Larger Bird owners.. cost estimates?

[cichlaguapote]

Looking for monthly/weekly/yearly/however you keep track estimates on this stuff. I know there are a couple people here with african greys. Anyone with anything larger? Smaller bird owners are welcome to contribute as well.

1.) What kind of bird?
2.) What do you spend monthly/weekly/whatever in food/treats/expenses beyond startup costs for cage/bird?
3.) Bonus question: Where do you keep your bird in your house and how much time do you spend daily with it?

 

[CTU2fan]

I'm interested in any responses as well. I've never had a large bird but they've always interested me...I see them for sale on CL around here from time to time and have considered getting one. It's usually really big birds like macaws...

 

[AttackFish]

I just wanted to say, if you're looking for a large bird in a small package, look into Miniature Macaws.
Yellow Collareds(Wich is what i have)
Military
Severe and others.

 

[CrystalizedHairs]

Looking for monthly/weekly/yearly/however you keep track estimates on this stuff. I know there are a couple people here with african greys. Anyone with anything larger? Smaller bird owners are welcome to contribute as well.

1.) What kind of bird?
2.) What do you spend monthly/weekly/whatever in food/treats/expenses beyond startup costs for cage/bird?
3.) Bonus question: Where do you keep your bird in your house and how much time do you spend daily with it?

I don't have any BIG birds(my largest in a goffins cockatoo), but I'll answer anyways.
1. Goffins Cockatoo

2. In a given month, she costs my about $25 in food(Roudybush pellets, fresh and cooked veggies, and nuts), and toys(I build my own, but she is very destructive). I also clean my catch trays everyday, so no "bedding" costs.
3. Their cages are in my bedroom. They spend anywhere from 4-8 hours with me everyday(I made a rule, if I'm home and awake, they are out).

I'd stay away from the true big birds until you have more experience. Mini macaws, small cockatoos, smaller amazons, and large conures(the small ones are great too) are great species to cut your teeth on. They all have their pros and cons, so spend as much time as you can determining which species will fit your lifestyle the best. I would recommend staying away from Scalet macaws, large cockatoos, large amazons, and Congo African Greys. These are all great birds, but tend to be the most problematic for the novice.

 

[chesterfieldzoo]

Ok, so I have 8 parrots. 1 moluccan cockatoo, 2 yellow nape amazons, 3 bluefront amazons, 2 female eclectus. My food bill is about $300 a month. They eat very well. Then about $100 a month in toys (bought and home made). I got rid of the dining room furniture and put them all in there along with numerous other birds and critters. Makes clean up and feeding easier. I spend as much time as I can with them - so anywhere from 10 minutes a day to 4 hours. Half of them are out of their cage all the time, the others have playstands for when I am able to supervise.
I have a budget of $1500 a year for vet bills. Some years I use it all, others I don't come close.
Besides the cost of the cage (anywhere from free that they came with to $450) I also buy manzanita branches and toss the wood dowels. I have 2 27" flat screen tvs for them with dvd player and 100 videos. I will also pay someone with experience to come and play with them if I have time constraints for more than 4 days in a row.
It takes me an hour to prepare their daily meal. I cook fresh every day. They eat better than I do.
Don't get a bird if you can't commit forever. Don't get a mate (for you) who says 'me or the bird' - choose the bird.

 

[bangerang103]

thats dedication.