Buying your first parrot is an exciting and significant decision. Parrots are not like other pets — they are intelligent, long-lived, and emotionally complex creatures that require years of learning on the part of their owner. This guide gives you an honest picture of what first-time parrot ownership involves.
For most first-time owners, we recommend the following species in rough order of suitability:
We generally advise against macaws, cockatoos, or Amazons as a first parrot — not because they cannot be wonderful, but because their particular needs are best met by owners who have prior parrot experience.
The first two weeks after a parrot arrives are critical. Even a well-socialised, hand-raised bird needs time to adjust to a new home, new sounds, and new people. Give the bird space — allow it to observe its new environment from its cage before pushing for handling. Speak quietly, move slowly, and let the bird set the pace of interaction. Resist the temptation to show off the new bird to visitors immediately; this is stressful for a settling bird.
Costs range widely by species: Green-Cheeked Conures start from around £300–£500; African Greys from £1,500–£2,500; Hyacinth Macaws upward of £15,000. All prices should include full CITES documentation. Contact us for current pricing on available birds.
You do not need a personal licence to keep most parrots in the UK as pets. However, CITES-listed species require proper purchase documentation (a CITES certificate issued by the seller). Wild-caught birds cannot be legally traded. All birds from Paraíso de Aves come with full documentation.
Start with a high-quality species-appropriate pellet as the dietary foundation (50–60%), supplemented with fresh vegetables, a small amount of fruit, and minimal seeds. Avoid avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, and caffeine — all toxic to parrots.
Browse our current availability and get in touch for pricing, delivery timelines, and documentation details.