How Much Are Sun Conures at PetSmart? Your Full Cost Guide
How Much Are Sun Conures at PetSmart? Your Full Cost Guide
By Viola R Daigle | Published 14 April 2026 | Updated 11 November 2026
Sun conures are the sunbeams of the parrot world. They are loud, bright, and full of love. If you see one at PetSmart, it is easy to fall for it fast.
But before you pay, you need the real numbers. The bird is only the first cost. This guide covers the PetSmart price, the setup, the monthly bills, and the long-term cost.
Sun conures at PetSmart usually cost between $600 and $900, though some stores list them as low as $450. The bird is only the start. A cage costs $200 to $500, food runs $40 to $60 a month, and a first vet visit costs $100 to $250. Breeders often charge $500 to $800, while rescues ask $150 to $300.
Contents
- Sun Conures at PetSmart: The Current Price Tag
- Why Prices Vary by Location
- What Is Included in the PetSmart Purchase?
- Initial Cage and Setup Expenses
- Monthly Food and Nutrition Budget
- Toy and Enrichment Requirements
- Health Checks and Vet Fees
- Comparing PetSmart to Local Breeders
- Adopting from Rescues vs. Buying New
- Understanding the Sun Conure Temperament
- The Loud Reality of Owning a Conure
- Long-Term Financial Commitment
- Final Verdict: Is PetSmart the Right Choice?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Sun Conures at PetSmart: The Current Price Tag
At PetSmart, a sun conure typically costs between $600 and $900. The price shifts with your region and with demand. Some stores list them as low as $450 during rare sales.
Those low prices are now rare, and the price has risen over the last few years. You pay for the bird plus the store overhead. Always call your local store before you go.
Stock changes daily, and these birds sell fast. Ask what is in store today so you do not make a wasted trip.
Why Prices Vary by Location
PetSmart prices are not the same in every store. A shop in New York City will likely charge more than one in rural Ohio. Shipping costs and local demand both play a part.
If sun conures are popular in your area, the price shows it. Supply matters too, since a store that struggles to source healthy birds charges more for the ones it has.
Some stores cut the price if a bird has sat there for a long time. It never hurts to ask the manager about older stock.
What Is Included in the PetSmart Purchase?
When you buy a sun conure at PetSmart, you buy just the bird. Do not expect a free cage or a month of food. Most stores give you a small cardboard carrier for the ride home.
That carrier is only for the trip, not for daily life. You also get a basic health guarantee, which usually lasts 14 days. If the bird falls sick in those two weeks, PetSmart often covers the vet visit.
Read the fine print before you leave the store. Know what the guarantee covers and what it does not.
Initial Cage and Setup Expenses
The bird is the cheap part of the deal. A proper sun conure cage costs between $200 and $500. Sun conures are active and need room to flap their wings.
A small starter cage is a waste of money. Look for a cage at least 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 36 inches tall, with bar spacing of half an inch to five eighths of an inch. Wider bars can trap a bird's head.
Budget for perches made of natural wood in varied widths. Plastic perches can cause foot sores and vet bills later. Add bowls, a cover, and cleaning tools to your list.
| Setup item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Sun conure at PetSmart | $600–$900 |
| Cage (24"x24"x36" or larger) | $200–$500 |
| Perches, bowls, cover | $50–$100 |
| First vet exam | $100–$250 |
| First toys and food | $60–$100 |
Monthly Food and Nutrition Budget
Sun conures cannot live on seeds alone. A seed-only diet leads to fatty liver disease and a short life. Plan to spend $40 to $60 per month on pellets and fresh produce.
Good pellets form the base of the diet. Add fresh vegetables each day, such as bell peppers, kale, and sweet potatoes. Fruit is a treat, not a meal.
Too much sugar makes a bird hyper and nippy. Fresh water must be changed daily, and bowls must be washed each day.
Toy and Enrichment Requirements
Sun conures have beaks like bolt cutters. They love to chew, shred, and destroy what they touch. Budget at least $30 per month for new toys.
With no toys, they chew baseboards or furniture. Focus on foraging toys, which hide food and keep smart brains busy while you are at work.
Rotate toys each week to stop boredom. A bored sun conure is a screaming sun conure, so toys are not a luxury here.
Health Checks and Vet Fees
PetSmart birds come from large-scale distributors. They are often exposed to breathing problems and other illness. Your first stop after PetSmart should be an avian vet.
A standard well-bird exam costs between $100 and $250. Regular vets often will not see birds, so you need a bird specialist. Specialists charge more than a normal vet.
Budget for yearly blood work to catch problems early. Birds hide illness until it is almost too late, so early checks save lives and money.
Watch for common health problems such as breathing infections, PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease), feather plucking, and parasites. Any of these signs means a vet visit, not a wait-and-see.
Comparing PetSmart to Local Breeders
| PetSmart | Local Breeder | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $600–$900 | $500–$800 |
| Taming | May need a longer taming period | Hand-raised, used to people |
| Health records | Limited | Detailed |
| Best for | A quick, easy purchase | A more social pet |
PetSmart is quick and easy, but is it the best choice? Local breeders often sell sun conures for $500 to $800. Breeders usually hand-raise their chicks.
A hand-raised bird is used to people and less likely to bite. PetSmart birds may have sat in a glass box for months with little human touch. That can mean a longer taming period at home.
Buying from a breeder often gives you a more social pet. You also get detailed health records, while PetSmart records are limited. Before you decide, compare the full cost of a sun conure across sellers.
| Feature | PetSmart | Private breeder |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $600–$900 | $500–$800 |
| Socialization | Hit or miss | Usually high |
| Health records | Limited | Detailed |
| Availability | Immediate | May have a waitlist |
Adopting from Rescues vs. Buying New
Thousands of sun conures sit in rescues across the country. People buy them, then find they are too loud. Adoption fees are usually much lower, from $150 to $300.
That fee often includes the cage. You save a life, and many rescue birds are already trained and social. Some may carry past trauma or bad habits, though.
Be ready for a challenge if you adopt. Ask the rescue about the bird's past, its noise level, and its health before you commit.
Understanding the Sun Conure Temperament
These birds are nicknamed "Velcro birds" for a reason. They want to be on you, with you, and inside your shirt at all times. They are sweet but very demanding.
If you want a bird that sits quietly in a cage, do not buy a sun conure. They also go through "bluffing" in puberty, with lots of nipping and testing.
Steady training is a must. Without it, they will run your home with an orange iron fist. Learn how much a sun conure costs in time and care too, not just in money — and read what a sun conure is before you buy.
The Loud Reality of Owning a Conure
Sun conures are among the loudest small parrots. Their scream can reach over 100 decibels. If you live in an apartment, do not buy this bird.
They scream when they are happy, hungry, or lonely. They scream when you leave the room. It is a high, piercing sound, like a fire alarm going off many times a day.
Make sure everyone in your house can live with that noise. See how loud a sun conure is and how to keep a sun conure quiet before you decide.
Long-Term Financial Commitment
A sun conure can live for 20 to 30 years. That is a huge commitment. Over its life, you will spend over $15,000 on food, toys, and vet care.
The PetSmart price is just the entry fee. Think about where you will be in twenty years. Will you still have time and money for a loud, needy bird?
Many birds outlive their owners' interest. Be sure you are ready for the long haul before you bring one home. A baby sun conure costs less up front, but the lifetime bill is the same.
Final Verdict: Is PetSmart the Right Choice?
Buying from PetSmart is fast and easy. If you want a bird today, they are your best bet. But you pay more for that speed, and the bird may need extra taming.
If you have patience, look at a good breeder or a rescue first. You may get a calmer bird for less money. Check whether Petco sells sun conures too, and where you can buy a sun conure near you.
If you find "the one" at PetSmart, go ahead — but only if you are ready for the cost. Your life is about to get more bright and much louder. A sun conure can live 20 to 30 years, so read how long sun conures live first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are sun conures so expensive at PetSmart?
PetSmart has high costs for staff, shipping, and store upkeep. It also buys birds from large distributors, which adds to the final retail price. That is why the price runs $600 to $900.
Can I negotiate the price at PetSmart?
Mostly no, since prices are set by the company. If a bird has sat in the store for months, though, a manager may cut the price to move it. It costs nothing to ask.
Do sun conures go on sale at PetSmart?
It is rare, but some stores list them as low as $450 during sales. Check with your local store and ask about Treats member deals before you visit.
Is the PetSmart health guarantee worth it?
Yes, but it is short. It usually covers 14 days only. Take your bird to an avian vet within the first 48 hours to check its health while the guarantee still holds.
Does the price include DNA sexing?
Usually no. PetSmart rarely knows if the bird is male or female. An avian vet charges about $50 to $70 for a DNA blood or feather test.
How much does a sun conure cost per month?
Plan for $40 to $60 a month for pellets and fresh food, plus about $30 a month for toys. Vet visits are extra, so keep a small fund for check-ups and emergencies.
Disclaimer: Prices change by store, region, and season, so always call your local PetSmart for the current price. This guide is general care information, not veterinary or financial advice. See an avian vet for health concerns.
Viola R. Daigle
I'm Viola R. Daigle, a dedicated Internet Marketer. I work with WarriorPlus as a Vendor and Affiliate, and I’m also an Affiliate on JVZoo and Legendary Marketer. My passion is to provide honest and detailed reviews of Internet Marketing (IM) products and software. I love helping people choose the right tools and strategies to grow their online business with confidence.
