When you think about expensive pets, you probably picture exotic cats, horses, monkeys, or rare reptiles. But did you realize that birds can be some of the world’s priciest pets?
The birds on this list all cost a small fortune to buy, and that’s before you provide them with the luxury they’re accustomed to. If you want to purchase one of the birds, you may need to dip into your savings account.
The 10 Most Expensive Pet Birds
1. Racing Pigeons
One of the most expensive birds to own is a pigeon. Racing pigeons, unlike their less-prized counterparts, have a truly noble calling: they allow people to gamble.
In some parts of the world, pigeon races are big business, and a fast bird can make their owner quite a bit of money. That’s why many people are willing to pay top dollar for one of these birds. In 2019, an especially fast pigeon named Armando sold for $1.4 million!
We bet that it’s hard to get mad at a bird for pooping on your car when they are worth 10 times more than the vehicle.
2. Hyacinth Macaws
These South American birds are some of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, thanks to their gorgeous blue feathers and yellow markings around the eyes and beak. They’re also the largest flying parrots in the world. This results in a hefty asking price—up to $40,000 in some cases.
Of course, Hyacinth Macaws are becoming endangered, and owning one may not be legal where you live. Even if you have $40,000 to drop on a bird, you’re better off buying a good pair of binoculars and a ticket to Brazil.
3. Toucans
These large-billed birds are among the most vibrantly colored animals on the planet. While there are over 40 species to choose from, each one is expensive. It’s not uncommon for them to go for $7,000 or more.
4. Goliath Cockatoos
These big black parrots (also known as Palm Cockatoos) hail from New Guinea, and part of their price is likely due to the difficulty of transporting them from their homeland. They have an extremely large bill (second only to the Hyacinth Macaw among parrots), and they make an astounding number of vocalizations, including many human-like sounds.
A single Goliath Cockatoo can run you $16,000 or more. The good news is that they’ve been known to live up to 90 years in captivity, so you’ll get your money’s worth.
5. Ayam Cemani Chickens
Ayam Cemani Chickens are black birds. This might seem trivial and unimportant, but the color isn’t just skin-deep; they’re black to the very core, including their meat and bones. They’re also notoriously difficult to breed, so a single hen can cost as much as $2,500.
They lay large eggs, and you can get more bang for your buck that way. Unfortunately, they’re not big fans of sitting on eggs, so if you want to make more chickens, you’ll need to incubate them, which drives up your bottom line even more.
6. Flamingos
Nothing tells the world that you live in the lap of luxury quite like a flock of flamingos outside your door. Everyone who visits will know that you’re doing well for yourself since they can cost as much as $1,500 each.
Flamingos eat shrimp and a special kind of red algae, and your property might smell like a fishing boat. However, you may prefer that to the smell of their droppings, which are notorious for being the foulest-smelling of any bird species on the planet.
7. White Peacocks
Peacocks are known for their ornately decorated plumage, which comes in almost every color imaginable. On the other hand, the most expensive peacocks in the world lack any color whatsoever—they’re completely white.
This is due to a recessive mutation called leucism, and the mutant birds can go for about a grand each. Don’t try to catch one yourself; they’re not found in the wild, so you’ll have to get yours from a breeder.
8. Scarlet Tanagers
The Scarlet Tanager is a medium-sized bird with a big voice. Their beautiful singing voices are just one reason that collectors can fetch $900 or more for them.
They’re also quite striking, as they have bright crimson bodies with black feathers on their wings and tails. Scarlet Tanagers are clean and tidy by nature, but they primarily eat insects like termites, bees, and wasps, so you may not want to bring their lunch home with you.
9. Mountain Bluebirds
There are three types of bluebirds, but the mountain variety is the most prized and expensive at over $800 a pop because they’re the hardest to catch. They prefer elevations of 7,000 feet or more, and they’re generally found in colder climates.
These little birds have blue heads and shoulders that slowly fade to white as you move down their bodies. They’re known for happily accepting nest boxes, so you might be able to enjoy their company for free if you live in the right place.
10. Northern Orioles
This migratory species is a big fruit eater, and they prefer incredibly ripe, dark fruits like mulberries and cherries. They’re known for being picky eaters, so don’t get your feelings hurt if they turn up their beaks at the meals you offer them.
Then again, after paying $800 or more for one of these birds, you’d think they’d show a little more gratitude!
Conclusion
Each expensive bird on this list can make a great pet, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great bird. A parakeet or cockatiel can be just as rewarding to own at a fraction of the price.
Then again, you might be able to make enough money to buy all the birds you want if you manage to get your hands on an especially fast pigeon.
Featured Image Credit: Sanit Fuangnakhon, Shutterstock
