The Meyer’s parrot, also known as the Meyer’s parakeet or the brown parrot, is a popular pet bird originally found in eastern Africa. In recent years, the Meyer’s parrot has become increasingly popular among bird enthusiasts in India due to its charming personality, reasonable pricing, and hardiness. This article will explore the typical pricing of the Meyer’s parrot in the Indian market and the factors that influence the cost of purchasing one of these birds.
Overview of the Meyer’s Parrot
The Meyer’s parrot is a small-to-medium sized parrot that reaches lengths of 33 cm (13 in) from the top of its head to the tip of its tail. It has a stocky build with a short blunt tail and a strong curved beak. The predominant color of its plumage is brown, with darker brownish-black flight feathers. The undertail coverts are a bright blue-violet color. The iris of the eye is dark brown while the beak is horn-colored.
Meyer’s parrots are energetic, playful, and highly intelligent. They are capable of mimicking sounds and even human speech. These parrots enjoy playing with toys and need plenty of stimulation to prevent boredom-related behavior problems. Meyer’s parrots are not particularly loud, though they can make squawking noises occasionally.
In the wild, Meyer’s parrots inhabit woodland and forest habitats in East Africa. Their natural diet consists of seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms, and some insect matter. With proper training, they adapt readily to captive diets. Their average lifespan ranges from 20 to 30 years.
Availability of Meyer’s Parrots in India
The Meyer’s parrot has been bred in captivity in India since the late 1990s. Aviculturalists have successfully bred and raised Meyer’s parrots over multiple generations in India. There are now a number of reputable breeders across the country offering healthy, hand-raised baby Meyer’s parrots for sale as pets.
In addition to captive-bred birds, some pet stores also import Meyer’s parrots from other countries. Imported parrots are subject to a quarantine period before they can be sold. There are risks associated with importing parrots, including potential exposure to diseases and stress from international transport. For these reasons, Indian breeders are typically preferred over imported birds.
The main hubs for finding Meyer’s parrots in India are the major metro cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata. Local bird breeders advertise online or in pet magazines. Bird enthusiasts also connect with each other through social media groups and forums to find Meyer’s parrots for sale.
Cost Considerations for Meyer’s Parrots
Many factors come into play when determining the price of a Meyer’s parrot in the Indian market. These include:
Age
Younger Meyer’s parrots generally command higher pricing than older birds. This is because baby parrots require intensive hand-feeding and care. Once weaned onto solid foods, their price gradually decreases with age. On average:
– An unweaned baby Meyer’s parrot is priced from Rs. 8,000 to Rs 10,000.
– A weaned fledgling (3-6 months old) ranges from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 8,000.
– Juvenile parrots (6-12 months) are approximately Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000.
– Adult Meyer’s parrots over 1 year old cost Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000.
Captive-bred vs Imported
Captive-bred Meyer’s parrots from reputable Indian breeders are more expensive than imported birds. Buying locally avoids risks linked to unknown histories and international transport stress. Expect to pay:
– For a captive-bred fledgling Meyer’s parrot: Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000
– For an imported fledgling Meyer’s parrot: Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000
Color Mutations
Normally colored or “wild-type” Meyer’s parrots are the most affordable. Rare color mutations like lutino (yellow), albino, and blue can cost 2 to 3 times more than the normal variety.
Parent-Reared vs Hand-Fed
Parent-reared Meyer’s parrots that were raised naturally by their parents typically cost less than hand-fed baby birds. Hand-feeding requires extensive time and care, hence the higher price. But hand-fed parrots make better pets.
Gender
There is little price difference between male and female Meyer’s parrots as pets. Females might cost slightly more if the buyer wants to breed them.
Training & Tameness
A tame, hand-raised Meyer’s parrot that is used to human interaction and trained in basic behaviors has a higher purchase price than untamed aviary birds. Tameness and training are especially valued in Meyer’s parrots as family pets.
Health & Veterinary Certificates
It is worth investing in a Meyer’s parrot from a breeder who provides veterinary health certificates over one without documentation. Certifying the bird’s age and health justifies a higher price. Quarantine periods also apply for imported parrots.
Breeder Reputation & Experience
Established breeders with good reputations and years of experience breeding Meyer’s parrots are more expensive than new or amateur breeders. Their expertise results in higher quality, hand-raised baby birds.
Location
Meyer’s parrots prices fluctuate based on where they are purchased in India. Birds purchased directly from breeders typically cost less than those bought from pet stores, which apply markups. And prices vary by region.
Average Cost of Keeping a Meyer’s Parrot
The purchase price of a Meyer’s parrot is only the initial expense. Proper pet bird care also requires ongoing costs for:
– A large cage, toys, and accessories: Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 15,000
– High quality bird feed: Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 per month
– Routine veterinary check ups: Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 per year
– Damage-proofing the home: Variable based on the house
The average estimated cost of keeping a healthy, enriched Meyer’s parrot generally ranges between Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 25,000 per year. Potential medical issues or bird training costs may increase this amount.
Factors Impacting Meyer’s Parrot Pricing
Meyer’s parrot prices shift over time and between regions based on:
– **Breeding Levels:** More breeding leads to lower prices and greater availability. Less breeding causes prices to rise.
– **Import Laws:** Stricter limitations on imports drive prices up. Relaxed laws reduce costs.
– **Housing & Pet Care Costs:** When cages, food, and vet care become more expensive long-term, purchase prices also increase to compensate breeders.
– **Inflation:** As with any market, inflation causes prices to gradually rise over decades. Meyer’s parrots cost substantially more now than 30 years ago.
– **Demand vs Supply:** Popular breeds see greater demand, which allows breeders to charge higher pricing. Rare color mutations also cater to specialized collectors.
– **Breeding Difficulties:** If a parrot species is challenging to breed in captivity, lower supply can mean higher pricing. Easy breeding leads to more affordable pricing.
Price Comparison of Meyer’s Parrots vs Other Popular Parrots in India
To put the cost of a Meyer’s parrot in context, below are the average prices in India for other popular pet parrot species:
Parrot Species | Average Price |
---|---|
Meyer’s Parrot | Rs. 4,000 – Rs. 10,000 |
Ringneck Parakeet | Rs. 2,000 – Rs. 5,000 |
Budgerigar | Rs. 400 – Rs. 1,500 |
Cockatiel | Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 7,000 |
Lovebird | Rs. 1,500 – Rs. 4,000 |
Conure | Rs. 6,000 – Rs. 12,000 |
Macaw | Rs. 30,000 – Rs. 60,000 |
African Grey | Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 30,000 |
Amazon parrot | Rs. 8,000 – Rs. 25,000 |
Caique | Rs. 15,000 – Rs. 25,000 |
The Meyer’s parrot offers a reasonable mid-range pricing option for owners seeking an intelligent, entertaining pet bird in India. It avoids the high investment required for larger parrot species while offering more interactive qualities than inexpensive options like budgies or parakeets. For bird lovers with some experience, the charming Meyer’s parrot presents the ideal balance of affordability, manageable size, and engaging personality.
Where to Find Meyer’s Parrots for Sale in India
Prospective Meyer’s parrot owners have several options for finding healthy birds at fair pricing:
Online Bird Markets
Websites like QuackQuack, Quickr, and IndiaMART allow breeders and sellers nationwide to advertise Meyer’s parrots for sale. This provides a wide selection with competitive pricing. Be sure to deal only with reputable sellers providing details on the bird’s health and background.
Local Bird Breeders
Connecting directly with breeders in your state or city builds personal relationships and allows you to see where your bird was raised. Local bird clubs and societies have listings for area breeders.
Specialty Bird Stores
Some pet stores partner directly with breeders or aviaries to offer a selection of high-quality, hand-raised baby Meyer’s parrots for sale. These stores often provide health guarantees.
Pet Fairs & Expos
Check for local pet fairs or bird expos where breeders showcase and sell Meyer’s parrots in your area. These events allow comparison shopping across multiple vendors.
Online Forums & Social Media Groups
Connecting with the bird breeding community online can help you locate reputable Meyer’s parrot breeders. Check birdkeeping forums and Facebook groups both locally and pan-India.
Carefully research any prospective Meyer’s parrot breeder or seller, read customer reviews, and inquire about health guarantees for the best chance of finding a hand-raised, family-friendly companion at a fair price.
Conclusion
For Indian bird lovers, the Meyer’s parrot presents an affordable and rewarding pet option compared to larger, more costly parrot species. When purchased through reputable local breeders or specialty stores, owners can expect to invest Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 10,000 for a healthy hand-fed Meyer’s parrot. Proper care and enrichment will also require an ongoing budget of around Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 25,000 annually. Though not cheap pets, Meyer’s parrots offer an accessible entry point to parrot ownership for many Indians compared to scarce and expensive imported parrots. With their charming personality matching their reasonable pricing, the Meyer’s parrot remains likely to retain popularity among new and experienced bird owners across India for years to come.