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Petkeen advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder or purchasing from a store, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. Learn more.
Parrotlets are intelligent, friendly birds that can be taught a few tricks and will become a part of the family in no time. They generally live around 15 years and some can learn to mimic human voices, although this is by no means guaranteed. Parrotlets are widely available and can be bought from a lot of pet stores, which means they are easy to find if you’re interested in buying. But it also means there are a lot of them that have been surrendered and found their way into shelters and rescues, through no fault of their own.
They generally cost between $100 and $400, with some additional cost to buy a cage and other essential accessories, as well as the ongoing cost of food and other items.
Parrotlets as Pets: What to Know Before Welcoming One Into Your Home
Parrotlets can make great pets for the right owners. They are intelligent, bright, and enjoy spending time around people. They tend to do better when kept alone, however, and you should never leave them alone with cats or dogs.
With a lifespan of around 20 years, the parrotlet is not as long-lived as some of the bigger parrot breeds and they are the smallest of these birds, which makes them a more convenient pet than macaws and cockatoos for those with limited space for a cage. But their smaller size doesn’t mean they are maintenance-free pets. They do require socialization with humans and this small breed can get in plenty of trouble if left out of its cage.
The cage needs to have plenty of toys and other items that offer enrichment, but no number of toys can replace out-of-cage activity. You should aim to let a parrotlet out of its cage once a day, for at least an hour. Ensure the room has been bird-proofed, which means removing cats and dogs and also making sure there is no danger from ceiling fans and other potential hazards. They will also nibble on other items so make sure there are no toxic plants or other potentially dangerous items.
However, while parrotlets do need good care to ensure they are safe and healthy, they have a lot to offer in exchange. Some can learn to talk, although this isn’t guaranteed. They will whistle and chirp and generally be quite lively little birds. They are also sociable animals that will enjoy spending time with their humans, although they shouldn’t be kept with other birds and will do better when kept as the only parrotlet in a cage.
Where to Adopt a Parrotlet
The popularity of the species means that it is possible to adopt parrotlets that have been abandoned or given up by their former owners. They are sometimes abandoned because they live longer than new owners expect or because they require more attention than expected. Some may have been given up because they nip fingers, but this is usually a result of poor socialization. There are a lot of bird rescue and adoption centers across the country.
When adopting, make sure you meet the bird first, ideally a few times. This helps ensure that you get along and you choose a bird that is suitable for your circumstances. You may also find some birds that need adopting in classified ads, but this is rare and you will need to try and meet the bird before you agree to take it on.
1. Free Flight Birds
Although originally established as a boarding and breeding center in 1981, Free Flight Birds became a non-profit in 2009 and is based in California.
2. Best Friends
Based in Utah, Best Friends is an adoption and rehoming center that has dogs, cats, and a wide variety of birds often including parrotlets, for adoption.
3. Mickaboo
Mickaboo doesn’t have a physical adoption center: rather, its birds are kept in volunteer foster homes and they have a wide variety of birds available most times.
Where to Buy Parrotlets Online
Buying parrotlets means that you have a greater choice of color and age of the bird you buy, and if there are no birds for adoption, it can be a good choice. When buying online, it is possible to have the birds delivered to your door. If this is the case, enquire about shipping methods. Birds and livestock cannot and should not be delivered by standard courier and they need to be kept safe and secure throughout transit, which may be completed by air. Alternatively, you may be able to buy online and collect the birds directly from the seller at their location.
1. Fly Babies Aviary
Fly Babies Aviary started breeding finches before moving on to breeding larger birds including parrotlets. Their birds are hand-fed and tamed, which should make it easier on their arrival at your home. There’s usually a good selection of colors available to choose from.
2. Golden Feathered Aviary
Golden Feathered Aviary can deliver to 50 states across the U.S. and has a wide variety of birds from finches to parrotlets and some larger parrot breeds. Colors typically include green, blue, and some creamino birds.
3. Xtreem Parrotlets
Based in Florida, Xtreem Parrotlets specializes in the breeding and sale of parrotlets, although they do also have some other species available. They not only ship to the U.S. but also export to other countries. They have a varied selection of colors, including the rare turquoise pied parrotlet, which can only be found captive-bred.
How Much Does a Parrotlet Cost Online?
The cost of buying a parrotlet online varies according to several factors but primarily the color or exact species of bird, as well as the age. Shipping costs can also vary but you should expect to pay between $200 and $500 with some rarer examples costing more.
Pet Stores That Sell Parrotlets
Some pet store chains, as well as local general pet stores, do sell parrotlets as well as other species of birds. You can ask for some advice from the staff, but if you want personal advice on parrotlet ownership, you might be better off dealing with a specialist aviary or bird shop. PetSmart and Petco both sell some birds in some stores, but you will have to check local availability to determine whether your local store stocks parrotlets.
1. PetSmart
PetSmart sometimes sells parrotlets, although you are more likely to find canaries, finches, and conures. Visit your local store or ring and check availability, so as not to be disappointed.
2. Petco
Similarly, Petco stores do have birds and bird supplies but finches and parakeets are more commonly found. They can be a good source of cages and other necessary supplies, though, and your local store may occasionally sell parrotlets.
How Much Does a Parrotlet Cost In-Store?
Prices at these stores are similar to buying online or directly from a breeder, except that they usually only stock the more common colors and varieties so prices appear lower. Expect to pay approximately $200 for the bird.
Parrotlet Breeder Information
It can be a good idea to go directly to a parrotlet breeder when looking for this type of bird. You can choose the color and type of parrotlet, and you can be sure that you are getting a young bird that potentially has 20 years or more ahead of it. Ideally, the breeder will hand-feed their birds. This means that the parrotlets will be used to human contact, which means it should be easier for you to let them out of the cage: they should be well socialized by the time they arrive in their new home.
Tips for Adopting or Buying a Parrotlet
Buying a new bird, or any new pet, can be an exciting time, but you need to be prepared to ensure a smooth introduction. Below are some tips to help ensure you get the best bird for you.
Conclusion
Parrotlets can make great pets for the right owners. They are bright, lively, intelligent birds that are smaller and easier to care for large parrot species. However, they do require daily attention and care, and they are not the kind of pet you can buy and forget about.
If you are sure that the parrotlet is the right choice for you, consider adopting over buying, but if you do buy, do your research to ensure you choose a reputable breeder and to make sure you get a parrotlet that will settle in well in your home and family.
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Featured Image Credit: analogicus, Pixabay
