A cockatiel is one of the more affordable pet parrots, but the bird itself is only part of the cost. Here is what to budget upfront and every month.
The price of the bird
A cockatiel usually costs between $50 and $250. Normal grey cockatiels from a breeder or pet shop sit at the lower end, while hand-raised, tame birds and rarer colour mutations such as pied, lutino, pearl or albino cost more. Adopting from a rescue is often cheaper and gives a bird a second home.
Upfront setup costs
The cage is usually the biggest one-off cost — a suitably roomy cockatiel cage runs roughly $70 to $200. Add perches, food and water dishes, a starter supply of pellets and seed, and a few toys, and initial setup often totals $150 to $350 on top of the bird. See our full cockatiel guide for what a good setup looks like.
Ongoing monthly costs
Month to month, cockatiels are inexpensive to feed — food and fresh vegetables typically cost $15 to $30, plus replacement toys and bedding. The bigger variable is vet care: a routine avian check-up and the occasional illness mean it is wise to keep an emergency fund. Try our bird cost calculator to estimate your own numbers.