Enter “Craigslist birds for sale” and you are greeted with cages full of color. Parrots, cockatiels, finches, canaries. Some babies. Some seniors. Some are looking for a new home. Some with cages, toys, or food. Too good a deal—too many to choose from, prices too low at times. But wait. Behind every ad is a living creature. A voice. A heartbeat. Not a bargain.
Purchasing birds on Craigslist is not responsibility-free and not risk-free. This guide takes you through what to anticipate, how to best interpret an ad, warning signs to look out for, and how to make choices that protect you and the bird.
Why Individuals List Birds on Craigslist
Every ad has a story behind it. Sometimes unsunny. Sometimes sad.
- Rehoming due to change in lifestyle: Move, allergies, career switch, or family dynamic.
- Overbreeding: Backyard breeders as a hobby or mis-timed clutches.
- Behavior problems: Feather plucking, chewing, or squeaking, leaving owners desperate for a new home.
- Costly: Birds are costly—cages, toys, food, and vet visits.
- Uninformed: Some owners have no clue how much time they need.
Being prepared as to why a bird is for sale will help. Is it a beloved bird that needs a new home, or a last resort with secrets?
Types of Birds Often Posted on Craigslist
Scroll the listings and you’ll see patterns. Certain species show up again and again.
- Parakeets (Budgies): Small, colorful, affordable, often sold in groups.
- Cockatiels: Popular family birds, known for whistling and gentle nature.
- Lovebirds: Bright, energetic, often bonded pairs.
- Canaries and Finches: Kept for their song or beauty.
- Parrots (African Greys, Amazons, Macaws, Cockatoos): Larger, long-lived, often rehomed due to noise or behavior.
- Doves and Pigeons: Less popular, but occasionally available.
Craigslist offers a glimpse of what birds are overestimated or cannot handle.
The Secret Dangers of Craigslist Bird Sales
This is when the reality check occurs. Not all the postings deliver as promised.
- Health issues: Birds transmit illnesses such as psittacosis or mites. Few posts even add vet checks.
- Behavioral problems: A “quiet parrot” will probably shriek around the clock. A “tamed bird” may bite aggressively.
- No bird background: Individual sellers won’t offer you hatch dates, feeding background, or medical background like a credible breeder will.
- Stress and trauma: Birds are passed around too many individuals. With each owner shift, leaves its trace.
- Scams: Bait images, ghost sellers, or prices much too low to be an anchorman’s method of catching fish.
The bird you see listed may have unseen baggage. You need to get more.
How to Read Craigslist Ads with a Grain of Salt
Not all is lost. Some ads are ethical, honest, and legitimate. Here’s how to sort through them.
- Specific description: Ethical ads include species, age, diet, personality, and health descriptions.
- Intelligent photos: Recent, truthful photos of bird, cage, and equipment.
- Honest people: Ad sellers who will answer questions truthfully.
- Reasonable price: Too cheap? Fishy. Too expensive? Maybe profiteering.
- Safe meetup: Don’t get involved with someone who won’t meet in person.
The fuzzier the ad, the higher the risk.
Red Flags to Steer Clear Of
There are some things that anyone can fall into.
- “No other explanation” for “Too busy for it.”
- Solo fuzzy pic, or normal pictures.
- The seller won’t provide explanations.
- Birds look puffed up, tired, or plucked in pictures.
- Pushy hard sell salespeople who have to take cash money now.
- Statements like “guaranteed parrot talker” or “perfect breeder pair” without proof.
If in doubt, walk away. Spur-of-the-moment purchases are heartache—or at worse, an ill bird.
Things to Ask Before You Purchase
Look after yourself and the bird. Just ask the seller directly:
- How old is the bird?
- Where did it originate?
- What has it been fed?
- Has it just been to a vet? Past history with vets?
- What is its temperament—is it bite, scream, pluck?
- Why are you rehoming or selling?
- Is it hand-tame or flighted?
- Will you be including a cage, toys, or accessories?
An ethical seller will not leave them in the lurch.
The Cost of Craigslist Birds
Discount prices on the outside. $20 for a budgie. $50 for a cockatiel. A couple of hundred for a parrot. But truly costs? A whole lot.
- Cage: A good parrot cage is $200–$1000.
- Food: Good pellets, seeds, and fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Toys: Chewing up toys non-stop—birds do this at light speed.
- Vet appointments: Vet birds are expensive; initial visit $100–$250, emergency more.
- Time and training: Hours daily of attention, socialization, and waiting.
Inexpensive to buy isn’t inexpensive to maintain. Birds are long-term investments.
Safe Practices When Buying Birds on Craigslist
If you do go ahead, exercise caution.
- Meet in person: Always. Inspect the bird before paying cash.
- Bring a friend or family member with you: For safety and objective view.
- Inspect the environment: Is it sanitary? Are there resident pets all right?
- Quarantine new birds: Don’t subject them to in-house pets for at least 30 days.
- Get a vet check-up: Immediately, even if your bird looks healthy.
- Your intuition is worth it: If you don’t feel comfortable, leave.
You’re not merely purchasing, but responsibly adopting a life.
Also Read: Yellow Bird Angry Birds: The Speedster That Revolutionized the Game
Craigslist Alternatives to Try
If you find Craigslist too much, there are alternatives.
- Bird rescue centers and sanctuaries: Parrots and numerous other birds need forever homes.
- Responsible breeders: Provide health certificates, correct weaning, and guidance.
- Avian clubs and forums: Reaching out to bird care experts usually leads to good adoptions.
- Pet stores (with caution): Some very reputable pet stores stock healthy, well-socialized birds, but this is not a reliable option.
Craigslist is an option. But it is not the only way to do it.
Why Buying Birds Deserves Extra Care
Birds are not cats or dogs. They need other things. They can live for 10, 20, even 50 years. They need mental stimulation, flocking, safe food, and veterinary care. A neglected parrot will scream for hours, pull out its own feathers, or bite until it’s bleeding.
So when you read “Craigslist birds for sale,” don’t. Recall, it’s not an advertisement. It’s life. A voice. A bird with wings and a history. And if you do bring it in, you will have to account for every wing, every trill, every ensuing year.
FAQs About Craigslist Birds for Sale
Q1. Are Craigslist birds healthy?
Not always. Too many don’t receive vet care. Always make a health check visit prior to taking a bird home.
Q2. Why do parrots most often show up on Craigslist?
Because they are loud, long-lived, and higher maintenance than many people know.
Q3. Is purchasing birds on Craigslist safe?
It can be, if you conduct the right questions, meet in person, and thoroughly screen the seller.
Q4. What do I take with me when I meet a seller?
Cash (if negotiable), proper travel carrier, and questionnaire.
Q5. Is rescue preferable to Craigslist purchase?
Generally, yes. Rescues conduct medical exams and prioritize bird welfare over profit.
Closing Thoughts
“Craigslist birds for sale” is a suitable search. But each advertisement is a story of life, loss, and second chances. There are birds which have escaped from households that have collapsed in ruins. Some out of abuse. Some out of individuals who do not know commitment.
If buying, buy hard-hearted and open-eyed. Ask questions. Check for health. Budget for costs. Most of all—keep in mind that this is no bargain. It’s a commitment. A commitment to care for, to nurse, to listen. A bird will find its way into your life on Craigslist, but once settled into your home, it will be offered more than a paragraph. It will need to be offered an eternity.
