Top 10 Most Expensive Birds In The World
Saisuman Revankar
Updated · Mar 19, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Top 10 Most Expensive Birds In The World
- #1. Gouldian Finch
- #2. Scarlet Tanager
- #3. Northern Cardinal
- #4. White Peacock
- #5. Pink Flamingoes
- #6. Ayam Cemani Chicken
- #7. Toucan
- #8. Hycinth Macaw
- #9. Black Palm Cockatoo
- #10. Racing Pigeons
- #11. Oriole Bird
- #12. Queen’s Bulbul
- #13. Svarlet Macaw Parrot
- Most Popular Foods for Exotic Birds of All Time
- Conclusion
Introduction
Most Expensive Birds: When we think of expensive pets, we generally picture exotic monkeys, cats, dogs, or even rare reptiles. But have you ever realized that birds can be some of the most precious pets across the globe? The cost of these rare birds might seem extremely high. However, choosing a pet is a personal decision, and if you have the money to buy one of the priciest birds in the world, why not? High-priced birds come with a big price tag, and passionate bird lovers are willing to pay for them.
Many wildlife centers and zoos are lucky to have exotic birds, thanks to generous donors. The birds on the following list cost a lot to buy, and that’s before you give them a luxury that they are accustomed to. If you dream of purchasing one of the birds, we will need to dive into your savings account.
Top 10 Most Expensive Birds In The World
#1. Gouldian Finch
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- The Gouldian Finch, also called the Rainbow Finch, is a tiny, brightly colored bird. Its special shades, like blue or silver, help identify it. Breeders mostly raise these birds.
- Since they can be a bit wild, they need a roomy aviary and a good supply of birdseed. If you’re ready to spend the money, a Gouldian Finch costs at least $400, not including the extra expenses for its care.
#2. Scarlet Tanager
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- The Scarlet Tanager is a medium-sized bird from the cardinal family. It has a bright red body, black wings, and a blue tail.
- With a large head, a thick, rounded beak for eating, and a short, wide tail, it stands out. This bird prefers to stay hidden in tall trees of forests with leafy branches or in dense backyard shrubs.
- There are over 230 types of Tanagers. Four of them migrate to North America often, while the rest live mostly in the western hemisphere.
- The Scarlet Tanager travels the longest distance during winter compared to its relatives. Since this bird is uncommon, many enthusiasts are willing to pay $900 to own one.
#3. Northern Cardinal
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- Native Americans believe the Northern Cardinal once delivered messages to their ancestors. With its bright red feathers, this stunning bird seemed to be able to overcome any heavenly barrier.
- However, only males have this bold color, while females are light brown with hints of red on their wings. The Northern Cardinal has a tall crest, a long tail, a short, thick beak, and loves to sing.
- A well-raised Northern Cardinal usually costs about $800.
- Even though they seem exotic, these birds are quite common. You can find them in parks, at the edges of forests, and even in backyards. They build their nests in thick shrubs and vines.
#4. White Peacock
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- The rare white peacock, with its bright white feathers, is very popular at weddings in Australia. When it spreads its tail, the view is stunning. These birds are not meant to live indoors—they need plenty of space to move around. To keep them safe, strong fencing and proper roosting are necessary since predators are a big threat.
- Peacocks have always been connected to wealth, royalty, and luxury. The white peacock, with its pure-colored feathers, is a symbol of high status. Its rare color comes from carefully breeding silver pied peafowl. Because of their uniqueness, bird lovers are willing to pay more than $1,000 for just one.
- White peacocks, with their snow-like feathers, can cost up to seven times more than their blue-green relatives—or even 20 times more in some cases. They seem to enjoy looking at themselves on reflective surfaces like glass doors.
- These birds also like to climb onto cars to admire their reflections in mirrors, sometimes leaving scratches behind. Because of this, they may not be a good choice for people who own expensive or classic cars.
#5. Pink Flamingoes
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- Owning a flamingo is legal, but in most cases, you need a license. Spending $1,500 or more on one is just the beginning. These unique birds must eat a special diet of shrimp, molluscs, and red algae to keep their well-known pink colour.
- Flamingos also make a big mess, so regular cleaning is a must. No matter how much room they have, they will always leave reminders that they are nearby. While they may seem fancy standing on one leg, taking care of a pink flamingo is expensive and requires a lot of effort.
#6. Ayam Cemani Chicken
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- It’s surprising to find a chicken on this list, but the Ayam Cemani is not just any chicken. While chickens are found all over the world, this rare breed is special.
- Like other hens, they lay eggs, but since they aren’t made of gold, it might take a while to get back the $2,500 you spend on one. Additionally, these chickens are not very motherly, so their eggs usually need to be incubated.
- The Ayam Cemani is a rare Indonesian breed known for its all-black appearance.
- This is due to high levels of melanin, which make its feathers, skin, comb, wattles, and beak completely black with a shiny, iridescent look.
- While bird enthusiasts from around the world import them, their main breeding hub is in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
#7. Toucan
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- Because of Fruit Loops, many people don’t take Toucans seriously. However, in the bird world, Belize’s national bird is one of the most exotic species.
- With its unusual body shape and large, colorful beak, wealthy bird lovers are eager to own one. Some are willing to pay up to $9,500 for the opportunity.
- Unfortunately, this bird is restricted in many countries, and if you manage to get one, you’ll probably need a license.
- Toucans also require a vet who specialises in their care and a large outdoor aviary that feels like their natural home. Their diet includes special foods like papaya, mango, lizards, and even ground beef!
- Even though owning a Toucan comes with challenges, the reward is a playful and affectionate pet.
#8. Hycinth Macaw
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest flying parrot in the world. It comes from South America and stands out with its bright blue feathers. It can grow over three feet long from head to tail.
- Owning this bird is very expensive. Because of its large size, strong body, and wide wingspan, it needs a tough cage, solid perches, and a specially built aviary to stay healthy in captivity.
- But for those willing to spend $40,000 on one, these extra costs may not be an issue.
- Unfortunately, this amazing bird is becoming endangered due to habitat loss and illegal trapping.
#9. Black Palm Cockatoo
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- The Black Palm Cockatoo is a tall bird with dark gray feathers and bright red patches on its head. It comes from the rainforests of New Guinea and Australia.
- These rare birds are independent and not always friendly, but they can be trained and tamed to become great pets. Owning one costs around $16,000.
- Once they get used to people, cockatoos need daily interaction with their human family. They are fearless birds that require a confident and experienced owner.
- They are also very smart, can follow commands, and even learn simple tricks.
- Male Black Palm Cockatoos are known for using tools. They tap sticks on trees to check if they are hollow and good for nesting. If the stick breaks, the bird keeps the pieces to use in its nest.
#10. Racing Pigeons
(Source: a-z-animals.com)
- Let’s be honest—sports fans and collectors have spent huge amounts of money on racing pigeons. In 2019, one buyer made headlines by paying $2.2 million for a three-year-old female. The bidding started at just $275 and lasted for 14 days!
- Sadly, pigeon racing is not a fair sport. These birds are bred only for competition and often lose their lives in the process.
- They are released to fly hundreds of miles, not to win, but to return home.
- Owners and breeders carefully train and control their behavior, turning them into racers that compete out of instinct rather than choice.
- The international market for top racing pigeons is highly competitive wherever the sport is popular.
#11. Oriole Bird
(Source: mytour.vn)
- The Oriole is known for its bright colors, usually black and yellow or black and orange, with some having white markings.
- These birds are shy and like to stay high in trees, making them hard to see. However, their loud whistles and sharp calls make them easier to hear.
- Orioles mostly eat insects, but some also enjoy fruit. They are commonly found in forests and gardens, especially in warm areas.
- The European Oriole is about 24 cm long and can be found from Central Asia to India. It has bright yellow feathers, black wings, and dark eye spots.
- The African Oriole looks very similar, while the one from the Himalayas to Indochina is unique with its deep red color instead of yellow.
- One of the most amazing things about Orioles is their hanging nests. The female spends 5 to 8 days building the nest using strong materials like grass, weeds, animal hair, and twine.
- These nests usually hang about 30 feet above the ground from the ends of tree branches. Even though they look fragile, they are very strong and can be reused when the birds return from migration. The price of an Oriole is around $850.
#12. Queen’s Bulbul
(Source: mytour.vn)
- The Queen’s Bulbul is a rare and valuable exotic bird. It is easy to recognise because of its white crest, white neck, and bright red eyes.
- This bird is popular for its sweet song and low-maintenance care. Some rare types are especially expensive.
- The price of a Queen’s Bulbul can range from several million to hundreds of millions of VND, with some costing around $12,000.
- Adult Queen’s Bulbuls grow between 13-15 cm long, with females being slightly smaller than males.
- They have red ear patches, a golden-brown underside, and a dark head with a sharp crest. Their beak is slim, and their legs are short and not very strong.
- Males and females look alike, while young birds look similar but do not yet have red feathers.
- In North America, these birds gather in large groups during the non-breeding season, forming communal roosts from July to January.
#13. Svarlet Macaw Parrot
(Source: mytour.vn)
- The Scarlet Macaw is a large and brightly colored parrot. Bird enthusiasts love it and it is even the national bird of Honduras.
- This beautiful parrot has a long, colorful tail and a nearly featherless, creamy-white face. Its body, wings, and tail are covered in bright red feathers, with green and yellow highlights on its wings. It also has a strong beak that helps crack open hard nuts found in tropical forests.
- Scarlet Macaws live in areas from southern Mexico to Peru, as well as in Bolivia, eastern Brazil, and Trinidad.
- They prefer tall trees near rivers and are often seen in large, noisy flocks. When fully grown, they can reach up to 85 cm (33 inches) in length and weigh around 2 kg (4.4 lbs).
- These parrots are highly intelligent, beautiful, and quick learners. With proper training, they can do tricks and even imitate human speech.
- They are energetic, playful, and enjoy spending time with their owners. However, they can be quite loud and love being the center of attention. A well-raised Scarlet Macaw can cost between $6,000 and $7,000, making it an expensive pet for those who want to own one.
Most Popular Foods for Exotic Birds of All Time
#1. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds.
- Black oil sunflower seeds are among the most popular bird foods. There are different types, but they all come from the same plant: Helianthus annuus.
- Birds must crack open the shell to reach the seed inside, which creates waste in and around feeders.
- If feeding birds these seeds, it’s important to clean feeders and the surrounding ground often.
- Birds with strong beaks that can break open the shell prefer these seeds. Some species include cardinals, grosbeaks, finches, sparrows, chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, grackles, and blackbirds.
- Black oil sunflower seeds are the second most popular food for birds at feeders.
- Of the 98 species that visit feeders in North America, 72.4% (71 species) enjoy these seeds.
- Most birds remove the shell before eating, but some, like wild turkeys, quails, pigeons, doves, and pheasants, eat them whole.
#2. Cracked Corn
- Cracked corn is dried corn that has been ground into smaller pieces. It is a budget-friendly food option that works well when combined with seeds high in oil.
- The size of cracked corn pieces varies. Larger pieces may be difficult for small birds to eat, so that they might avoid it.
- Nearly 49% of the 98 species that visit feeders in North America eat cracked corn. It is a favorite of doves, pigeons, quail, jays, finches, and sparrows.
- However, cracked corn also attracts larger, aggressive birds like starlings, cowbirds, grackles, and house sparrows. Some bird lovers avoid cracked corn to prevent these birds from dominating feeders.
#3. White Proso Millet
- White Proso Millet is a tiny seed available in golden, red, and striped varieties. It comes from the plant Panicum miliaceum and is commonly known as Hog Millet or Broom Corn Millet. In addition to being bird food, millet flour is used for baking gluten-free products and brewing alcohol.
- Birds that eat millet: Approximately 42% of the 98 bird species that visit feeders in North America eat millet. Small birds such as native sparrows, buntings, finches, and cardinals love it. Larger birds like doves, grackles, blackbirds, and quails also eat millet.
- In Florida, painted and indigo buntings prefer pure millet.
Mealworms
- Mealworms are an excellent food source for birds. They are the larvae of the Tenebrio molitor beetle and can be purchased live or dried at pet stores. Some bird lovers even raise their mealworms to provide fresh food.
- Birds that eat mealworms: Many birds eat mealworms, but insect-loving species like woodpeckers, titmice, robins, chickadees, wrens, orioles, and warblers particularly enjoy them. Mealworms are especially useful for attracting Eastern and Western bluebirds.
- Around 38% of North America’s feeder-visiting birds eat mealworms.
#4. Milo (Sorghum)
- Milo, also known as sorghum, is a type of grass grain. It is often included in cheap birdseed mixes, though it lacks the nutritional value of other seeds. Bird enthusiasts often mix milo with more nutritious seeds like black oil sunflower seeds.
- Birds that eat milo: Many birds eat milo, especially if nothing else is available. Blue jays, cardinals, grackles, blackbirds, sparrows, and finches consume it readily. Less picky species like doves, quail, house sparrows, and starlings will also eat milo. Squirrels and raccoons are also attracted to it.
- Approximately 33% of North American feeder birds eat milo.
#5. Peanuts in the Shell
- Whole peanuts in the shell take longer for birds to eat since they have to crack them open, but they stay fresh longer.
- Some believe that peanuts in the shell retain more nutrients than shelled peanuts.
- Birds that eat peanuts in the shell: About 32% of North America’s feeder-visiting birds eat whole peanuts. Birds with strong beaks, like jays, crows, and magpies, love them. Some birds even store peanuts for later. Chickadees, woodpeckers, and nuthatches also enjoy them.
#6. Safflower Seeds
- Safflower seeds are produced by the safflower plant (Carthamus tinctorius). They resemble black oil sunflower seeds in shape and size but have a pale color and a bitter taste. They have become more popular in North America as a bird food option.
- Birds that eat safflower seeds: Birds with strong beaks, such as northern cardinals, grosbeaks, white-crowned sparrows, finches, titmice, and woodpeckers, can break open the hard shell.
- Some people claim that squirrels and aggressive birds like grackles, starlings, and house sparrows avoid safflower seeds, but this varies by region.
- Around 26% of North America’s feeder-visiting birds eat safflower seeds.
Conclusion
Birds can be great pets for families, but if you’re spending thousands of dollars ($) on one of these rare species, it’s important to have some experience first. Birds need special care, and if you’re paying a lot of money to get one, you should first learn how to take care of it the right way.
Sources
FAQ.
Which bird is the richest in the world?
The most expensive bird in the world isn’t a rare parrot or an exotic species—it’s actually a racing pigeon! These birds can sell for incredible amounts of money, especially if they come from top-quality bloodlines. The highest price ever paid for a pigeon was $1.9 million for a bird named New Kim, which was sold in Belgium in 2020. Wealthy buyers, particularly from China and the Middle East, spend huge sums on these pigeons because of the prestige and potential prize money in racing competitions.
Saisuman Revankar
Saisuman is a talented content writer with a keen interest in mobile tech, new gadgets, law, and science. She writes articles for websites and newsletters, conducting thorough research for medical professionals. Fluent in five languages, her love for reading and languages led her to a writing career. With a Master’s in Business Administration focusing on Human Resources, Saisuman has worked in HR and with a French international company. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and singing classical songs. At Coolest Gadgets, Saisuman reviews gadgets and analyzes their statistics, making complex information easy for readers to understand.
