirable as pets and lower their price point.
Additionally, some health problems may be hard to detect by a vet. Therefore, it’s important to buy from a reputable breeder or pet store that can provide health records for the bird
5. Training
Training can be a factor that can affect the price of a macaw. A macaw that has been trained to do tricks or to talk will typically command a higher price than one that has not been trained.
Macaws are intelligent birds and are capable of learning a wide range of tricks and commands. When a macaw is trained, it can be more engaging and interactive with its owner, making it more desirable as a pet.
They can also learn to speak, which can be entertaining and interesting for their owners. This can make them more desirable and therefore more expensive.
On the other hand, macaws that have not been trained may be less interactive and engaging with their owners. They may also be more difficult to train, which can make them less desirable and lower their price point.
It’s worth noting that the training level of a macaw can also affect its behavior. A well-trained macaw may have better behavior than one that is not. This can also be an important factor to consider when buying a macaw.
6. Different Color Mutation
Color mutation can be a factor that can affect the price of a macaw. Some macaws come in different color mutations which can make them more desirable and therefore more expensive.
For example, some macaws such as the Military Macaw can come in different color variations, like “blue” or “green” military macaws. The price of macaws can fluctuate due to these variations. These variations are caused by genetic mutations.
Adding these features can make macaws more attractive and unique, making them more desirable pets and raising their price. On the other hand, macaws that do not have color mutations are typically less expensive than those that are.
These macaws come in the standard coloration of their species and may be less unique or distinct, which can make them less desirable and lower their price point.
It’s worth noting that some color mutations are rarer than others, this can also affect the price of the macaws, with the rarest mutations being the most expensive.
Tips for Saving Money on Macaw Pet Buying and Caring
- Contact Multiple Breeders
It’s common knowledge that macaws from breeders cost a lot. So, how can you lower this cost? The problem has only one answer.
Find out how much a macaw costs from all the local breeders. You may find a reputable breeder in your area that charges less than other breeders. You can lower the price even further through negotiation with the breeder.
However, remember that low prices can also mean that the macaw you are getting is not healthy or properly tamed and cared for. Don’t get too excited about a cheap macaw.
Before purchasing a macaw, it’s important to see if the bird is healthy, active, and bright. Birds that are dull, depressed, and inactive are ill and should not be purchased.
- Used Cages
Anyone who sees a macaw for the first time is stunned by its beauty. Hence, they want to adopt or buy a macaw. But they are unaware of their responsibilities regarding the macaws.
Eventually, they get tired of the situation and donate these macaws to adoption centers while selling the cages and cage accessories at a low price.
Because cages are one of your second largest expenses, you can buy used cages online or at local pet stores.
However, make sure that the used cage is properly disinfected, since it may be the home of an ill macaw. It may prove fatal for your macaw bird if it is not disinfected properly.
- Diet
Macaws are well known for wasting a great deal of food. The amount of food that your parrot consumes and wastes can be estimated if you monitor them for a few days.
This will help you figure out how much food they need. It will save you a great deal of money.
- Homemade treats
Make your own birdseed or feed your parrot unseasoned vegetables rather than pre-packaged treats from your local pet store.
- Regular Vet Visit
You should have your macaw parrot examined regularly by a veterinarian to prevent emergencies. Additionally, prevent parrot predators from entering your home.
Clip its wings to keep it from flying into fans and getting hurt. As a result, avoiding emergencies can save you a considerable amount of money.
- Homemade Toys
Aside from routine medical care, toys are one of your bird’s biggest expenses. The good news is that your macaw will enjoy the toys regardless of where they come from.
Homemade toys can be made with wire hangers, rope, cardboard rolls of paper towels, and similar materials. Ensure that these homemade toys will not cause injury to your macaw.
Conclusion
Taking care of macaws requires a lot of commitment because they’re intelligent, emotional, and active. Choosing to own a macaw can be a challenging decision. The cost of purchasing macaws is not only high but also the cost of maintaining them is high.
The cost of owning one is likely to be thousands of dollars upfront, as well as $150 to $200 per month. During the course of your journey, your feathered companion should remain with you regardless of any life changes that may occur.
To maintain a Macaw during its lifetime of 35-60 years, you must ensure that you have the necessary financial resources.
You have to give these animals your time and attention because they’re very sensitive. Throughout your lifetime, you will share most stages with a Macaw that lives a few decades.
