Is feather plucking covered by insurance?

It is complicated. If the cause is medical (skin infection, zinc poisoning), yes. If it is purely behavioral (boredom), some policies exclude it. Nationwide's top plan often covers behavioral therapy.

How much is parrot insurance?

For large birds (Macaws, Cockatoos), premiums range from $20 to $40 per month. Smaller birds (Cockatiels) are cheaper.

Do I need an avian vet?

Absolutely. Birds hide illness until they are dying. You need a Board Certified Avian Vet for proper care.

Parrot Insurance: Guarding Your 60-Year Investment

Buying a large parrot is like buying a luxury car that lives for 80 years and has the emotional maturity of a toddler. They are significant financial commitments.

A Macaw can cost $3,000 to buy, but their medical bills can easily exceed that in a single week.

🦜 Top Avian Health Costs

1. Heavy Metal Toxicity

Birds chew everything. Ingesting lead (paint, fishing weights) or zinc (cages, jewelry) is common.

The Procedure: Chelation therapy (stripping metals from blood).
Hospitalization: ICU stay for 3-7 days.
Cost: $1,500 - $3,000.

2. Egg Binding (Dystocia)

Like reptiles, female birds can get eggs stuck.

Urgency: Life-threatening emergency.
Treatment: Hormone shots, manual removal, or surgery.
Cost: $800 - $2,000.

3. Aspergillosis

A fungal infection of the respiratory tract. Common in African Greys.

Treatment: Months of anti-fungal meds, nebulization, possibly surgery to remove fungal plaques.
Cost: $2,000+ over the treatment course.

4. Broken Bones

Birds have hollow (pneumatic) bones. A bad landing or being stepped on is catastrophic.

Repair: Setting a wing or leg often requires external fixators (pins).
Cost: $1,200 - $2,500.

🧠 Behavioral Coverage: The “Plucking” Clause

Parrots are prone to self-mutilation (feather plucking) due to stress or medical issues.

The Diagnostic Hunt: To rule out medical causes, a vet runs bloodwork, X-rays, and skin biopsies ($800+). Insurance covers this.
The Treatment: If it’s behavioral, you may need psychotropic meds (e.g., Haloperidol) or environmental modifiers. Check your policy to see if “Behavioral Therapy” is included.

🕰️ The Lifespan Argument

Why insure a bird? Ideally, it outlives you.

Re-homing Checkups: Birds often change owners. Insurance ensures that if you have to re-home your bird, they come with a health history and coverage (if transferrable), making them more adoptable.
Inflation Hedge: Veterinary costs rise 5-10% a year. Locking in a policy now protects you from the vet prices of 2040.