How Much Does a Sun Conure Cost? Complete 2026 Price Guide
Sun Conures are one of the most visually striking small parrots in the world. Their blazing orange and yellow plumage makes them instantly recognizable, and their affectionate personality has made them one of the most popular medium sized parrot species in the US pet trade. But before you commit, you should know exactly what a hand raised Sun Conure costs, why prices vary so much between sources, and what your first year of ownership actually looks like on paper.
What is the average price of a Sun Conure in the USA?
A hand raised baby Sun Conure from a working US aviary typically sells for $500 to $850 in 2026. Median pricing sits around $600 to $700 for a DNA sexed, fully weaned baby with health documentation. The current listing at Mo’s Birds Sun Conure page starts at $599 for a hand fed baby. Pet stores and third party marketplaces often mark birds up 40 to 100 percent, pushing the same bird to $900 or more.
Sun Conure price by source
Where you buy your Sun Conure changes the price dramatically, and it changes what you actually get for that price.
- Direct from a hand raising breeder: $500 to $850. Best quality bird, full documentation, direct relationship with the person who raised the chick.
- Pet store: $800 to $1,500. Higher price, less traceability, often no direct communication with the original breeder.
- Online marketplace (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace): $300 to $600. Highest risk. Many scams. Verify with live video before any payment.
- Bird rescue or rehome: $200 to $500 adoption fee. Older bird, often with existing behaviour patterns. Emotionally rewarding but requires patience.
- Parent raised or untamed adult: $300 to $500. Significantly cheaper but requires months of taming work if you want a bird you can handle.
Why do Sun Conure prices vary?
Two Sun Conures advertised at the same price can be very different birds. Here is what genuinely justifies a higher price.
Hand feeding time. A well raised chick has been hand fed with warm formula from around 3 weeks of age through full weaning at 10 to 14 weeks. That is 8 to 11 weeks of daily labour on top of the food and vet costs.
DNA sexing. Sun Conures are not visually sexually dimorphic. A DNA sexing certificate adds $50 to $100 to the bird’s price and should always be included in a professional listing.
Health screening. Reputable breeders screen for PBFD, avian polyomavirus, and chlamydia. Vet paperwork should be available on request.
Age at purchase. Weaned babies (10 to 16 weeks) command the highest price. Adults and rehomes are typically less expensive but require more patience.
Sun Conure vs Green Cheek Conure: price and value
Most Sun Conure buyers also consider Green Cheek Conures. Green Cheeks cost less and are dramatically quieter.
| Attribute | Sun Conure | Green Cheek Conure |
| Baby price | $500 to $850 | $275 to $600 |
| Noise level | Very loud | Low for a conure |
| Colour | Bright orange and yellow | Green with maroon tail |
| Size | 12 inches | 10 inches |
| Apartment friendly | No | Yes |
For a full comparison of these two species side by side, see our Sun Conure vs Green Cheek Conure guide. And if noise is a specific concern for your household, the Green Cheek Conure noise breakdown runs the honest decibel comparison.
Real first year cost of owning a Sun Conure
The bird is just the starting number. First year ownership adds another $800 to $1,600 on top of the purchase price.
- Cage: $250 to $600 for a proper conure cage (minimum 24 by 24 by 36 inches)
- Perches, bowls, and initial toys: $100 to $250
- Food (first year): $300 to $500 for pellets, vegetables, and treats
- Avian vet first year: $200 to $500 including well bird check and follow up
- Emergency fund (recommended): $500 minimum
- Shipping (if buying out of state): $200 to $500 via cargo
Warning signs of an underpriced Sun Conure
Sun Conures advertised for $150 to $300 from a supposed breeder are almost always a red flag. Real hand rearing costs the breeder more than that in formula alone. Common patterns of trouble:
- Refuses a live video call before payment
- Insists on wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- Vague or shifting shipping location
- Offers unweaned chicks to novice buyers
- Photos identical to those on other breeder websites
How long does a Sun Conure live?
Sun Conures typically live 20 to 25 years in captivity with proper care, and some individuals reach 30. This is a two to three decade commitment. For the full lifespan picture across parrot species, see our parrot lifespan by species guide.
Where to buy a Sun Conure the right way
At Mo’s Birds we hand feed Sun Conures in Southern California from around 3 weeks of age, DNA sex every bird, provide full health documentation, and support you long after the sale. Every bird ships nationwide via Delta Cargo. To see the current listing or reserve a baby, visit the Sun Conure product page, or browse the full conures category page if you are still choosing between species. To see currently available babies across all species, visit the Mo’s Birds nursery page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Sun Conure worth $600?
Yes, if it is a hand raised, DNA sexed, health tested baby from a working aviary with real documentation. That price reflects roughly 10 to 14 weeks of daily hand feeding plus lab and vet costs. Anything much lower usually skips one of those steps.
Are Sun Conures loud?
Yes, very. Sun Conures are one of the loudest small parrots kept as pets, reaching over 120 decibels at close range. They are not recommended for apartments or shared walls. If noise is a concern, consider a Green Cheek Conure instead.
Can you keep a Sun Conure in an apartment?
Not recommended unless you have neighbour agreement and detached walls. Sun Conure contact calls carry through most apartment walls and can trigger noise complaints within days.
Do Sun Conures talk?
Some do, most do not. Sun Conures may learn a small vocabulary of 10 to 20 words and phrases, but they are not reliable talkers. Choose a Sun Conure for personality and colour, not for speech.
How much does a Sun Conure cost per month?
Around $50 to $100 per month for food, toy replacement, and vet fund contribution. Emergency vet visits sit on top of this.
What is the difference between a Sun Conure and a Jenday Conure?
Jenday Conures (Aratinga jandaya) are close relatives with green wings and back, orange breast, and yellow head. Sun Conures are more solidly orange and yellow overall. Jendays are usually slightly less expensive and often quieter, though both are loud compared to Green Cheeks.