Species Conures

Sun Conure Price— Purchase Price and Care Cost

By EDDIE WAITHAKA on Apr 24, 2024 Reviewed by AISHA COLE

Sun Conure Price: Find out the initial purchase and care costs

Sun Conure Price: Find out the initial purchase and care costs

Bringing a Sun Conure into your home is an exciting endeavor, but it’s important to consider not only the initial purchase price but also the ongoing maintenance costs associated with caring for these vibrant and social birds.

In this guide, we explore the factors influencing the purchase price of Sun Conures and provide insights into the various costs involved in their day-to-day care.

From cage setup to veterinary expenses and training resources, understanding the full scope of financial commitments ensures a happy and healthy life for your feathered companion.

Let’s delve into the world of Sun Conure pricing and the essential elements of their ongoing care.

How Much is A Sun Conure (Purchase Price)

The average price of a sun conure is between $ 400 and $ 800. You may get them for a little less for younger hand-fed babies, with some breeders willing to go as low as $ 250, but depending on the colors, the price for healthy, trained adults can top $ 1000 dollars.

In contrast, green cheeks, the other popular conure pet species option in the market cost a lot less, averaging $ 200 to $ 400 dollar, perhaps because most owners are new to bird ownership and only consider the brilliant colors of sun conures while making their decision, and with breeders knowing that, they hike the price!

Do Sun Conure Price Vary in Different Countries

Sun conure price vary in different countries, but in some more than others. For instance, the prices in USA will not be too different with those in Canada, but can vary widely from those in India.

As you would expect, the prices in India and Pakistan will be fairly the same, same to the cost of Sun’s in the UK and the larger European market.

In the USA, sun conures cost anywhere from & 400 to & 800 dollar averaging at $ 590 and in Canada they cost 600 CAD to 1000 CAD, with older birds generally fetching a higher price than younger birds.

In India the same birds will set you back 60,000 Rs to 120000 Rs ($720 to $ 1440).

Below is a table of the amount you can expect to pay for a Sun Conure in different countries.

Please note these prices are only average estimates and the amount may vary depending on the bird and location.

CountryPrice RangeAverage Price
USA$300 to $800$590
Canada600 CAD to 1000 CAD1000 CAD (approx. $640)
AustraliaAUD: $500 to $1,500AUD $800 (approx. $660)
UK£300 to £900£500 (approx. $650)
Europe€400 to €1,200€800 (approx. $900)
India₹60,000 to ₹120,000₹90,000 (approx. $1,200 to $1,600)
Pakistanfrom ₨50,000₨ 50,000 (approx. $300)
Philippines₱15,000 to ₱45,000₱30,000 (approx. $590)
South AfricaR6,000 to R18,000R12,000 (approx. $800)
BrazilR$2,000 to R$6,000R$4,000 (approx. $720)

Do Sun Conure Prices Vary in Different Pet Stores

Sun conure prices in different pet stores will vary. They vary even in the same store brand in different cities. For instance, a Petstore in Ohio may have a Sun costing $ 860, while one in New Jersey will have the same bird at $ 900.

But this is understandble because of individual differences between the birds and market dynamics.

However, I’ve also noted that the average price for a sun conure in popular pet stores, like Petsmart and Petco is between $ 700 to $ 900, which is higher than the general average from online market places, breeders, and rescues (if they charge a price).

I asked in local forums too and there seems to be a consensus that live animals, including parrots like sun conures, are overpriced. They also agree that most of these animals are kept in less than ideal conditions and are likely to be unhealthy needing quarantine and extensive care to rebuild their health.

So, nothing seems to justify the hefty price, and if you were to get a sun conure, I would recommend purchasing it from a breeder or a rescue but it does not hurt to spend a few more dollar in a pet store to rescue a bird if its not getting proper care.

Is it Cheaper to Buy A Sun Conure from A Pet Store or Breeder

As mentioned above, it is generally a tad cheaper to buy a Sun conure from a breeder in the United States than in your next door petstore, like Petsmart and Petco.

Sun conures at Petco cost between $ 700 and $ 900, but you can buy them for $ 500 to $ 700 from a breeder for a sun conure baby.

However the prices from breeders will vary widely depending on location, age, and individual trait from different birds, and the best way to get the actual price is to contact a breeder in your local area.

Perhaps the difference in price between breeders and Petstore is the age of the bird.

The sun conures you are likely to find in your local petstore will most likely be older, 6 months+, but from breeder, you will most likely a purchase a hand-fed baby that is only a few months old.

Some breeders even allow a deposit for an eggs that’s yet to hatch and the balance paid after the bird is hatched.

Is it Cheaper to Adopt a Sun Coure Than to Purchase One

Parrots are the most rehomed pets in the world, so finding a rescue to adopt a sun conure should not be too challenging. Ideally, it should be cheaper than buying one, plus you will be giving the bird a loving home.

To adopt a sun conure, you will most likely spend only half of the price of buying the bird from a breeder or Petstore. Ideally it should cost about about $200 to $300 on average.

So, I suggest you first check your local rescues for a bird up adoption before going to a breeder or pet store.

The best rescues, for instance Companion Parrots Rehomed, will even take prospective parents to a few classes and even allow you to interact with the bird you want before taking it home, to ensure you have fist hand experience of what a Sun conure is like as a pet.

What Determines The Price of A Sun Conure

The price of sun conures as indicated vary depending on many factors. Mostly, it is geographical locations and breeder reputation. Sun conures are mostly similary colored so the color mutations do not dictate the price as much as they do in green cheek conure, which has more varitations.

Discussed below are all the factors that might make you conures more or less costly.

1— Geographic Location

Prices can vary based on where you’re buying the bird. In areas with higher living costs, prices might be higher. For example, Sun Conures may be pricier in urban areas compared to rural locations.

2— Breeder Reputation

Reputable breeders, known for producing healthy and well-socialized birds, often charge more. For instance, a breeder with a positive reputation for ethical practices might sell Sun Conures at a premium compared to less reputable sources.

A good reputation will also increase demand from birds owners automatically driving up the price.

3— Age

Younger birds are usually more expensive, especially if they are hand-fed and hand-raised. For instance, a baby Sun Conure might cost more than an older one because of the time and effort invested in hand-rearing.

4—Color Mutations

Different color mutations can impact the price. Unusual or rare colors often come with a higher price tag. For example, a Sun Conure with a rare color mutation might be more expensive than one with the standard coloring.

5 —Training and Socialization

Birds that have undergone training and socialization efforts may be priced higher. For instance, a Sun Conure that is already accustomed to human interaction and basic training commands may be more valuable.

6— Health and Genetics

Birds with good health and desirable genetic traits generally cost more. For example, a Sun Conure with a clean bill of health and strong genetic lineage might be priced higher.

7—Included Accessories

Some sellers include accessories like cages, toys, or initial supplies in the purchase. These extras can affect the overall price. For instance, a package deal that includes a well-equipped cage and toys may have a higher upfront cost.

8— Availability in the Market

Prices can be influenced by the overall demand and availability of Sun Conures in the market. In areas where these birds are scarce, prices might be higher due to increased demand.

You will not that with any pet, including sun conures, the intitial cost is often not the biggest cost driver. Care and maintanance expenses are more costly, especially for recurrent expenditure, and parrots are not limited in their needs.

Everything from your Suns food, cages, toys, and medical care will set you back a handsome amount, and it help to understand this before you purchase the bad.

You will also note parrots are very longlived pets, with sun conure often living for 25 to 30 years on average, and their care need easily run into thousands of dollars over this period.

Below is cost and price breakdown of all the thing you will need if you decide to purchase (keep) a sun conure.

Please note that these are general estimates, and actual costs may vary based on factors like location and individual preferences.

CategoryItemCost (USD)Notes
One-Time Costs
CagePlay Cage$100 - $500Size and material can influence the cost.
CageSleeping Cage$50 - $300Consider a quieter, smaller cage for sleeping.
CageLiner$5 - $20 per packDisposable or reusable liners for easy cleaning.
Initial Veterinary Check-upHealth Examination$50 - $150Includes a physical examination, potential vaccinations, and baseline health assessment.
Toys and AccessoriesInitial Set$50 - $200Perches, toys, and other enrichment items.
BeddingSubstrate (e.g., paper, pellets)$10 - $30 per monthCost varies based on the chosen substrate.
Recurrent Costs (Monthly)
FoodHigh-quality Pellets$15 - $30Monthly cost for a good quality pellet diet.
FoodFresh Fruits and Vegetables$10 - $20Monthly cost for providing a variety of fresh produce.
Bedding ReplacementSubstrate$5 - $15Monthly cost for replacing bedding materials.
Veterinary CareRoutine Check-ups and Supplies$20 - $50Budget for potential health checks and supplies.
InsuranceAvian Veterinary Insurance$10 - $30Optional but can provide financial protection for unexpected veterinary expenses.
SoundproofingNoise-absorbing Materials$20 - $50Acoustic panels or materials to reduce noise impact.
Optional/Variable Costs
Training ClassesProfessional Training$50 - $200 per sessionIf you choose to enroll in professional bird training classes.
Travel CagePortable Travel Cage$30 - $100If you plan to travel with your sun conure.
Grooming ToolsNail Clippers, Beak Files, etc.$10 - $20Tools for grooming if not included in initial setup.
Total Estimated Monthly Cost$200 - $600Depending on individual choices and optional expenses.

Keep in mind you need to budget for unexpected expenses and prioritize the well-being and enrichment of your sun conure. The optional/variable costs may also not be incurred by every bird owner, depending on individual circumstances and preferences, but it always good to budget for them.

That said, Sun conures are intelligent birds that need a lot of socialization and enrichment. Training is also crucial and goes a long way in bonding and creating trust with your conure.

Below is an extended breakdown of training cost I consider important for any parrot owner, since most of the bird training information is not common knowledge.

Resource TypeExamplesCost Range (USD)Notes
Online Courses or Video Programs
Training Video Courses$20 - $100 or morePrices vary based on content and platform.
Webinars and Workshops
Single Webinars/Workshops$10 - $50 or morePrices depend on the trainer and content.
Membership Programs
Monthly Memberships$10 - $30 or moreOngoing access to a library of resources.
Annual Memberships$50 - $150 or moreAnnual fee for extended access and benefits.
Books and eBooks
Training Books or eBooks$10 - $30 or morePrices for both physical and electronic formats.
Consultations and Private Sessions
Private Training Sessions$50 - $200 or morePersonalized sessions with a trainer.

Lastly, from my experience, whenever people buy new parrots, there are several items that are really crucial but most people forget to purchase them.

See the table below:

ItemCost Range (USD)Notes
I.D Tags and Collars$5 - $20Personalized identification for your Sun Conure.
Microchip$20 - $50Optional but can be beneficial for identification.
Ultrasound$50 - $200Veterinary diagnostic tool, not a common expense